Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Prednisone

cindyleb
cindyleb
Hi all.... am I being a fool for not giving in, or is it a good thing that I am trying to hold out????

I weaned off prednisone last spring and haven't been back on it since. My Rheumy offers it, my GP doesn't want me on it. I am hurting now since Dec when I had to go off my meds for illness.... missed 2 weeks of mtx and 1 dose of Humira.... I am sure this weather is not helping matters either.

I do not like Prednisone.... it makes me moody, I cry, I get fatter, I can't sleep.... BUT my joints feel better and I know it would help me right now with how I am feeling. I take nothing for pain but an occasional Ibuprofen, and I limit those... I fear the damage it may cause.

Any thoughts?
Cindy
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've tried weaning off prednisone several times. Don't like it as it brings back memories of my brother when he took it for cancer...a battle he eventually lost. And like you have found some weight gain too. But every time I try to stop, I start hurting again...and as soon as I go back on, everything is better again. Now I've decided I'd rather minimize pain because being in pain affects so many other aspects of my life. I'd rather deal with a few extra pounds that I can work on through diet and exercise.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Cindy. I am currently weaning off Prednisone and really struggling. I keep crashing and then having to go up a dose to try Nd come down slower again. It's nutso. I am new to all this RA jazz but what I find baffling about Prednisone is that it masks so much pain you don't really know when on it how your RA pain level is really doing??? For example I thought all was fine and dandy on Methotrexate about week 10 then tapered slightly down on Prednisone to immediately crash/burn/flare -- or unmask the pain that had been there all along. So confusing and frustrating. I wonder what some of the folks who refuse Prednisone take instead. Hug to you Cindy. It's reay a pickle. ;(
Lori57703
Lori57703
RAinthewoods- I don't take prednisone because I am actually allergic to it and dexamethasone so it has never been an option for me. I take my MTX, folic acid, Aleve and Tramadol. I usually only take the Tramadol when I go to bed so I can sleep but sometimes I have to take it during the day to function. I NEVER take it when I am working. I am a nurse and just don't feel right taking something that could affect my decision making.

I hurt most days. Some days I have to walk with a cane. It sucks but it is what it is. As for weaning off of it that is an individual decision. Are the side effects/risks worth the relief it provides? Can you function without it?

I agree about the pain meds. Why do you take only ibuprofen? There are other options out there if you have issues with ibuprofen specifically. You should not have to be in so much pain everyday that you cannot function.

I hope you find what makes you feel better soon.~Lori
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have also tried to get off the prednisone but I find that then I hurt so bad that it really affects my life. I have gained 70lbs since starting but I hurt a lot less and this allows me to be there for my family a lot more. I take an NSAID 2x a day plus MTX, Humeria, and Tylenol or Percocet as I need it. It is a personal decision. I just know that every time I try and wean off I feel like crap all the time.