Not sure if everyone does, but I know it prescribed a lot for the inflammation. My Dr. started me out at 40 mg, then weaned me down to 2.5 maintenance dose. It helped a lot with the tenderness. CB

I would think the answer is that everyone does, for the most part. I was on it for a year....took a long while before I was weaned off of it.

The rheumie started me on Prednisone to calm the flare I was in when I saw her. She said she wanted the inflammation to calm down and then we will talk about treatment.

I take it when I'm in a flare and my regular medication isn't working. In other words it's my back up but not something recommend for regular ongoing treatment because of the side effects.

http://RA=SS.blogspot.com

Hi, I have just been dx with RA a few weeks ago, and the pain is getting so bad. I am on Panado Osteo 6 per day and I am on Prednisone for 5 days - only 10mg. It is day 3 and seems to be helping. What happens after you go off the Prednisone after day 5.
And when do you go back on them? I am new to all of this.

I was initially given a short course of prednisone as a kind of test- if prednisone doesn't make you feel any better, you probably don't have an inflammatory condition. Since then I've insisted on only using prednisone when I am having my worst flares. Prednisone does work like a charm for me, but I am not willing to risk the numerous side effects, including high blood sugar, swelling, weight gain, and an increased risk of fracture. Plus, I feel like it's another mask- it makes you feel much better but does not stop damage from occurring.

I was put exclusively on prednisone in the beginning, and on it for 6 more years with mthx. . It is the worst drug I was ever on, and I have unbelievable damage from that time. It really just masks symptoms.

I haven't taken it in 5 years, and I have mostly recovered my mind and my life. Let's see, besides the bipolar diagnosis for mood swings, oestoporous, excessive perspiration, which hasn't stopped, it is did not even work. Oh yes, and I gained 80 lbs, of which I have lost 70. I think this drug is used because it is cheap not because it is effective.

I have refused to take it for fear of the side effects and major problems it can have with fungal infections. I have finally broken down and have just started taking one 5 mg pill at the start of a bad flare and it seems to stop them so it feels like a wonder drug. I have only done this 2 x in the past 7 days so I am hoping that my dose is low enough that I don't experience any side effects and but still get the great benefits!