Prednisone

ANNETTE73 · 05-01-2006, 09:16 AM

Hi,

I an taking 10mg of Prednisone a day plus MTX and NSIAD. I am starting to get more pain and morninig stiffness. I feels like the time that I was off of Prednisone for the month. Can our bodies get use to Prednisone and it not work as good as it use to?

ToBeFreeToRoam · 05-01-2006, 12:43 PM

Hi Annette,

At the moment, I am on Prednisone, in addition to Relafen, Skelaxin and Tramadol (Ultram). My rheumy is slowly, slowly getting me off prednisone, because I have been on it too many months and it made me gain 20 lbs. fast!!! The Methotrexate is taking its place, I think. Maybe something else later???

I think it takes a while for the Prednisone to work well. I am supposed to take 2 Pred. 1 day and 1 Pred. the next day, then in another month, down some more. It is supposed to be hard to get off of, or so they tell me. I do not know about the getting used to the drug/Prednisone and it not working as well. I would think that would be true, because it is for so many other ones that are the same!!!

Good Luck. And I hope you feel better. But, it is my experience, that I always have pain and stiffness. But, not everyone is the same.

Wannabe

joanie58 · 05-02-2006, 06:57 AM

Morning! My rheumatologist had me on a low dose of Prednisone for 16 days: 2 pills for 4 days, 1-1/2 for 4 days, 1 for 4 days and 1/2 a pill for 4 days. He wanted to get me on it and wean me right off it to see how I responded. It helped quite a bit with the pain but I still had stiff fingers in the morning but I felt much better throughout the day. He now has me on another med called Arava for a few weeks and I should watch out for side effects. I've only been on it for 2 days and the stiffness and pain doesn't completely go away. He wants me to start one of the injectable drugs on my next visit (HUmira or Enbrel). I have to read up and decide which one I want to try. Not looking forward to it but I can't function with this pain. Sometimes I have trouble turning the key in my car or evening opening the door.

ToBeFreeToRoam · 05-03-2006, 02:14 AM

Hi Joanie,

I cannot take an injectable drug, because of my insurance. I am trying the Methotrexate to see if it will help. I see now, that I left that out before. Anyway, she started me out (my rheumy dr.) with 4 meth. 1 x per week, for 1 mo. Then, 5 meth, 1 x per week, for 1 mo. And now, 6 meth. 1 x per week. I think for 2 mo. My blood has to be tested all the time. These kind of drugs, are hard on you, but, if they make my pain and stiffnes and swelling go away, it might be worth it?!

Let me know how your new Injectable drugs work for you.

Wannabe

joanie58 · 05-03-2006, 07:43 AM

My doctor never even mentioned Methotrexate to me. I'm still new with all this and it can be quite overwhelming. Is the Methotrexate any help for you? Now that you mentioned insurance, I don't know if mine will cover the injectables either. I just know this pain has got to stop. My left hand and shoulder are very stiff and painful this morning. Getting dressed to go to work is going to be a chore and a half!