Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; Use of Steroid Tablets for AS

Hi,

These last six weeks my AS would not settle, until eventually it went for a megga flare up and I finally had to crash, yes you've guessed. Back in Bed!!

My husband had a word with our Doctor, but due to alot of related AS problems which started the beginning of last year, he cannot prescribe a higher dose of NSAIDs for fear that they would strip the lining of my stomach. He said when I am able to be up and about he would like to see me and give me a check over, also he is thinking of putting me on Steroid Tablets. My previous Doctor said he would not give me Steroids, but I believe he was referring to injections into joints.

Has anyone with AS found relief from the use of Steriods during flares.

Cheerio for now
Penny from England

penannbro

penny

oral steriods (prednisone) can bring quick and dramatic relief for inflammation. however, they must not be taken for long periods of time. my own estimate is no more than several weeks. if taken for too long, they cause osteoporosis, cataracts and destroy your adrenal glands. it is best used for emergencies only. if you do taken them, you should take the pills early in the morning, between 5 to 9 AM. your pharmacist can explain why this is so.

-ken

Hi Penny,

I've heard of pulse-treatment with steroids for flares, basically starting with a high dose and then reducing quite quickly but don't know all the in's and out's, sorry. I'd certainly feel happy about a short steroid course, anything to get over the flare and get me feeling somewhere near well again has got to be a bonus.

Is it your GP or your Rheumy who is making the recommendations? The experience of GP's with AS treatment can vary greatly, if you have a good GP that is wonderful, but I'm just wondering if you need a general Rheumy review? Are you on a DMARD Penny? If not it would certainly be worth discussing. Sorry for all the questions!

There is nothing worse that a never-ending flare (or a flare for that matter!) but hope you are starting to get some relief soon. Don't forget the power of nice hot baths and simple stretches!

Take care,

Jan

Hello, Penny:

I was on Prednisone for 3-4 years. In spring 2001 I was on 100-150 Indometacine and 2,5-10 mg
Prednisone per day. Although I was diagnosed in 1987, my reumy told me to take steroids when my
right knee started to go worse. In addition to oral prednisone (5-10 mg per day), he infiltrated my knee
3 times with steroids, also. But 4th time he said: "We must make some analysis". In summer 2001
made the analysis (densitometric) and found I have calcium deficiency (osteoporosis). Since this day,
this reumy never told me again about cortisone! After steroids, reumy wanted put me on Methotrexate and latter on Infliximab... And where will finish that way?

Are steroids good? Read prospectus and you will see his side effects. You must to value the problems
of dependence, also. What is a "good or minimum level" of takking steroids? Controversy is great between
scientists. You can find out also on the "Search" of all forum of Kickas: you will have the different opinions on steroids of many sufferers.

I left Prednisone, and that has been very hard for me. Nowaday, I'm on No Starch Diet
, still taking Indometacine (75 mg), much vitamines, minerals and other
supplements, working on physiotherapy, fighting AS on many battle fronts and getting better slowly.
But today I'm persuaded that to come off the steroids has been a very hard problem for me for some
months.

Pello Zubiria

I have had experience with prednisone. I was hospitalised back in 1996 at a centre for Bone and Joint diseases for a week where they gave me a "pulse" of prednisone 1000mg (1 gram). This I have learnt since starting to investigate AS is extremely high for any disease. My ESR was constanting well over 100 and I would have had them remove my arm at that stage if I though it would have helped.

Anyhow, the pulse was only good for a few days and they started me on daily pred. for next 2 years - first at 25mg/day but over time I found that I could get away with between 5 - 10mg. Pred. does have some side effects of increased chance of osteoporosis (which I also have but which I think may also be a side effect of AS as the osteo is only in my spine and hips where the inflmmation is).

Anyway, would I take it again. I think its a great drug short term for flares - say 2- 3 weeks but its a personal choice. Some AS'ers call it a "prednisone holiday/vacation". Talk to your pharmacist about the drug and make an informed decision. Its not a casual choice with pred. but in emergencies I have found it helpful.

Don't think you can - KNOW YOU CAN

Hi Jan,

I agree I do need to see a good Rheumy but the one I need is down country, Bath,Somerset and you have to stay for three weeks. My Rheumy in King's Lynn is useless (although I shouldn't really say that). I don't have much faith in our hospital here the QEH. Excuse ignorance but what is DMARD???

Unfortunately I have not been able to have baths for 8 years, only showers!!! As my As and other arthritis are so wide spread in the body - I can't get in or out of them. I do the wall stretch, basically to keep my spine stretched - as for any other form of exercises or stretches these are no longer permitted.

To avoid osteoporosis I was put on menopause patches and due for a check-up soon.

Take care
Pen

penannbro

Hi there Penny,

Three weeks? What on earth do they do to you??!!! Sounds like a thorough assessment anyway, so maybe it's worth considering??? I'm sorry to hear you local Rheumy is useless, that really doesn't help and must be so frustrating for you. Does he have a Rheumy Nurse Specialist? As these are fairly new roles, the nurses in them are usually up to date and often more holistic. Also most good nurses are very adept at manipulating docs into what the patient needs so that be worth looking into!

DMARD's are 'disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs'
'Disease-modifying' or 'second-line' drugs
This group of drugs includes sulphasalazine, penicillamine, gold, hydroxychloroquine and leflunomide. They are used mainly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but also in some other rheumatic diseases. They reduce pain, swelling and stiffness. They do not work at once but may take several weeks to work. If you do not do well on one of these drugs, or if you develop any side-effects, then your doctor may try one of the others.
Another group of 'disease-modifying' drugs are immunosuppressant drugs. They are termed 'immunosuppressant' because they suppress the immune system (the body's own defence system). They include methotrexate, cyclosporin, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. Because they affect the immune system, they may produce side-effects and so need careful monitoring.
Immunosuppressant drugs are often used to treat cancer but you can be reassured that your arthritis has nothing to do with this disease.
A new group of drugs are the anti-TNF drugs, etanercept and infliximab. Anti-TNF drugs can reduce inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs are currently only being used in people who have not responded to other disease-modifying drugs.

I just lifted that from the ARC website and they have a new look, the frontpage has a rusty hinge and the proclamation "arthritis may not kill you, but it can take your life". OMG!!! I know it may be true but whoaah! Talk about negative!!! I think if I found that when I was looking for info just after this disease started I would have been totally shocked and scared half to death. What a statement!!!

Sorry to hear about the lack of baths, just wondering if hydrotherapy is an option or maybe you could add a day at a spa to your pressie list, then you could get a session in a hot tub and an aromatherapy massage? Might be nice before a special evening out??

Take care,

Jan