Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group prednisone or not?

Sis,
I had nothing but success in my two trials, a friend here in the church has this to say:
irritability, cataracs, mood swings, and lethargy when her own body does not begin to produce it's own pred.
For me cymnbalta has helped me accept the pain and cope.
I sure hope it works well, the pred. for you.
Lon

I posted about my side effects Karen. First lot of pred, was when I had that horrible bout of pleurisy (was in hospital, they thought 'mebbe' pulmonary fibrosis. Was in a lot of pain). Horrible mood swings. Couldn't stop laughing and talking and laughing, was right off the walls and ceiling! Didn't sleep much either. Couldn't understand 'what' was happening, then, asked what the little white pills were! Ha. I stopped taking em.

Second lot of pred. Scripted for the very bad flare I just had, SIs, lower back pain and thoracic enthesisis - really bad bout of inflammation. I felt awful. Constriction of my throat, head was 'lifting', eyes not focusing properly, thick headed, then violent vomiting. I stopped taking em immediately. Strangely, was not bouncing off the walls and ceiling!

As for the pain? Well. First time round the pred did nothing for me - just made me v. v. silly. Second time round: worked the first day or two (w'end). Amazing. Good. Theennnn. Oh-Oh. Vomiting etc etc.

No. I **refuse to touch that stuff ever again...

Molly
Keeping on Keeping on

Hey Karen,
Well after reading some of the responses here, I feel pretty lucky. When I first went on prednisone, it was at 15mg and then tapered off. Fortunately, I didn't get any negative side effects - in fact, I seemed to get unbelievably happy on the stuff. Partly from the drug (it's a rare side effect), and part because it worked so darn well to control pain. It's only if I've been higher doses (been up to 80mg) for several months and taper off, that I seem to get a little grouchy (and puffy/hairy). It also increased my blood sugar levels, so completely took care of my hypoglycemia, and DEcreased my appetite. Honestly, at times, prednisone makes me feel so much more normal. However, right now, I'm finding my stomach doesn't tolerate prednisone anymore, so trying to get off of it.
Let us know how it goes!
PS good call waiting until after your MRI - pred has often eliminated inflammation for me so it doesn't show at all on my scans (or bloodwork). Go eat pasta, and I'm sure you can get some interesting results on that MRI!

Unless your are in an extremely dire health situation where the prednisone is somehow justified by a physician who will be honest about ALL of prednisone's potential negative side effects, I'd avoid it. My view might be a little skewed, and my situation was much different, but I'll let you decide.

I was on oral prednisone twice for about two months during each instance of ulcerative colitis over a period of five years. The last time, I was eventually placed on high doses of IV prednisone for about a week, before I finally decided, and probably had to have surgery since my colon was in such bad shape. It probably wouldn't have made a [**BLEEP**] bit of difference if I never had had that poison via IV. In my opinion, the outcome (surgical intervention) would have been the same with or without the prednisone.

Now, at 35, I'm developing a cataract in my right eye that my opthamologist attributes to the use of prednisone. Recently, others on the internet forum related to the surgery I had undergone those 14 years ago have come forward about side effects they've suffered as a result of prednisone. Their side effects are much more serious. Avascular necrosis (AVN), otherwise known as bone death. Some of these folks are fairly young and now require joint replacements. One affected user commented that doctors hand this stuff out like candy. I have to agree. I've turned it down multiple times over the years since. The most bothersome thing was that the doctors (during my hospital stay) were not forthcoming with my parents or me about all the side effects. I encourage you to do your due diligence and assess if you need it or can find something else to help you out.

Just before I was diagnosed, and before I saw a rheum., my family Dr prescribed prednisone for me. It was a tapering dose for roughy 12-16 days. It worked great for all of the swelling. The only side affect for me was a little jitteriness and had a little trouble getting to sleep. Regardless, I was so pleased that I asked for more at my first rheum. appointment. The Dr refused and said it was too hard on the stomach and not something that you should be on for very long.
In short, it worked well while I was on it. Good Luck

I am in an AS flare and last week was given a big shot of steriod--I assume prednisone--and have been bouncing around with my mood...my poor husband must think I have flipped my lid because one minute I am fine and the next I am grumping at him! The swelling in my hands went down for several days but my sacrum is hurting BAD....The prednisone can help but has bad side effects. I really don't know what to tell you dear. It all depends on what YOU think is right for YOUR body. I wish you blessings and well being.

hi karen,

i have not taken prednisone. i was given a script for it once or twice over the last 10 years (don't remember exactly when or by whom) , but after i read what it could do to my already sensitive stomach, i decided to pull out the ice packs and heating pad, and just continue that way. that was my choice, but mostly because of my stomach, so i didn't focus as much on the other side effects.

sue

Thanks, everyone for the candid replies. You've given me some more information so that I can make an informaed choice next week.

Is there much risk of some of the side effects with short-term use? I'm thinking of cataracts and osteoporosis and such. I would do just a six-day taper if I did it, which isn't the same as taking it for months.

Karen

I have done about 10 or 15 7-day or 10-day pred tapers over the years for my asthma with no long-term negative side effects. Sometimes it's just necessary. But if the doctor wanted to put me on for longer than 7 or 10 days (once I did 14), I would try to find another solution. Good luck!

Karen, take the Pred. does pack. Don't worry about side effects, it's only temporary. Don't worry about imflamation with the MRI either. The MRI is to show damage not imflamation. A bone scan would show imflamation. You need relief from all this lately.
Oh, by the way, did you know there is a AS support group in Pittsburg?

Cindy