Love it when I need it, wouldn't want it long-term though. Welcome back. Trish

Glad you're feeling better

Be well
Bluedogs2

So happy you are back - sorry about the hellish weekend. : (

Glad you have a fast-acting doc - that is wonderful. Hope you have relief as long as possible!

Prednisone is good when needed but I was on it all the time for a few years and now I am insulin dependent diabetic... the dr said it might of been the prednisone that help push me over. So be careful.

Hi RCross,
I've been on 10mg/day for the past few months. It was not an easy decision, but it seemed like I was getting desperate and ending up doing a dose pack every few months anyway, and I don't think all that up and down was dong me any good. So I decided (with my rheumie) to stay on until something else starts working. I'm trying Actemra as soon as my insurance approves it. For me, staying on the maintenance dose has meant I can work full time again after managing only three days per week all winter. Sounds like you're in a similar bind. I hope you find some relief soon!
Caren

Have to agree, steroids are a rock and a hard place. But when I can't get out of bed because of the pain and stiffness, I sure appreciate them.

I'm the same way, I hate the side effects of the 'miracle drug' but love the fact that within a few hours to a day of taking it I feel halfway normal. Last week I had a flare and took 3 tabs and within hours, the swelling and pain subsided to a level of tolerance. But then I was up all night walking the floor... I guess sometimes we have to take the good with the bad......

Steroids are the drug we love and hate but when you need it, it's magical. My Rheumy makes sure I have scripts for Prednisone and has
told me to use it when I have a flare but I try to stay away from it .

Prednisone is wonderful. And we love to hate it. I don't get much from the tapers, but the heavier doses are magic. I don't sleep so much, but that just gives me more time to do things that I can't normally do. What love hate relationship.

I have not been able to function without steroids. I could not tolerate prednisone so I have been on Methylprednisolone (Medrol) for 4 + years. I've tolerated it well but still have cataracts from it.

Huggs,
Joanie

I take them everyday but just 3 mg. but can't seem to get any lower. They are magic. Sometimes I have to go to dr. to get a shot of steriods if I have a really bad flare. glad your feeling better

Thanks everyone. It's really is a love/hate relationship with steroids.

I don't like the prednisone, but I'm hooked on cortisone shots. I couldn't live without them.

=)

Hi RCross, I am glad that you are feeling better. Yes, steroids can give us the boost that we need. That is one of the medications Solumedrol that I get before the Rituxan treatment 4 times a year (2 doses every 6 mths). This past time I was so uncomfortable in pain that I could not even feel the benefit of the Solumedrol. I like a doctor that responds quickly.