Pred question | Arthritis Information

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Hi
my daughter has been on prednisone for 4 days now today is the 5th day. 20 mg 1x a day
she has not noticed any real improvement in pain at all.
she has noticed a slight decrease in swelling and  less stiffness in the mornings.
should it have started working by now?
am I expecting too much?

Not everyone has pain relief from pred. It's really just meant to take the swelling down. So she may or may not find relief in that area. That being said, I think she will. It's just much more common that way. Give her a few more days, especially if she isn't having any adverse reactions. If you still feel like it's not working, give your doctor a call. She may be at a point where she needs a higher dose.

 

What other meds is she on?

I think it depends on the person, and the day.  I started 5mg on Thursday and had some reactions in my body...less pain and swelling on Friday and Saturday, but today I am not having as good a day as today.  I would hope that she would be feeling something.  Take care and more people will respond and give you more perspective. 

I don't think si.  I stated taking prenisine the end of June and I noticed a great deal of relief in just a couple of days.  Of course, I had a steroid shot at the same time.

Hope your daughter feels better soon.

[QUOTE=arriscolwell]

Not everyone has pain relief from pred. It's really just meant to take the swelling down. So she may or may not find relief in that area. That being said, I think she will. It's just much more common that way. Give her a few more days, especially if she isn't having any adverse reactions. If you still feel like it's not working, give your doctor a call. She may be at a point where she needs a higher dose.

 

What other meds is she on?

[/QUOTE]
well
she was on feledene
and that helped a lot
then it sort of just hit a wall
so he pulled her off that and wanted to put her on pred for about a week he said to see if it helped her.
( he is I think using it more as a diagnostic tool) the next step I believe is  Sulfasalazine but he wanted to try something that was faster acting?
still working on a diagnosis ...

 

I forget how old your daughter is? I'm sorry it's been a while! I'm guessing that when he said he wanted to try her on something faster acting, he was thinking a biologic. It's common for RD's to treat children very agressively, as they have a MUCH better chance of going into remission. But without a firm diagnosis, I can understand the wait.

 

Hopefully, this stint with the pred will be all he needs to decide on what she has, and really treat her.

 

Good luck!

Thanks
She is just 14 and a few months :-)

Ok, question of the day...ok 2...how much is she drinking?  Also, is she peeing like crazy.  That is my only other clue the pred is working sometimes(other than when I get off and things start swelling very quickly).  She has to drink a lot to get some of the toxins out too. 

I would call the RD tomorrow, and see what he/she says.  Don't lose hope it took three years for a start at my dx.  We are still finding stuff that is effected by it.  They will be more aggressive with a kiddo, which is great.  I know it is hard to have your baby hurting, but if she has pain meds let her take them if she doesn't have a lot going on. Some pain relief is better than none, and it might help her concentration on some things.  I notice if I half my pain pills I can get little chores done and pay the bills etc. 

 

Ha ha
when I first started to read your post I thought you meant ALCOHOL

Yes, less stiffness is a clue that is working at least a little bit.  I experienced that to a degree yesterday and today.  It might take a little longer...especially without a DMARD. 

I understand the school focus, but it would be nice for her(maybe) if she could have a respite from pain after school and on weekends.  If you get something that is scored you can even half it.  I know that I get extremely tired when I carry all of the pain.  I cannot take advil or asprin, so that is no help to me and tylenol just laughs at the pain.  I still try to take the tylenol, just to make sure, but no it doesn't work very well. 

For me it took 24-48 hours. [QUOTE=Poof] For me it took 24-48 hours.[/QUOTE]
what was your dose?
I mean she is only about 100 pounds so I guess her dose is right..
did you have pain relief that quick?
Im still holding out hope that it is just taking her longer...
[QUOTE=Shelly41]

Yes, less stiffness is a clue that is working at least a little bit.  I experienced that to a degree yesterday and today.  It might take a little longer...especially without a DMARD. 

I understand the school focus, but it would be nice for her(maybe) if she could have a respite from pain after school and on weekends.  If you get something that is scored you can even half it.  I know that I get extremely tired when I carry all of the pain.  I cannot take advil or asprin, so that is no help to me and tylenol just laughs at the pain.  I still try to take the tylenol, just to make sure, but no it doesn't work very well. 

[/QUOTE]
I think he may give her something at her next appointment to take at night ... and yes your right she is tired ... and frustrated too..
Yep, the fatigue piles up and seems to make the pain feel worse, because of the lack of actually relaxing and just bearing up under the pain.  This is the most frustrating disease, and I can totally relate to you and my hubby can totally relate to you.  Hey, are you still posting over at kidsgetarthritistoo.com? I bet they'd have lots of good ideas and answers for you. [QUOTE=arriscolwell]Hey, are you still posting over at kidsgetarthritistoo.com? I bet they'd have lots of good ideas and answers for you.[/QUOTE]
yes I sure am but it is very quite there the last 2 days
and I was feeling a little bummed tonight. this forum is so fast :-)
But they are a godsend over there ... It is so nice to be able to vent .
I am in a little different position though as my daughter is a bit older and still undiagnosed .. last was they thought she may have undifferentiated
juvenile spondyloarthropathie.. instead of JRA
we are confusing them...
I just want her to be healthy and happy again .. and to be able to do what she wants without the pain ... I feel like it has consumed us ..
sorry I know that there are kids allot  worse out there ..im just having a feel sorry for myself(daughter ) night . I try not to let myself do this .
I think I just had such high hopes for the pred and now I feel so let down.

well this mornig she says  she feels a little less pain ..not a lot less but a little less... could it just be taking longer for her?

im hoping !!!

Sure it could.  A little less is better than more or the same.  Hang in there and try to get something so she can really sleep at night. 

I'm hoping too!!!

Thanks
she hurt today
I guess its not helping too much
she says it only seems to be helping with stiffness not pain .
told the doctor and he wants to wait the full 7 days ..
I really wish that it was the answer..

My one and only experience was when I was first diagnosed and too ignorant to know any better.  I was told my diagnosis, given MTX and predisone, and a pamphlet to the American Arthritis Foundation, and shoved out the door to return in three months.  Five months later I was taken off predisone and frankly, I don't think it did a single thing.  I am 51 and now have osteoporosis, so I guess it did do one thing.  I am not a big fan of predisone, but it works wonders for others, so best of luck and hopefully her doctors will get things under control eventually.  Take care of yourself, you need to keep yourself healthy, so don't run yourself down and get sick too.  ~~ Cathy justsaynoemore39461.7731597222
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