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...
Does anyone else find that Prednisone causes mood changes such as irratibility and making you feel down?
I know it can push you either way - into Euphoria or Depression but this is more being irritable and getting agitated.
I was very close to weaning off Prednisone but, because of a huge flare have had to up it for the time being.
Thanks in advance
I know it can push you either way - into Euphoria or Depression but this is more being irritable and getting agitated.
I was very close to weaning off Prednisone but, because of a huge flare have had to up it for the time being.
Thanks in advance
I have heard your story and have great respect for your advice and information. I know your feelings on Prednisone and my Rheumatologist would agree with you. He doesn't like to keep patients on it for more than a short time. However, because a CT body scan {done during the dx for RA} picked up a tumour on my kidney, my doctor preferred to waiti for the Urologist's OK to treat RA wih more aggressive medication. I have been taking MTX for 8 weeks and weaning off Prednisone. A huge flare prompted the higher dose of Prednisone to reduce inflammation in the immediate term, not as in disguising the flare. Under the health system here, the Rheumatologist has to show that 3 different medications have had no success before a biolgic can be prescribed. So it's a process of trial both for the doctor and the patient.
My Rheumatologist is held in high regard in our country and several countries overseas but he can't bypass the government directive. It is certainly not the intention to use Prednisone long term. I look forward to waning off it, believe me. I don't want to be taking it but nor do I want to be incapacitated and unable to function as I was a week ago.
I am so pleased you were able to eventually get off the cortisone and the anti-psychotics and have regained emotional stability. I just hope and pray I'll be there, too, as soon as it's possible.
The thought of possible kidney surgery in the near future is just one more thing I have to deal with. What a difference eight months have made to our life!!!! I am still trying to get my head around it all.