Prednisone

July 20, 2008

I have been on methotrexate for at least 6 years, no side affects from it. Also

Remicade, cant say it has been a problem either. The methotrexate definitely

gave me a new lease on life. I am not familiar w/ the Humira to speak on it.

Really as far as BAD affects, I've only had side affects from the prednisone,

but that was due to large doses at one time. I can tell whenever I have to

raise the dose. And the pred again does me a world of good, I could not live

anywhere near as close to a normal life w/o it. Yes, it also makes me " moodier,

hot flashes, hotter natured, insomnia " -or maybe that's when I forget the

Premarin.

Hang in there and keep pestering your doctor until you find something that helps

YOU.

It's out there, it may take time to find it. Don't forget the non-medical

aspects of managing this disease too. They are JUST as important-pace yourself,

rest, make your tasks easier, prioritize, what is important to YOU and go for

it.

I have had RA since I was a teenager. My mother had very symptomatic SLE, she

passed away at 69. My RA is fortunately not bone invasive, but is widespread

(almost all joints) and also affects my kidneys, lungs, eyes, and CNS. I am by

nature a very active " outdoorsy " athelete and a mixed animal veterinarian. The

RA became much more active about 6 years ago and took away alot of my physical

abilities, but life is certainly still very rewarding, I just can't take it for

granted and have had to make some pretty big compensations for the disease.

(Like learn to say NO!)

Best of luck to you.

From: shannonvc <shannonvc@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Prednisone

Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 10:21 AM

Shandi...I am worried about all they meds that I have recently been

on but I have seen that a lot of people say they are on prednisone

long term and nothing about the other meds. I am currently still in

pain but the rh doesnt want the dosage on the pred to be over 10mg a

day. She had me on 15mg for 2 weeks but she is doesnt want me to go

any higher for right now. she wants to see when the other meds start

working. I am on 8 pills for mtx plus humira. she also has me on

folic acid for the ill effects of mtx. this whole thing make me feel

stupid and i really cant research since i can only spend some much

time typing. my RA started in my wrists and hands and moved thruout

my body. thanks for your info and help - it means a lot to me. i

feel so alone in this and it is getting overwhelming. also thank you

for the part about pred and hormones. i often feel like it messes

with my hormones. i get like hot flashes and moody. almost like my

time of the month. noone has said anything about that.

> >

> > From: patandpaula <patandpaula@ sbcglobal. net>

> > Subject: Re: [ ] Prednisone

> > @gro ups.com

> > Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 12:54 PM

> >

> > , I would say the lack of appetite is the plaquenil, I a m

no

> expert but if you stay on Pred only a month, you should be ok. But

> Ive been on it seven months and can't get off; I hate it and wish I

> had tried other drugs first. a

> > [ ] Prednisone

> >

> > Hey gang! Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible! My

rh

> dr

> > put me on prednisone two weeks ago trying to get the swelling

under

> > control. No dice! I've gone through the first two weeks and he

> wants to

> > extend it another two weeks. I have heard about becoming

dependant

> on it

> > and was wondering what it was all about? And one other thing. I

am

> not

> > sure if it is the plaquenil or the pred. but I can go hours and

> hours

> > with no appetite at all and then at some point I feel like I need

> food

> > NOW! It is almost like I had gone days without food. I eat a

little

> > bit and it is over. Any ideas anyone?

> >

> > wendy []

> >

July 20, 2008

Methotrexate and Humira are great drugs for RA. Of course they don't

work for everyone, unfortunately. Hopefully they will work for you, and

you'll need to take the prednisone just for a few months until the

other drugs kick in.

Sue

On Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 09:17 PM, shannonvc wrote:

> I was just diagnosed RA in Feb 08 and my rh put me on prednisone

> right away because celebrex and stuff wasnt working. I am guessing I

> should be concerned?????? The drs havent said anything about

> dependence on it and the glaucoma issues. I am taking prednisone,

> methotraxate and humira. Is there better meds I should be taking.

> Any information you could supply me would be great. Thank you so

> much -

July 20, 2008

You definitely can get moody from prednisone. Once I hit about 8MG I turn

into a rabid female dog I snap, I feel like I am ready to bust out of my

skin...and I get active and want to clean everything. You can get hot flashes

and flushing. None of this isn't at all uncommon. And yes, prednisone does

have a lot of common side effects. With that said, as I stated before, there

are definitely exceptions. But I also agree with doctors that less is best.

Since it is a hormone, you definitely don't want more than you need because of

the effects. I feel most doctors are aware of this and are careful with

prednisone. The key is low dose.

My son is a type 1 diabetic so I know there are particular issues in regards to

steriod drugs and certain illnesses. He has had to have prednisone a few times

to help with poison ivy and it seriously drives up his blood glucose levels.

Information is key, but with any medicine we can't let the side effects

overwhelm us. Of course, this is coming from someone who will not be put on

Rituxin because the warnings scare the heck out of me. So take it with the

grain of salt

Shandi

From: shannonvc <shannonvc@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Prednisone

Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 11:21 AM