Guest guest Posted April 8, 2001 Report Share Posted April 8, 2001 I've been meaning to comment on this, Me Mom. I think Rainy and Debs have done the right thing in cautioning you about a rapid prednisone decrease. It is much more than just a matter of increased pain if you lower the amount you are taking. Because you have been taking the prednisone for so long, your body is probably no longer producing the same hormones in the same amounts that it used to - your adrenal function can become suppressed. Also, the absolute amount you lower the dose by doesn't matter as much as the relative amount. That is, if someone like Debs is going from 200 mg down to 195, she is only attempting a 2.5% reduction. If you go from 10 mg down to 9 mg, even though that is only a 1 mg difference, you are attempting a 10% reduction. Going from 7 mg to 6 mg would be over a 14% reduction. As you get the total amount you are taking closer to zero, you are hoping that your body begins to take over and do what it used to do without the prednisone. It can be VERY difficult for your body to do that. It can take months and months for normal adrenal function to be regained. It is also EXTREMELY dangerous to quit the prednisone cold turkey, so don't even think about it, OK? ----- Original Message ----- From: " Ruf-Caimi " <ruf-caimi@...> < > Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 9:42 AM Subject: Re: [ ] Me Mom / Prednisone > Hi Rainy, > I agree with you but the problem is I can't fight infections. The Rheumy > said the RA won't kill me but one of these infection could. His main > concern is building the immune system. I thought it was too fast to but he > told me to call him, he will deal with the pain. I am afraid if I get > another infection it won't go away. I stated out at 7 1/2 last monday, > today I dropped it too six. Last week it was dropped to 7. I don't know > if I will get past the 6 though. I do notice a difference, there is more > pain. > Thank you for your concern. I hope you saw the post I sent in about > another woman getting pancreatitis right after an infusion of remicade. > I'm not trying to scare or worry you, I just wanted you to know in case you > didn't feel well. They are not sure it was from the remicade and my Rhuemy > doesn't want her to take it again but she is demanding it. So I guess she > is going to get it. I don;t know if I would do that or not. > Have a good day, > Me Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2001 Report Share Posted April 8, 2001 Hi , I want to answer your other e-mails. Today is my daughter Cherylynn's birthday dinner so everyone is coming over. Anyway, I am planning to call the Rheumy tomorrow, I don't want to drop the prerdisone any more, I am hurting to much. I want to see what he says, maybe he has another plan. It is very hard for me use my hands, let alone how much the rest of me hurts. After dinner I am going to try to get on and read all the e-mails. Have a good Sunday, Me Mom Matsumura wrote: > I've been meaning to comment on this, Me Mom. I think Rainy and Debs have > done the right thing in cautioning you about a rapid prednisone decrease. It > is much more than just a matter of increased pain if you lower the amount > you are taking. > > Because you have been taking the prednisone for so long, your body is > probably no longer producing the same hormones in the same amounts that > it used to - your adrenal function can become suppressed. Also, the absolute > amount you lower the dose by doesn't matter as much as the relative amount. > That is, if someone like Debs is going from 200 mg down to 195, she is only > attempting a 2.5% reduction. If you go from 10 mg down to 9 mg, even though > that is only a 1 mg difference, you are attempting a 10% reduction. Going > from 7 mg to 6 mg would be over a 14% reduction. > > As you get the total amount you are taking closer to zero, you are hoping > that your body begins to take over and do what it used to do without the > prednisone. It can be VERY difficult for your body to do that. It can take > months and months for normal adrenal function to be regained. It is also > EXTREMELY dangerous to quit the prednisone cold turkey, so don't even think > about it, OK? > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: " Ruf-Caimi " <ruf-caimi@...> > < > > Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 9:42 AM > Subject: Re: [ ] Me Mom / Prednisone > > > Hi Rainy, > > I agree with you but the problem is I can't fight infections. The Rheumy > > said the RA won't kill me but one of these infection could. His main > > concern is building the immune system. I thought it was too fast to but > he > > told me to call him, he will deal with the pain. I am afraid if I get > > another infection it won't go away. I stated out at 7 1/2 last monday, > > today I dropped it too six. Last week it was dropped to 7. I don't know > > if I will get past the 6 though. I do notice a difference, there is more > > pain. > > Thank you for your concern. I hope you saw the post I sent in about > > another woman getting pancreatitis right after an infusion of remicade. > > I'm not trying to scare or worry you, I just wanted you to know in case > you > > didn't feel well. They are not sure it was from the remicade and my > Rhuemy > > doesn't want her to take it again but she is demanding it. So I guess she > > is going to get it. I don;t know if I would do that or not. > > Have a good day, > > Me Mom > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2001 Report Share Posted April 10, 2001 Hi ,glad you had a nice time with your family. I know it takes a toll on us but family gatherings are worth it. I am back up to 5mg Prednisone but if this is what it takes to keep me mobile,then I will accept(for now). What type of book are you writing? This is so cool. Hugs June Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.