Is it possible for you to go into your Dr earlier, to see if you can be put on a different biologic? I wanted to avoid the prednosone all together, but did need to take it for a short (2 weeks) period of time, until my biologic kicked back in.

I was on prednison 3 months before the worst side effects came. I became manic, an insomniac, a sleep walker among other things. I wish I didn't overdo it then because now it seems like I get the side effects within 3 days of starting even a low dose of prednisone. Maybe my system changed or somehow it's still in me but unfortunately I can't use it for even the worst flares now.
Incidentally, they may take you off the Mobic if they add prednisone. I know 2 rheumys who do that so if you like your Mobic and it helps stick with that. I was taken off Mobic recently but given the highest daily dose of etodolac (Lodine). It's wotking wonders at the moment along with my Enbrel.

I will not take prednisone unless my symptoms are so severe they are causing me to be unable to take care of my personal needs.
It is a Godsend during those times but it's hell putting up with weight gain, anger, insomnia, etc, and takes forever to wean off.

2leftfeet-- I can't get in to see the doc any sooner. It's a new location-booked solid. But I did discuss Enbrel vs humira and she said there's no difference really.

AtHomeNow, Humera, Enbrel, (and Cimzia) are all TNF drugs. For whatever reason, I had to go through all three, required by insurance (since they know best) before I could move on. Hopefully, you will find the right combo soon.

I only use prednisone in short bursts. Not interested in long term side effects.

Welcome to the Land of No Good Choices. Prednisone has all sorts of potential side effects. Narcotics are addictive and do nasty things to your GI system. NSAIDs chew up your stomach, thin your blood, and may be linked to adverse cardiovascular events. What's the best option? Just cowboy up and live with it, even though the pain makes you hate everything and everybody?

Each of us has to make our own decisions.

Personally, I have been taking daily prednisone for over three years now. Starting with 7.5mg, I reduced it to 5mg for a couple of years and am now taking 2.5mg. The last time I saw my rheumy she suggested going back up to 5mg for awhile. It didn't make enough difference for me to make me want to assume the additional risk, so I stayed at 2.5mg. From talking to doctors other than rheumys, 5mg seems to be a dividing line. Anything above that for long makes them nervous, less than that is seen as not too big a deal if you really have to take it, and 5mg itself is a grey area- a "not insignificant" dose in my PCP's words.

If you don't like the idea of prednisone, would a smaller dose of MTX be an option?

I thank everyone for their responses. Pain is not the issue. I can deal with my pain so far. Feeling like crap and fatigue are the big problems. Yes, I'm thankful I don't have to go to work. Yes I'm thankful the judge approved my disability (haven't seen it yet, but it's coming). But needing my bed for 48 hrs in a row per week (and often more) with no rhyme or reason as to when-is awful. The nausea, leg aches etc hit me frequently. I've gained so much weight. I'm good for two minutes on the elliptical, so I try that. Ah well, I'm bitching to the choir. I know. Thanks.

if you can continue to pass on the pred, do so. it is the greatest of all the symptom maskers. anything that interferes with the adrenal system at any amount chronically is a nice pass, if you are able. neither my rhematologist nor my pcp will write for it in anything but either a bridge (rheum) or an urgent or emergency care (pcp). the pcp uses it also for my pneumonias and lung infections. if I don't take it, I end up in the hospital at those times. did you notice how the disease vaporized? it sucks when the lungs get better and the body goes south again, truly my own personal reason to despise pred. :).

i am sorry the enbrel did not work. it is probably just time for you to try the biologic behind curtain number 2. can your rheumie sink up the biologic with another dmard other than mtx? what is that one called leftunomide (avara, spelling?)?

there are 20 nsaids, maybe you could bail off mobic and try another, if you are lucky enough to not have allergies, this is if your rheumie office will call in on the phone, unlike narcotics.

your rheumie said one tnf is as good as another? really?, that's weird. I took enbrel for a year, then transitioned to humira for a year. even though they are both anti TNF's I was told by the rheumie that often one will work on a person where another will not (they are not the same drug with different names).

I can see where you bailed off mtx because of recurrent infections. i went through that with the lung crap also. alto had a good idea. what was your dose? was it like 6 to 10? maybe your rhem would dose 2 to 4?

i hope the office will call YOU first if there is a cancellation. can you camp out in their lobby?

welcome

depot