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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Prednisone Allergy

Lori57703
Lori57703
I suspect I may have RA or at the very least a significant issue with inflamation in most of my joints. I will see my PCP tomorrow morning. I cannot take methylprednisolone or dexametasone. I was given them two years ago and had a systemic reaction of rash and swelling of nasal passages and lips.

So, my question is do any of you have a problem with these medications and if you do what do you take? Thank you.
trishcorsi
trishcorsi
Prednisone proper I cannot take. It produces an acidic nasal drip that tastes metallic, and actually burns my lips; but luckily I can tolerate the methylpredisolone. Have you ask about straight Prednisone? Trish
Lori57703
Lori57703
Trish-thank you for the super fast response! I have not asked about staight prednisone but I will. I just read somewhere on here that someone had injections of prednisone or a derivative of it. That may be an option. I went to an allergist after the reaction and was negative on a skin test. He said he wasn't shocked as the allergy may actually be to a metabolite that forms after taking oral methylpredisolone. The only way to know for sure would have been to do an oral challenge and at the time I did not want to go through that.
Lori57703
Lori57703
Thank you Trish and 51percent. I appreciate your responses. I will definately discuss this with the rheumy. I'm pretty sure my doc will be refering me to one next week. I have no idea how long it will take to get in. Lori
lynnedavidson3
lynnedavidson3
I must stay away from all steroids. I am not allergic, have have noticed a reaction of a different type. Steroids seem to melt away bone grafts in my mouth.
It took a while to find a cocktail of meds, but now the meds help a lot. I am much better than when I was first diagnosed, so, try not to worry, you will feel better. My main meds are Humira, Arava, tramodol.