Re: Self Medicating?

[Guest guest]

I don’t see any problem with it, have done the same myself (though not when pregnant, since I’ve never been pregnant). If you’ve had the disease for a while and know how it works, I think occasionally taking extra pred does no harm. I’m not an md, but as I said, I’ve done this too. If it helps square things with your mom, you can always call your rd and let him know. Some rds ALWAYS make you come in though which can be a pain, also as you said it was a weekend. I doubt he’ll be upset!

From: i_live_in_slippers <bart.tracy@...>

Reply- " Rheumatoid Arthritis " <Rheumatoid Arthritis >

Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2006 23:49:01 -0000

" Rheumatoid Arthritis " <Rheumatoid Arthritis >

Subject: Self Medicating?

Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-medicating " and I

just want other opinions-

I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then it

was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone, then

10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until the

other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and have

been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the fact

that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this week

and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used in

pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg for

2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine. And

I feel LOTS better already-

Opinions?

[Guest guest]

I do similar things when I have a flare and then let my doctor know at the

next appointment. If I'm not sure I use my judgment when the doctor is not

available and then call to see if he has other instructions. It is

important to let your doctor know but I think it is more important to take

care of yourself. God bless.

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

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

[mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of

i_live_in_slippers

Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2006 4:49 PM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Self Medicating?

Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-medicating " and I

just want other opinions-

I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then it

was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone, then

10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until the

other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and have

been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the fact

that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this week

and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used in

pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg for

2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine. And

I feel LOTS better already-

Opinions?

[Guest guest]

The only thing I would add is that certain Steroids during pregnancy can cause the baby's lungs to develop more than they should. You do need to check with your OB as to dosages that can be used and for how long. My first child came 4 weeks early with fully developed lungs partly because I had pneumonia and the general practitioner over medicated me on steroids. I caution all pregnant women to be careful taking steroids during the first 3 or 4 months because that's when I took them. Staceyi_live_in_slippers <bart.tracy@...> wrote: Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of "self-medicating" and I just want other opinions-I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then it was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone, then 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until the other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and have been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the fact that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this week and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places. So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used in pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg for 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine. And I feel LOTS better already-Opinions? __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks! I think I just needed some reasurrance that I wasn't crazy

for doing it.

--- In Rheumatoid Arthritis , Gwen Orel <gwenorel@...>

wrote:

>

> I don¹t see any problem with it, have done the same myself (though

not when

> pregnant, since I¹ve never been pregnant). If you¹ve had the

disease for a

> while and know how it works, I think occasionally taking extra pred

does no

> harm. I¹m not an md, but as I said, I¹ve done this too. If it

helps square

> things with your mom, you can always call your rd and let him

know. Some

> rds ALWAYS make you come in though which can be a pain, also as you

said it

> was a weekend. I doubt he¹ll be upset!

>

>

>

> From: i_live_in_slippers <bart.tracy@...>

> Reply- " Rheumatoid Arthritis "

> <Rheumatoid Arthritis >

> Date: Sun, 09 Jul 2006 23:49:01 -0000

> " Rheumatoid Arthritis "

> <Rheumatoid Arthritis >

> Subject: Self Medicating?

>

>

>

>

>

> Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-medicating " and I

> just want other opinions-

>

> I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then it

> was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone, then

> 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until the

> other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and have

> been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the

fact

> that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this week

> and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

>

> So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used

in

> pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg

for

> 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

> pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

> weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine.

And

> I feel LOTS better already-

>

> Opinions?

>

[Guest guest]

That's what I'm going to do too. I go back to see her on the 17th and

I'll just let her know. Thanks

>

> I do similar things when I have a flare and then let my doctor know

at the

> next appointment. If I'm not sure I use my judgment when the

doctor is not

> available and then call to see if he has other instructions. It is

> important to let your doctor know but I think it is more important

to take

> care of yourself. God bless.

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

> [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of

> i_live_in_slippers

> Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2006 4:49 PM

> Rheumatoid Arthritis

> Subject: Self Medicating?

>

> Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-medicating " and

I

> just want other opinions-

>

> I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then

it

> was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone,

then

> 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until

the

> other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and

have

> been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the

fact

> that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this

week

> and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

>

> So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used

in

> pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg

for

> 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

> pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

> weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine.

And

> I feel LOTS better already-

>

> Opinions?

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that info . I just remembered my rheumy telling me

that she was putting me on the prednisone & humira because both would

be safe to not only concieve on if I still chose to try but possibly

stay on if needed. I never thought about the actual dosage though.

She did state that while I was prescribed 10mg a day so hopefully

spiking like this like a dose pack would be ok every now & then.

Probably not daily though Thanks again

> Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-

medicating " and I

> just want other opinions-

>

> I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then

it

> was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone,

then

> 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until

the

> other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and

have

> been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the

fact

> that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this

week

> and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

>

> So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used

in

> pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg

for

> 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

> pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

> weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine.

And

> I feel LOTS better already-

>

> Opinions?

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

well some others will disagree but I want say one way or another but my pcp said it was ok for me to do the same thing with predisone, and he will give me an extra scrip for a z pack since I have so much trouble with mine so thats what I was told but everyone and every circomestance is differant though . john

i_live_in_slippers <bart.tracy@...> wrote: Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of "self-medicating" and I just want other opinions- I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then it was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone, then 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until the other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and have been taking just the Humira & mobic

for the past 6wks. Due to the fact that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this week and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places. So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used in pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg for 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine. And I feel LOTS better already- Opinions?

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

FYI for prednisone Use http://ibscrohns.about.com/cs/prednisone/a/prednisonefaq.htm

On 7/10/06, john stratton <kentuckycowboy2@...> wrote:

well some others will disagree but I want say one way or another but my pcp said it was ok for me to do the same thing with predisone, and he will give me an extra scrip for a z pack since I have so much trouble with mine so thats what I was told but everyone and every circomestance is differant though .

john

i_live_in_slippers <bart.tracy@...> wrote:

Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-medicating " and I just want other opinions-I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then it was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone, then 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until the other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and have been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the fact that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this week and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places. So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used in

pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg for 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine. And I feel LOTS better already-Opinions?

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

Hmm, well I can only asume you want me to notice the class C listing

for pregnancy purposes, but my dr. specifically told me pred would be

a drug used during a pregnancy if needed. I went to the RA.org

website and here is an excerpt from an article regarding pregnancy

and meds and it too states it can be used. I dont know that I believe

that any med is SAFE but maybe say, less likely so I think anything I

take to stay in control will pose a risk, which risk is greater?

Who's to say. My father in law is an MD and he says alot of what is

written regarding pregnancy precautions is a bunch of CYA (cover your

ass!) for the dr's, and I think it's sad but true:

from arthritisfoundation.org:

For all diseases: Drugs continue to be a concern in the first

trimester and throughout pregnancy. If you didn't discuss medications

with your doctor before you got pregnant, now is the time, says Dr.

Petri.

Some drugs, such as cyclophosphamide, can cause birth defects.

Others, such as methotrexate, can cause miscarriages. If you're

taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as

ibuprofen, naproxen or ketoprofen, your doctor may let you continue

using them, at least for a while. The greatest risk of these drugs

comes later in pregnancy, when they may interfere with labor, affect

amniotic fluid production or cause excessive bleeding during

delivery. If you need medications to keep your disease under control,

your doctor may put you on a glucocorticoid, such as prednisone, that

reduces arthritis inflammation but crosses through the placenta only

minimally.

Thanks though!

> >

> > Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-medicating "

and I

> > just want other opinions-

> >

> > I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then

it

> > was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone,

then

> > 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until

the

> > other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and

have

> > been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the

fact

> > that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this

week

> > and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

> >

> > So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be

used in

> > pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then

10mg for

> > 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

> > pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

> > weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be

fine. And

> > I feel LOTS better already-

> >

> > Opinions?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------

> > Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls.

Great rates

> > starting at

1¢/min.<http://us.rd./mail_us/taglines/postman7/*http://us.rd

../evt=39666/*http://messenger.>

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I would definitely speak to your Rheumatologist and your OB. How possibly

pregnant are you? You can take a pregnancy test a few days before your

period is due.

I think the term " self-medicating " is more so used in situations for example

where a person with mental illness is smoking marijuana or using other drugs

or drinking rather than getting actual help or prescribed medication.

>

> Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-medicating " and I

> just want other opinions-

>

> I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then it

> was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone, then

> 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until the

> other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and have

> been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the fact

> that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this week

> and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

>

> So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used in

> pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg for

> 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

> pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

> weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine. And

> I feel LOTS better already-

>

> Opinions?

>

[Guest guest]

Just to add, I have been on Humira through my pregnancy.

> > Today my mom (who also has RA) accused me of " self-

> medicating " and I

> > just want other opinions-

> >

> > I used to take a steroid pack when I had a really bad flare. Then

> it

> > was to the point that I was prescribed 5mg a day of prednisone,

> then

> > 10mg a day. I then got on Humira, 10 weeks now, and I have until

> the

> > other day successfully weened off the prednisone completely and

> have

> > been taking just the Humira & mobic for the past 6wks. Due to the

> fact

> > that I could possibly be pregnant I haven't taken my mobic this

> week

> > and I began flaring yesterday, and by today in several places.

> >

> > So, I got up and took 20mg of prednisone, which I know can be used

> in

> > pregnancy. Thinking I'll just ween down to 15mg tomorrow, then 10mg

> for

> > 2 days, and then 5mg for a day and then be done. Kinda like a dose

> > pack. My mom says I shouldn't have just done it on my own. It's a

> > weekend though, dr's not open and I just thought it would be fine.

> And

> > I feel LOTS better already-

> >

> > Opinions?

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >