Hi izzy. I'm new to this myself so the only thing I can tell you is that it was because I tried to wean myself off prednisone that it was discovered that I had RA. I was on prednisone for fibromyalgia (which made no sense but that's what worked) and whenever I tried to wean off it I got considerably worse and new joint pains every time. Now I'm on Plaquenil and Methotrexate AND Prednisone and I have to wait at least four months for the first two take effect before I can start weaning prednisone again. Sometimes I think all my pain is just because I was trying to wean myself off prednisone. Maybe that's a withdrawal thing... But I say that because I really am in denial about this RA. I keep thinking its got to be something else. Anyway... enough about me... lol... Just wanted you to know you have company... Let's hope we're the lucky ones and flare rarely.

HI henrietta.Thanks for your reply.I have just started on sulfasalazine and prob should wait for that to kick in before i start decreasing my pred.I know what you mean about denial Ra sucks and its hard to get your head around it.But i wont be beaten!!.How are you getting on with plaquenil im due to start it but im wary as had terrible side effects with methotrexate and had to stop it.

Hi izzymimi, well... I'm doing fine so far I guess. No change in the pain level but its only been two weeks. All I know is the doctor said that Plaquenil and Methotrexate were still a better option than prednisone. sigh... Anyway... maybe you could check with your doctor to see if you should wait to wean yourself off prednisone... I'm sure going to miss prednisone because it just fixed every single thing that was wrong with me and gave me energy to boot! Not fair. Life is just not fair. How is the sulfasalzine doing for you? What are the side effects of that? I guess we'll all end up being encyclopedias of drug information by the time we're well into this thing... lol

Hi Henrietta.Yeah i agree we will end up been a encyclopedia of drug info!!.So far i have been ok on the sulfasalazine no nasty side effects!! i think i will speak to my RA nurse on Monday and increase my pred till the sulfasalazine kicks in.Take care.

Hiya, Hen & Izz !!
I've been on Pred for a while now and it helps (me). But had a recent flare (or could be something else, who knows - see my journal entries for explanations) and am now on, I THINK, the Sulfasalazine thingy. I really dunno. I just said, ok. I'll take whatever it is you're giving me that's gonna make me feel better... but right now, I'm not feeling it. Better that is.

And denial. I'm ALL about Denial ! Like, could it be Fibromyalgia, Doc? Nope, your RA factor determines it. and you got "IT". Great. Are you sure? Can I get a 2nd opinion? (yeah, like I said that to one of the leading Rheumies in the city)!!

:hugs; It gets better. The denial, nah ...it doesn't. But the pain usually does. With good docs and good SUPPORT!!!

Hi!! I am experiencing the same problem with prednisone. I was great on 5 mg but now I am on 2.5 and my hands ache, its so irritating. My doc told me to stop prednisone completely after 4 weeks on 2.5mg but I don't think I can. I also thought that 5mg and under was an ok dosage to be on for a while. I have been on pred for 9 months I think :0/ I was actually thinking I was going into remission (wishful thinking) but I try not to think about that. I was diagnosed in Oct. 2009, I am not in denial but I fluctuate between acceptance and depression. This is no fun at all but at least we have each other!