You might have inflammation in your sacroiliac joints. I do, and it bites. It's not muscle spasm, but it feels like it- grabs if I move the wrong way.

I haven't heard about prednisone causing low back pain. That might be one of those things that was on a list because somebody reported it once, with no proven causality and no significant numbers of people reporting it.

If you have been on prednisone for 3 months, you will need to wean off it slowly. It could help; it could hurt. What does your doctor think?

i go with altoclef. RA can definitely affect sacroliliac joints. i do get lower back pain. i dont know if it is muscle. but i use heating pads 2-3 a day and at bed time everyday for my neck and back. it sure helps. and i do some slight stretches too.
i dont know if prednisone causes low back pain.
you should try to wean off prednisone as it is not good for long term use. but you gotta do it very slowly.

I thought that I would just way in here. I agree that there are many causes of low back pain and that most people experience it at some time or another. But I had low back pain while I was on prednisone. I blame the prednisone because it seemed more like pain caused by extreme muscle fatigue not really a joint related thing. I could hardly walk from my office to my car because my muscles would give out. Now that I am off of the prednisone I don't have those issues. (Just regular OA and RA pain lol.)

that is *weigh* in not *way* in. Long day.

Thank you all for your replys. I havent had back pain and it started after diagnosis of ra. I havent asked dr. About prednisone because i only found out about it today. I will ask him on the next visit. I am convinced.its from prednisone.

Will give you my experience, everyone is so different. I've got two spine surgeries under my belt and as it goes we get in tune with our "normal" as far as pain and muscle spasms. The RA definitely brought on more muscle spasms for me. As far as the Prednisone, when I started tapering to below 5 mg and here after, still on a slow taper, it increased muscle spasms and low back pain. It doesn't sound common and my Dr. didn't think it should happen , course they go straight to the surgery, but I can tell you it is different and new from the Pred.

Dean,

Prednisone really isn't very good for your body long term and if you are convinced this medication is at the root of the problem, perhaps you should inquire about the best way to taper off this medication.

If you can live without this med everyday, you will be happier in the long run even if it isn't the culprit of your back problems.

I see a win/win situation here if you can do without Prednisone.

I hope for the best for you!

Be well,
TheWino

I have to lower back pain. Couple herniated discs & messed up SI joint.
I can say since RA DX it's far more painful.
My Rhuemy thinks the RA does not play a role in this but I wonder.
If there is inflammation caused by the RA it can't be helping the lower back problems.
Can hurt to high heaven & sitting at times is really painful. Standing up & taking a step once this starts is a bugger.

Never felt the Prednisone caused any additional problems but we are all different.
Hope this is easily solved for you. Don't need another painful problem.
Sammy