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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bigiblue 09/13/2009

I know we have gone around this Mountain many times, but how many and what dose of Pred do you all take? What does your Rheumy say about the side effects and how do you all feel about taking it.? I have been on it off and on. I start with about 30mg and taper down to 5mg and then nothing for a while. I have said I will never go on it ever again, but I am in so much pain in my legs that I can hardly move and rarely sleep at night. I keep thinking of the bottle in my med cabinet and then crab a Tylenol instead. I am so sick of all of this. I am off mtx right now too because of my tooth and am on antibiotics. So that's probably why I am in more Pain right now. Anyway, what do you all take for Pain?

deleted_user 09/13/2009

Was on prednisone up to 60mg for about a month, then tapered down and have not been on it for a few months. Did work miracles, but got over emotional!! And had bad sleep problems. Currently take enbrel and cymbalta. Have to have an ultram or vicodin about every other day after work. If you are in that much pain, I would take the prednisone again. Hope you feel better soon. Erica

deleted_user 09/13/2009

Does Ultram do anything for you Erica? My first rheumy gave it to me and I honestly thought I'd do better with a sugar pill. I too am in your boat Bigi - my rheumy talked about adding prednisone to my regimen after this last flare-up. Unfortunately, I gain weight like a fiend on it and I am the most hyper person in three states on it, can't sleep. But, it does help the pain, unfortunately. Erica, what dose of vicodin do you take? I'm pretty narcotic naive - as in 1 mg of Dilaudid caused me to stop breathing once... No repeat of that experience desired, thanks.

Bigi, also watch the Tylenol with RA meds - so many of ours affect the liver and Tylenol can have a big impact on your liver combined with our meds. You'd do better with an NSAID, probably, if you don't have one.

Jen in VA

bigiblue 09/13/2009

wickedday

I had to get off the mtx until I get my tooth pulled on the 29th. I am on keflex, so my Rheumy wanted to stop the mtx. I do take Relafen, but the Ultram has also not helped with the pain, so I take one Tylenol. My Liver Enzymes came back normal again, from 122 down to 35. I think it was the pred that shot it up, b/c I was still on Mtx when I took the test, but off the Pred.
I am covering all my bases.I see my Rheumy on wed, I'll see what she says then. Thanks for your Concern. Thats why I like this site.
bigi

deleted_user 09/13/2009

I've taken up to 40 mg of prednisone a day - down to 25 mg right now. It did provide relief for me within a few days of starting the medicine. On the highest dose I was having problems with tachycardia. It wasn't until recently that my face starting swelling. My rheumatologist wants me to taper down to 5 mg a day. However, I've had some obstacles with taking methotrexate so it's difficult to taper down on the pred when nothing else is helping. I'm hoping to restart the mtx again soon. At my worst, my GP gave me Lortab for pain and helped tremendously. My rheumatologist gave me Ultram for pain, but it doesn't seem to help at all - in fact I think it often triggers headaches for me. Taking the prednisone before 9 a.m. seems to help me with the insomnia problems.
Best wishes and I hope you get some relief quickly!

deleted_user 09/13/2009

I am on 30 mg of prednisone, although I really want to taper down soon. Prednisone is a necessary beast in my life. I go off of it for a few months but then the pain becomes overwhelming and I have to go back on. In addition to the prednisone I take ibuprofen (800 mg tablets) and hydrocodone (5-15 mg, as needed) for the pain. I also weekly Enbrel injections.
Kate

deleted_user 09/14/2009

Hi bigi, My rheumy has provided me with instructions to take a step-down course of prednisone if I am flaring badly. I dont take prednisone regularly, but when I'm in the grip of a mega-flare, I take 15mg for three days, 10mg for three days and then 5mg for three days, then stop taking it.

I take Tramadol for pain and its usually when the pain meds are no longer effective, that I start taking the prednisone course. Each time it has broken the back of the flare, which I've been really thankful for. I'm also glad to not be on prednisone all the time because I too suffer with the side-effects of it; but in short, quick doses, it's been great.

I hope you get some good pain relief and feel better soon. Cheers.

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