Started with the steroid pack for 10 days in September then on 5mg one-two times per day still currently. I havent really had negative side effects. My doctor says I should be on twice a day for better pain relief but I just normally take it once for I am worried about weight gain. I am already obese and so I just put up with what pain relief I can get with one.

I so wish I could take the steroids to see how they would help me! I cannot take oral steroids because of a previous systemic reaction. Full on body rash and airway swelling. For a little while I actually had Angelina Jolie lips!

On them right now for a flare. Other than during a flare I don't take them. Not crazy about the sleeplessness and general feeling of being amped up, so I only take them on an as needed basis. Trish

I have twice had the large dose tapering to 5 Mg. Was on 2.5 to 5 Mg for the better part of two years. Side effect were a daily crash similiar to caffienne, on going nausea, equillibrium issues, weight loss, loss of concentration, not to mention the hidden damages. Helped a ton for the inflammation and the lupus butterfly rash on my face but the bad finally won out over the good. Driving to and from work an hour each day with equillibrium problems & the daily crash where I felt like I was run over by a trucking then toppling it off with not being able to finish simple reports in a timely fashion put me over the top.


I went to humira every 10 days along with mtx weekly and that increase in the humira bridged the gap and no longer need to take unless a really evil flare decides to stop by for a visit. I will then take a 5 Mg 1-2 times a day for maybe 2 days then stop. Seems to be working so far so I will ride this horse till it bucks me.

It is a wonder drug for us and I hope you are able to continue daily use without bad sisde effects.

I was on continuous 1-2mg dosage of prednisone for three years. Then I became prone to stress fractures, monthly cycles went chaotic, got bad hot flashes and toenails got white and thick.

Went off it and everything cleared up. Still being careful about bones in my feet. I only take it during really bad flares when I can't even use a limb. I try to wean off quickly because hot flashes start up again on third or fourth day of usage.

my ra effects my lungs. so when hospitalized and i have pneumonias, i must take it to heal breathing. i accept it with a shrug as no choice. then it is very high dose to taper.

for the RA flares and RA treatment in general? I do not consider it a treatment for myself. thus, no packs, no low dose, i have constant pain rather than a see saw of palatable versus flare. i am terrified of my body's steroid rebound to flare and swelling. it messes with my mind. i agree that is a huge effort to incorporate this swelling and pain into my work life and family life. even the rheumie talks at me and through me when I am in a flare. i also understand that I am probably making permanent damage. agreed. we all have voices in our closets. my mom died of adrenal disease and the way I feel after tapering off prednisone makes me feel desperate to get back to that place where I did not have that level of pain. i do not like that feeling therefore i choose this path for me. it keeps me mentally sane :)

i truly rejoice for all of you that your intermittent use or tapering or low dose treatment has been is and will be successful for you! I wish it was a tool in my choice chest. but tis not. But i support you in this choice to live the best life you can.

hugs

Ros

I started with 5mg a day last March while waiting for Arava to begin working. Had a bad reaction to Arava. Upped Pred to 10 mg a day to bridge the gap waiting for Imuran to kick in. Bad reaction to Imuran continued to use Pred while waiting for appointment with Rheumy. Right now I am using Cellcept and attempting to wean myself off of the Pred.

I have gained at least 30 lbs, bruise easily, have terrible hot flashes. Weaning off is no fun either but it must be done.

Prednisone is a love hate thing.

I was on 10 mg for about 3 years but then things started to go wrong... like drug induced diabetes, and pre-glaucoma to glaucoma ... well the diabetes stayed but the glaucoma cleared up. So now I am back on it seven years later...for just a very short time... I am only taking 5 mg for 2 months then I am off with the hopes that the others drugs will kick in enough...but I have all four doctors watching... my heart seems to be affected by RA also... my heart murmur with this last flare seems to be so much more stronger and some chest pains which may mean inflammation. What is really strange is that my fasting blood sugars had been up for the last 2 years like 135 to 140 with A1c being 6.3 to 6.5 (my dr wasn't worried about them) and before it was 90 to 100 with A1c being 5.9 to 6.1... slowing climbing... but since I have started my prednisone only 3 weeks ago... with in the first week my blood sugars came back down to the 90 to 115 daily...I know this is true because I log my blood sugars daily and keep the logs for a couple of years. I was always told that prednisone will make blood sugars go up....but maybe not for me with the low dose. No chest pain for a few weeks also.... Everyone is so different when it comes to meds.

I was on it until the plaquenil kicked in and then tapered off. I kind of agree with Ros........I'd rather put up with a little extra pain then go back on it. Today my fingers have been bothering me and I have a heating pad wrapped around them most of the time. Rheumy wants to start MTX this spring. I haven't decided yet.
sherrie

I had a course for the last flare where it was 20mg/day for one week and then 10mg/day for a week. I actually cut the second week early to go down to one pill before stopping.

I was going to see if I could get a step-down pack every Christmas because it sure made the break better.