Newly-diagnosed 77-yrs old

[Guest guest]

My Mother at 77 was diagnosed in August with RA. She was prescribed

Medrol, 8 mg/day (4 a.m. - 4 p.m.) The Rheumatologist has tapered

the dosage to 6 mg. (4 a.m - 2 p.m.) then to 4 mg. (2 a.m. - 2

p.m.). But every time the dose goes down to 4 mg, she has a flare.

Then she is taken back up to 8, and then down again. The Dr. thought

he could control her symptoms with 4 mg of Medrol, but apparently

not. Over the course of steriod treatment, her blood pressure has

risen, and she is retaining fluid. She can no longer get up from a

chair nor in and out of a bathtub because of weakness in her leg

muscles. All this since August (5 months). Blood pressure meds have

been increased and hydrochlorathyazide and Potassium have been

added. The Dr. now wants to put her on Methotrexate. The

information on the drug scars the daylights out of us and seems so

dangerous for a 77-year-old with asthma who takes 12 other

medications daily.

I think all of you whose letters I have read are so brave to struggle

with such a disease. I want my Mother to do well and to regain her

independence, but I fear that these drugs might do her more harm than

good and am very confused by all of this.

Any thoughts? Anyone else not do well on Medrol?