I saw the physiatrist today who prescribed a pred taper for me to see if we can get some of this stuff to quiet down and get me some relief.
Day 1 is 6 x 10 mg and then I taper from there.
This is a new one for me and I haven't decided if I want to take them or not. Anyone want to chime to in with pros and cons. What side effects can I expect? How much will it help?
My MRI is scheduled for next Thursday, so I won't take the pred before then. I don't want to squelch any inflammation which might be present and show up on the MRI. We NEED to find some inflammation in me.
Karen
Karen,
That pred. taper has kept me out of the hospital several times. Within two days I was better. But it is not for everyone. My wife,R.N. has seen some bad side affects. So be careful.
Br'er Lon
Hi Karen,
I've done more pred tapers for my asthma than I care to count! The nice thing is that it's short-term, so those side effects won't last. I do notice that the first day gives me great energy, so I've done some excellent house cleaning during tapers.
You can get irritable and stuff like that, but it's not going to cause moon face or anything in that short a time. The pills taste horrible, and you will want to eat when you take them, too -- they can be hard on the stomach. If it will help kick-start your body into feeling better, I say go for it. Good luck!!!
Thanks, Lon. What bad side effects? I want to have a good idea of what risk I'm taking. I realize that "bad side effects" only happen to a small percentage of people, but it's nice to know.
Karen
Irritability is a side effect. What else? How long can I expect these things to last? Unfortunately, I'll be taking these right at the beginning of the semester, so I need to know if and how I'll be impaired.
Karen
I never noticed any side effects except mild irritability. How many days are you tapering?
ktl, aloha
pred...one set of doses, may turn down some of the inflammation.
pred's not sumptin' ya wants to be doing on a regular basis...it's an 'emergency'...
once in a while sort of thing.
it will depress your immune system (a good thing- that's why it works)...mood swings
maybe yeah over a couple of weeks, but that cataracts, weight gain (huge), osteoporosis...they all take some time to happen...those are long term effects.
good luck
Hey FINALLY I get to help YOU!! I'm very happy about this one...
Pred I started at 100mgs day one then day 2 50mgs taper 5 mgs every 7 days. I think it was about 2 and 1/2 months or more in length. I felt better on day 2 thank god because I had severe activity with both UC and AS at the same time. It was truely a miracle. Pred just knocked my disease activity on its butt. The amount of energy I had, I sorely miss. It was incredible. I needed on average 5 hours sleep and was happy to get up. I slept 2 hours once and didn't need to sleep any more! My doc said he couldn't go over the list of side effects because its too long. I did experience some acne, large appetite, I believe in life that there are very few reasons to get mad, and I havent been MAD in years. BUT after a while I would have to tell my girlfriend that I feeling on edge. That NEVER happens to me. So ya there were mood swings. Long term pred is hardly prescribed anymore because harmful side effects become significantly more probable. You most likely don't have to worry about that. I stared my last pill down and said "you were great to me but good riddance" I think that statement sums it up.
Wait, I can't prescribe calcium/magnesium pills, but you need to supplement. I took at least 1000MGS calcium/333MGS magnesium a day along with Vitamin D about 2000 IU... wait I just read 6 days taper.... Thats very short. Eat some calcium haha...
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
Thanks, Cindy. No, I didn't know about the AS group in Pittsburgh. 110 miles is a bit far to go on a regular basis, but I could visit once or twice, then start my own here...if I ever get diagnosed with AS.
I'm working with the Arthritis Foundation in Pittsburgh right now on getting the Arthritis Self Care Management Program (think I got that name right) offered here in Erie this fall. That would be a start.
Of course, I don't know why I'd bother going to the class when I don't have arthritis, only a propensity to injury.
I requested a copy of the office notes from the rheumy visit last Monday. As soon as I get my hands on them, I'll have a more clear idea of what this doc was thinking. I was getting too emotional by the end of that appoitnment to get him to clarify a few things I wish I would have asked. And, in fairness to the doc, I have to add that he didn't rush me out of there. At the end, he slowed down, told me what he wanted me to do and why, asked if it was okay with me and gave both me and my husband time to answer and ask questions. If I hadn't been trying not to cry, I might have been lucid enough to pick his brain a bit more. I know I can always call back with questions, but I'd rather start with reading the office notes.
Karen
Hi, Karen:
My official position on steroids is to avoid them at all costs.
However, if nothing else is working to take down a severe flare, the pred taper is a good approach.
Well, it is not one I would do, because fasting always takes down my flares.
But I realize that not everyone can fast.
As others have mentioned there are numerous side effects (a load of twenty main ones are memorized by some medical students). With the taper, perhaps all or most of these can be avoided.
HEALTH,
John
Sue,
I'd wait til the MRI if you can....
60mg is high, for first time etc ( high dose like that for me is when IBD and eyes bad, only 25 mg for AS flare)
There are risks, but all meds have risks. You should have caltrate and vitamin D...if it's sunny get outside but so n't get brunt you will not notice as much on the steroids.
I hope this works for you!
Dave
You should not ignore all symptoms even if the dose is temporary. Report severe chest pains after walking. Severe fatigue. Severe problems walking or breathing. Severe depression. If your married, having a strong support network is very important.
Tim
Karen
I am not for sure if it is the same thing that I took but it sounds the same. The first day I took 6 pills and then each day less for I think a week or so. I think it was called a medrol pack or something like that. It had prednisone in it. The only side effect that I had from it was I was very irritable. Things that would not bother me seemed to be horrible. Made mountain out of mole hills. hee hee Had a lot of mood swings. It was only for a week so it was not bad. However it did not help my pain in my feet so I am not for sure if my feet hurt because of inflamation. I have heard a lot of stories about how it has helped a lot of people.
Keep us posted on your MRI
hugs
Kell