Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 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...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 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...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Faith, so sorry that your appointment was cancelled. This is really ludicrous, how can they just cancel like that, and then offer you one next month! I can't believe they take URGENT in this way! I would be on their butts, find another rheumy. Let us know, how your doing, and what's going on, Tawny > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Faith, so sorry that your appointment was cancelled. This is really ludicrous, how can they just cancel like that, and then offer you one next month! I can't believe they take URGENT in this way! I would be on their butts, find another rheumy. Let us know, how your doing, and what's going on, Tawny > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hang in there best you can....its like that everywhere I think. I am in the same situation, having been waiting on my very first Rheumy appointment since August of 2002, and after having them cancell and re-set the appointment 4 times now, I am scheduled for Feb. 10th. I am afraid to answer the phone anymore, expecting another cancellation, so I will ignore the phone and just go to the appointment on the 10th. It isnt happening to them so they dont care, I would LOVE to trade places with them for a day, and see what would happen. I have been in Bed for 4 months straight at times thruout this, and would wrather be dead than go there again, so I take enough Prednisone to keep me able to cope. I have decided I will just treat myself and will deal with the side effects of the prednisone, because it is the lesser of the 2 evils as far as I am concerned. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this... Deb in Salt Lake City > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hang in there best you can....its like that everywhere I think. I am in the same situation, having been waiting on my very first Rheumy appointment since August of 2002, and after having them cancell and re-set the appointment 4 times now, I am scheduled for Feb. 10th. I am afraid to answer the phone anymore, expecting another cancellation, so I will ignore the phone and just go to the appointment on the 10th. It isnt happening to them so they dont care, I would LOVE to trade places with them for a day, and see what would happen. I have been in Bed for 4 months straight at times thruout this, and would wrather be dead than go there again, so I take enough Prednisone to keep me able to cope. I have decided I will just treat myself and will deal with the side effects of the prednisone, because it is the lesser of the 2 evils as far as I am concerned. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this... Deb in Salt Lake City > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hang in there ya'll!!! I went for several years without insurance and no doctors at all. I got very sick several times and had to ride out the sicknesses. Was no fun at all. Now that I have insurance again....my wife's new job has excellent insurance...I am trying to get a referal to a Rhuemy doc. Also a good orthopedic doc, since I have severe OA also...all from injuries when I was a college kid playing football. My left knee is so bad...my last doc had no clue what to do for me, so I just wear my knee brace and take Tylenol. I got off Aleve because of the problems they say Aleve can cause also. Yeah....I took Vioxx, Celebrex, & Aleve...gezze..everything I took can kill me!!!! My regular doc says I ought to try Embrel??? Then I read all the side effects..said no thanks! I really pray for those of you who are bed ridden, and in worse shape than I am. I count myself lucky since I am still able to get around some. It is so wierd for me...I use to play 100 plus rounds of golf a year less than 5 years ago..was a 4 handicapper...now...I can't walk the length of a short Par 3 without stopping to rest along the way. I worked out at the gym 3 days a week and could work in the warehouse all afternoon at the store I worked in without even thinking about it. Now...a 30 minute stroll through Walmart puts me in bed to rest for at least 2 hours. Last time I had kidney problems and needed to see my Urologist, I called and they gave me an appointment in April. It was October!!!! I asked them, " So if I have a real problem with my kidney, should I just go to the emergency room? " They said... " I guess so. " I then asked the girl, " Is blood in my urine was reason enough for the doctor to see me...since my urine is blood red. Will he actually come to the hospital then? " Of course I got no answer, headed to the emergency room, and my Urologist actually came to see me!!!! Mighty nice of him to show up huh? Seems I had a kidney stone the size of a marble...over an inch in diameter...moving about in my kidney doing all sorts of damage. 4 operations later I was finally okay. So the Rhuemy docs are not the only ones who mess with ya. Just adding my 2 cents to the war path!!! Larry Deb <utahyooper@...> wrote: Hang in there best you can....its like that everywhere I think. I am in the same situation, having been waiting on my very first Rheumy appointment since August of 2002, and after having them cancell and re-set the appointment 4 times now, I am scheduled for Feb. 10th. I am afraid to answer the phone anymore, expecting another cancellation, so I will ignore the phone and just go to the appointment on the 10th. It isnt happening to them so they dont care, I would LOVE to trade places with them for a day, and see what would happen. I have been in Bed for 4 months straight at times thruout this, and would wrather be dead than go there again, so I take enough Prednisone to keep me able to cope. I have decided I will just treat myself and will deal with the side effects of the prednisone, because it is the lesser of the 2 evils as far as I am concerned. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this... Deb in Salt Lake City > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Hang in there ya'll!!! I went for several years without insurance and no doctors at all. I got very sick several times and had to ride out the sicknesses. Was no fun at all. Now that I have insurance again....my wife's new job has excellent insurance...I am trying to get a referal to a Rhuemy doc. Also a good orthopedic doc, since I have severe OA also...all from injuries when I was a college kid playing football. My left knee is so bad...my last doc had no clue what to do for me, so I just wear my knee brace and take Tylenol. I got off Aleve because of the problems they say Aleve can cause also. Yeah....I took Vioxx, Celebrex, & Aleve...gezze..everything I took can kill me!!!! My regular doc says I ought to try Embrel??? Then I read all the side effects..said no thanks! I really pray for those of you who are bed ridden, and in worse shape than I am. I count myself lucky since I am still able to get around some. It is so wierd for me...I use to play 100 plus rounds of golf a year less than 5 years ago..was a 4 handicapper...now...I can't walk the length of a short Par 3 without stopping to rest along the way. I worked out at the gym 3 days a week and could work in the warehouse all afternoon at the store I worked in without even thinking about it. Now...a 30 minute stroll through Walmart puts me in bed to rest for at least 2 hours. Last time I had kidney problems and needed to see my Urologist, I called and they gave me an appointment in April. It was October!!!! I asked them, " So if I have a real problem with my kidney, should I just go to the emergency room? " They said... " I guess so. " I then asked the girl, " Is blood in my urine was reason enough for the doctor to see me...since my urine is blood red. Will he actually come to the hospital then? " Of course I got no answer, headed to the emergency room, and my Urologist actually came to see me!!!! Mighty nice of him to show up huh? Seems I had a kidney stone the size of a marble...over an inch in diameter...moving about in my kidney doing all sorts of damage. 4 operations later I was finally okay. So the Rhuemy docs are not the only ones who mess with ya. Just adding my 2 cents to the war path!!! Larry Deb <utahyooper@...> wrote: Hang in there best you can....its like that everywhere I think. I am in the same situation, having been waiting on my very first Rheumy appointment since August of 2002, and after having them cancell and re-set the appointment 4 times now, I am scheduled for Feb. 10th. I am afraid to answer the phone anymore, expecting another cancellation, so I will ignore the phone and just go to the appointment on the 10th. It isnt happening to them so they dont care, I would LOVE to trade places with them for a day, and see what would happen. I have been in Bed for 4 months straight at times thruout this, and would wrather be dead than go there again, so I take enough Prednisone to keep me able to cope. I have decided I will just treat myself and will deal with the side effects of the prednisone, because it is the lesser of the 2 evils as far as I am concerned. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this... Deb in Salt Lake City > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 I have been scheduled for an earlier date..Feb 1 with an internist who has a subspecialty of rheumatology. ( not the original doctor) I will see how it goes on Feb 1, they have agreed to refer me out of network to another rheumatologist who said he could take me within 2 weeks time, if i am not satisfied. ( this other rheumy out of network has excellent reputation) I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease, I got the call from them shortly after emailing my primary care doctor about the problem. We'll see...one day at a time I guess. Thanks for letting me vent Faith -------------- Original message -------------- Faith, so sorry that your appointment was cancelled. This is really ludicrous, how can they just cancel like that, and then offer you one next month! I can't believe they take URGENT in this way! I would be on their butts, find another rheumy. Let us know, how your doing, and what's going on, Tawny > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 I have been scheduled for an earlier date..Feb 1 with an internist who has a subspecialty of rheumatology. ( not the original doctor) I will see how it goes on Feb 1, they have agreed to refer me out of network to another rheumatologist who said he could take me within 2 weeks time, if i am not satisfied. ( this other rheumy out of network has excellent reputation) I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease, I got the call from them shortly after emailing my primary care doctor about the problem. We'll see...one day at a time I guess. Thanks for letting me vent Faith -------------- Original message -------------- Faith, so sorry that your appointment was cancelled. This is really ludicrous, how can they just cancel like that, and then offer you one next month! I can't believe they take URGENT in this way! I would be on their butts, find another rheumy. Let us know, how your doing, and what's going on, Tawny > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 yikes and i thought I had it bad...darn you are patient girl!.. who gave you the predisone? I have no meds other than celebrex. Faith -------------- Original message -------------- Hang in there best you can....its like that everywhere I think. I am in the same situation, having been waiting on my very first Rheumy appointment since August of 2002, and after having them cancell and re-set the appointment 4 times now, I am scheduled for Feb. 10th. I am afraid to answer the phone anymore, expecting another cancellation, so I will ignore the phone and just go to the appointment on the 10th. It isnt happening to them so they dont care, I would LOVE to trade places with them for a day, and see what would happen. I have been in Bed for 4 months straight at times thruout this, and would wrather be dead than go there again, so I take enough Prednisone to keep me able to cope. I have decided I will just treat myself and will deal with the side effects of the prednisone, because it is the lesser of the 2 evils as far as I am concerned. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this... Deb in Salt Lake City > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 yikes and i thought I had it bad...darn you are patient girl!.. who gave you the predisone? I have no meds other than celebrex. Faith -------------- Original message -------------- Hang in there best you can....its like that everywhere I think. I am in the same situation, having been waiting on my very first Rheumy appointment since August of 2002, and after having them cancell and re-set the appointment 4 times now, I am scheduled for Feb. 10th. I am afraid to answer the phone anymore, expecting another cancellation, so I will ignore the phone and just go to the appointment on the 10th. It isnt happening to them so they dont care, I would LOVE to trade places with them for a day, and see what would happen. I have been in Bed for 4 months straight at times thruout this, and would wrather be dead than go there again, so I take enough Prednisone to keep me able to cope. I have decided I will just treat myself and will deal with the side effects of the prednisone, because it is the lesser of the 2 evils as far as I am concerned. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone in this... Deb in Salt Lake City > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 weeks to get) > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go postal. > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > Our health system is a mess. > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > Faith > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 I got the prednisone and methotrexate from my Reg. Dr. at the Clinic at our Local Hospital. They tried me on Bextra, Plaquenil, Motrin, Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, etc. etc. but they did nothing. The pred. is a " Magic Bullet " as far sa the Pain goes. I also have the Buffalo Hump, skin probs. Fat, and weight gain, Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Diabetes from it, and am now experiencing Breathing Problems, but I still would wrather have all this than go back to that PAIN again ever. The first 2 years I had no insurance so that explains that, and now finally I have at least Medicaid, but it limits what they can give me. I am hoping that after seeing a real Rheumy I may be able to try one of the Biologicals, but I dont have my hopes up too high.I had samples of Celebrex for awhile but now they took me off of it, and upped the pred. again. I suppose the bottom line is the Insurance, and if you dont have it, you dont count, you arent important and your Pain isnt real. I have also been told (before the diagnosis) that its all in my head. Its a hard road to travel, but just keep bugging them and sooner or later they have to hear you, dont they? Hmmmmm! Deb in Salt Lake City > > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a > half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy > appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they > CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to > think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 > weeks to get) > > > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go > postal. > > > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS > MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > > > Our health system is a mess. > > > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > > > Faith > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 I got the prednisone and methotrexate from my Reg. Dr. at the Clinic at our Local Hospital. They tried me on Bextra, Plaquenil, Motrin, Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, etc. etc. but they did nothing. The pred. is a " Magic Bullet " as far sa the Pain goes. I also have the Buffalo Hump, skin probs. Fat, and weight gain, Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Diabetes from it, and am now experiencing Breathing Problems, but I still would wrather have all this than go back to that PAIN again ever. The first 2 years I had no insurance so that explains that, and now finally I have at least Medicaid, but it limits what they can give me. I am hoping that after seeing a real Rheumy I may be able to try one of the Biologicals, but I dont have my hopes up too high.I had samples of Celebrex for awhile but now they took me off of it, and upped the pred. again. I suppose the bottom line is the Insurance, and if you dont have it, you dont count, you arent important and your Pain isnt real. I have also been told (before the diagnosis) that its all in my head. Its a hard road to travel, but just keep bugging them and sooner or later they have to hear you, dont they? Hmmmmm! Deb in Salt Lake City > > After spending most of my days in bed for the last month and a > half, I thought I was finally near some answers as my Rheumy > appointment was tommorrow. Just got a call from UCDAVIS and they > CANCELLED the appointment..offered FEB 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And to > think My original appointment was on an URGENT basis... ( took 3-4 > weeks to get) > > > > I AM BEYOND CRAZY at the moment.... and they wonder why people go > postal. > > > > I asked them to refer me to another doctor outside of the UCDAVIS > MED SYSTEM. I am waiting to hear what happens with that request. > > > > Our health system is a mess. > > > > JUST NEEDED TO VENT..will let you all know what happens. > > > > Faith > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Faith, I am so sorry - I just am overwhelmed that they would just cancel your appointment like that. Did they give you any kind of reason for it...was there some emergency... I would be asking them some big questions and telling them that this just isn't the time to be doing this... I wish there was something more I could do then to just commiserate with you. I have had Dr.'s decide not to take my insurance anymore and had to find another doctor but to cancel my appointment the day before - that is bad. I am in the process of trying to find another doctor. I think they should all be forced to take our insurance no matter what kind of insurance we have. I really don't care that they think the paperwork is too much to do. Oh well, my prayers are with you and I hope that you get some results soon. God bless, Althea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Faith, I am so sorry - I just am overwhelmed that they would just cancel your appointment like that. Did they give you any kind of reason for it...was there some emergency... I would be asking them some big questions and telling them that this just isn't the time to be doing this... I wish there was something more I could do then to just commiserate with you. I have had Dr.'s decide not to take my insurance anymore and had to find another doctor but to cancel my appointment the day before - that is bad. I am in the process of trying to find another doctor. I think they should all be forced to take our insurance no matter what kind of insurance we have. I really don't care that they think the paperwork is too much to do. Oh well, my prayers are with you and I hope that you get some results soon. God bless, Althea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Hi M,.....you live in France? What a beautiful place, would love to visit there some day. I'm glad that you have a good rheumatologist, what kind of meds are you on now? I have heard to many stories on Prednisone, that is why I choose not to take it. I did for a short time, and decided it wasn't right for me. What a time you had with it! Thanks for posting your story, so others can at least know problems in the future. Thanks, T --- In , " n Green " <marian.green@w...> wrote: > > 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...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Hi M,.....you live in France? What a beautiful place, would love to visit there some day. I'm glad that you have a good rheumatologist, what kind of meds are you on now? I have heard to many stories on Prednisone, that is why I choose not to take it. I did for a short time, and decided it wasn't right for me. What a time you had with it! Thanks for posting your story, so others can at least know problems in the future. Thanks, T > > 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...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 Yes, France is a very beautiful country and we are very happy here. The only medication I now take is Enbrel, which has changed my life. I have only been taking it for just over 4 months and it started working within a week. Up till then I had a lot of inflammation and joint nodules. I have had to take antituberculous treatment for the possibility of latent TB - only another two weeks to go, thank god, because the side-effects are getting worse by the day. I started off with isoniazid, but had to stop after 6 weeks because of alarmingly elevated liver enzymes - boy was I worried! Since then I have been taking rifampicin and pyrazinamide, of which I am heartily sick. I think that if I did not have such a wonderful rheumatologist, I wouldn't have stayed the course, but he thinks it's very important that I complete the 3 months and I couldn't bear to let him down. Bye for now, 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...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 Yes, France is a very beautiful country and we are very happy here. The only medication I now take is Enbrel, which has changed my life. I have only been taking it for just over 4 months and it started working within a week. Up till then I had a lot of inflammation and joint nodules. I have had to take antituberculous treatment for the possibility of latent TB - only another two weeks to go, thank god, because the side-effects are getting worse by the day. I started off with isoniazid, but had to stop after 6 weeks because of alarmingly elevated liver enzymes - boy was I worried! Since then I have been taking rifampicin and pyrazinamide, of which I am heartily sick. I think that if I did not have such a wonderful rheumatologist, I wouldn't have stayed the course, but he thinks it's very important that I complete the 3 months and I couldn't bear to let him down. Bye for now, 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...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 hi marion.. i am sure hoping that i will see really good results in one week, also.. i get my 2nd shot tomorrow...) rae, in napa, ca 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...
Guest guest Posted January 31, 2005 Report Share Posted January 31, 2005 hi marion.. i am sure hoping that i will see really good results in one week, also.. i get my 2nd shot tomorrow...) rae, in napa, ca 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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