Guest guest Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I would like to second what Anjillah says. I took prednisone for eight years because I had a lousy rheumatologist who just gave up on me, so I self-medicated on prednisone as the only way I knew to carry on working. After eight years, I got my wake-up call. I scraped my shin on a beach lounger, and what should not even have been a graze turned out to be a really nasty wound requiring 23 sutures. My skin, as thin as tissue paper, just sheared, leaving a triangular skin flap with no viable blood supply. The wound got infected and refused to heal, so I was referred to the plastic surgeons, who booked me in for a skin graft in two week's time. In the meantime, a friend recommended a new rheumatologist, who assured me that I wasn't a lost cause and patiently helped me to come off the prednisone. It took about nine months, and it was a hard struggle, but we made in in the end and I'll never look back. I took MTX and was able to carry on working until I took an early retirement in 2001. Prednisone would be a real wonder drug were it not for its widespread and potentially lethal side-effects. Incidentally, my new rheumatologist advised me to cancel my appointment for skin grafting. He said that it would take time, but would heal in the end - and he was right. Of course, I was left with a scar, but so what! In all, I stayed with my rheumatologist for 8 yeard until I moved out to France. It took me a while to form a relationship with a new one out here, but I eventually managed it and am getting the best care imaginable. M Re: [ ] Re: ON THE WAR PATH Hi, I just want to add my 2 cents. Please be careful with the prednisone the side effects can be terrible. I know, I have been on it for many years and I have all kinds of side effects. I never took that much of it either. However, I have cataracts, bone problems, hump back, and different body changes. I also have a severe breathing disorder called atelectasis where I can't breathe too well when I walk or get stressed. I can't use oxygen either, that won't help. I am always very short of breathe and it is from the prednisone and it is a very terrible thing to deal with. Please be careful with how much you take, it is not candy. It is more dangerous then a lot of other meds. Sincerely,Anjillah @aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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