Prednisone | Arthritis Information

missy1639
Newbie

Posted: 25 August 2007 at 9:57pm \| IP Logged

Hi All my PMR friends:

This forum has been so helpful and supportive to me since I discovered it I wanted to pass on a link that is the best I have found on Pred. I do a lot of research on the internet and this is by far the best I have found. I hope it gives insight and maybe some help into the side effects, diet, vitamins, etc. of being on Prednizone. Here it is:

http://www.gihealth.com/html/education/drugs/prednisone.html

It is so good to be able to talk with all of you and receive understanding of what we are going through together. My prayers, cyber and otherwise, are with you all.

I wanted to pass this along to you folks, this was posted by Missy in another section. I just didn't want anyone here to miss it, because the site she's provided is a GREAT one.

Thanks to Missy!!!

Thanks Katie. I bookmarked the site!Thanks Katie & Missy. That's a great article. Katie, this is the part I think everyone should pay attention to. Read
carefully:

Taking prednisone properly
Unless instructed otherwise, prednisone should be taken all at once with
breakfast. Prednisone is not to be taken randomly during the day. This
minimizes the risk of adrenal gland suppression and atrophy. (When high
doses are required, the dose may have to be split between morning and
evening doses for short periods of time.) In some patients prednisone can
be given at twice the dose every other morning. This doesn't work for
everyone, but when possible, allows your system a brief, yet helpful,
reprieve from the drug.

This is the part of it that most are not doing...or getting. Every other day
dosing is important to give the adrenals a day off or a rest day. This drug
should be taken every other day but you rarely see it prescribed that way.
I see this med so abused on so many different levels. I hate this med and
will NEVER take it...EVER. Thanks for the article though. I hope everyone
is very careful and takes this med as a last resort.I think the every other day thing is for long term use. At least, that's the way Justin's doctors explain it. But you are right, a lot of people on here DO use it long term, and probably should do it every other day. Thanks for pointing that out Lorster! Don't get me wrong Katie, this drug has probably been a lifesaver for
millions of people....but, has ruined many more lives. I just wish these
doctors would use is as it is supposed to be used.

I also think some of the bickering on this board is from a bit too much pred
in the system

hi all, this is such a good article I wanted to bring it back to the top of the posts. Lynda

(I've been trying to taper from 5 to 2-1/2 and have felt so tired the last couple of days. That's why! This stuff is tough on yu.

Thanks Lynda, I think we do have a few new people who just started Pred, so this is a great article for them.

Katie; My doctors have just used it as a boost for me as well. I've been on it many times over the years and I admit at times it's been very helpful but I've never been prescribed it long term and after hearing some of the things I've heard from friends on these sites I'd never agree to that anyway.

Good Info for newbies especially. All too often folks just take what the doctor prescribes without knowing all the facts. That can be a very costly mistake. Very costly!

[QUOTE=arriscolwell]LOL@ the bickering.

It's interesting because I see pred in a totally different light, since Justin takes it. It is only used as a boost, he's never taken it (except in one case) for more than 2-3 weeks TOPS. None of his doctors have ever liked to give it to him, but when he hits rock bottom, there is very little that will boost him back up. When you intestines are inflamed, you really can't wait around for something to "help" KWIM? Something has to be done quickly, and THEN you can work on finding something to keep future inflammation at bay.
[/QUOTE]

I know I'm gonna sound like a broken record

I have been afraid of going on prednisone. The article scared me a little more. But I'm so glad that I am informed now about it. I'll be armed with alot of good information when I go to my Drs appointment.

Thanks everyone!!

Lori

No problem Lori!! Prednisone is a terrible wonderful drug. LOL It helps *so* many people with so many problems, but it can do horrible things to you - just not always! I think thats why a lot of the times no one says anything about it, they don't think it'll happen to you. But everyone, and I mean EVERYONE reacts to this medicaiton differently. And some of it can be really bad! And then there are others out there that just thrive on the stuff, and have almost no ill effects!

I'm just glad that more people have been educated on it lately!

I knew a Missy from another site a couple of years ago. We lost touch. Is it possible to be her??? Katie, does she come here? (sorry for the hijack)Dunno Deb! Search her out on the member list and try PMing her?I'm bumping this for Doty!(sp?)
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