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...
I've just completed 2 weeks of 10mgs prednisone every morning, and it REALLY helped. My knees and hips don't hurt, and the stiffness in my hands is at least 70 percent better. Most important, I've been able to function walking up and down stairs, getting in and out of the tub -- I was so happy that I was able to chop an onion again!
That said, my rheum says she's glad I had some relief; now it's time to taper it off. Down to 5 mgs this week, 2.5 next week, and then quit. So my question is, do the results of the Prednisone LAST for anyone? I know everyone is different, but it seems to me the minute I stop taking it, it's all going to come back. And if it does, what is the point of using drugs like this at all? I know some people stay on prednisone for a long time; is this because this is the only way they can get any improvement in their symptoms?
I am a complete newbie to steroids, as you can tell.
Thanks,
Julie
That said, my rheum says she's glad I had some relief; now it's time to taper it off. Down to 5 mgs this week, 2.5 next week, and then quit. So my question is, do the results of the Prednisone LAST for anyone? I know everyone is different, but it seems to me the minute I stop taking it, it's all going to come back. And if it does, what is the point of using drugs like this at all? I know some people stay on prednisone for a long time; is this because this is the only way they can get any improvement in their symptoms?
I am a complete newbie to steroids, as you can tell.
Thanks,
Julie
I should mention that I also take 400mgs of Celebrex daily and Im scheduled to start on Methotrexate next month when I return to my Rheumy. I will remain at the 5mgs until then.
For me at 25mgs/day I still felt a little achy but all-in-all better than I had in a LONG time. To answer your question, I dont know if its all in my head but I notice a difference within a day of taking the reduced amount.
Wishing you all the best
You need to have a discussion with your doctor about THAT! You need to be on a biological and methatrexate, if you are not.
If the pred was for a flare, chances are good you will be fine if you are on something else when you withdraw.
Yes, you hit the nail on the head- the potential side effects of prednisone ARE worse than those of the biologicals. Prednisone's nasty side effects are more common, too. For instance, the most scary side effect of the biologicals is probably lymphoma, but that is exceedingly rare. Prednisone can cause easy bone breakage (trust me- I've broken three bones in the past two years, likely due in part to prednisone). It can seriously mess with your metabolism and cause diabetes. And it can increase your risk of infection, same as the biologicals. Plus, the biologicals are proven to actually slow the progression of RA much better than prednisone.
For most of us, prednisone is the miracle drug we call in when a bad flare has us begging for mercy. If I have a tough time with just one joint I will have a cortisone shot, but if my whole body is inflamed I will do a two week prednisone dose pack. Sometimes it does come righ back when the two weeks are up. But at least it's a chance to break the pain cycle.