- Decadron

[Guest guest]

,

Given your concern about further weight gain, I'm not sure I would agree to

be on Decadron long term. I'll have to look it up, but at least 4 mg seems

like a low dose. What was your doctor's plan with this steroid? See if it

helps? Add it indefinitely? Take it to calm things down for just a few

weeks? Up the dosage if you don't improve? What? I don't know if you have to

stop this drug before your colonoscopy. Please ask your doctor.

What about Enbrel or Remicade? Maybe you could replace the Plaquenil with

one of those if your insurance will cover it.

As I've said in this forum before: in the year 2001, I don't believe that

beginning a long-term steroid course is appropriate for RA when we have so

many other, safer options.

I know that feeling you describe about loss of control. Even though you

can't determine what your body is going to do from this point forward, you

DO have choices about what physicians you see and what medications you agree

to take. That part's not easy though because it is sometimes hard to know

which doctor to trust and when it is safe to disagree with their advice.

----- Original Message -----

From: <Mhynes123@...>

< >

Sent: Monday, April 30, 2001 10:36 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Stress reduction may cut high blood pressure

> ,

> My RD has asked me to start Decadron 4 mg 1 per day. I know this is a

> steroid. I

> really hate to start on these drugs. I have progression that won't slow

> down. I am so afraid of gaining weight. I have already gained 35 pounds

> this past year. I have never been this heavy and it triggers depression.

I

> have a colonsocopy scheduled for next Tues. Is this one of the meds I

should

> stop 7 days before this test? My RD said it was OK to continue the mtrx

and

> plaquinill.

> I feel like I have no control over any of this! Man! I hate this!

>