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...

2,179 Members
16,355 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Predisone and flares

Kimmey2
Kimmey2
The nurse from my rheumys office called me on Friday. She said he wanted to start me on a 6 day round of predisone until I start my treatment next month.

I started on Saturday. My rings are sliding on my fingers, so the swelling seem to be going down. However, my thumb is throbbing as well as my pointer fingers. Also, the left elbow is still burning. I know it's only been three days, and this is really my first round of treatment. I was just wondering does the predisone actually help with the pain and flare? or is it for swelling?
lionprincess00
lionprincess00
When I flare, it takes 20mg to bring me out, and it has once not been able to bring me out. It helps with pain and joint swelling. I have been on 10mg since late December, and on various amounts since October. I have been in constant all over pain in spite of 10mg, but not nearly as much as pain as being off. Now that I'm down to 5 as of Thursday night I am in more pain. So yes it helps pain and swelling, doesn't get rid of it completely, and it depends on the current dose. I'm willing to het if I was on 40mg right now, I'd probably be virtually pain free! I of course won't be on that high a dose nor do I want to be. Just saying the higher, the more relief. Remember it is only temporary. If your on a medol pack, also remember your tapering down so your pain will increase daily.
lionprincess00
lionprincess00
Bet and you're. Hate typing on this phone at times, please forgive the errors!
Thewino
Thewino
Kimmey,

I'm in another dang flare right now. My Rheumy has me on a tapering dose of Prednisone starting at 30mg. I asked to start at 40mg but they didn't agree.

To answer your question: the Prednisone helps me with the swelling and pain, thereby stopping the flare. I can actually see that the swelling went down.

As LionPrincess pointed out, with tapering doses, the swelling and pain gradually return for me as well.

Like Scotch, ice cream and now Prednisone, why does all the good stuff have to be bad for your body?

Take care,
TheWino
Kimmey2
Kimmey2
Thank you both :)

Its amazing, my neck pain and back pain are gone...which makes me happy. Still dealing with the thumb, finger and toe pain, but there is no swelling in my ankle are fingers.

My only side effect has been Ive been a little grumpy and not sleeping well. Only 3 more days on predisone, hoping the neck pain doesn't return.

Thanks again for the input, I alway appreciate it! :)