The last ten | Arthritis Information
This is going to take forever! I just spoke to my RD tonight for instructions on my prednisone taper. 2 weeks ago I dropped 2.5 mgs bringing me down to 10 mgs a day.
Now he says I only drop 1 mg. every 2 to 4 weeks depending on how I feel. He says expect to not feel so good now. If I'm still having pain after 2 weeks do not drop- wait another 2 weeks and drop only if I feel OK or I'll send myself into a big flare.
That means I could be on this crap for another 5 to 10 months! Or it even sounded like he was eluding to I may not be able to get off it completely.
I feel like I am entering a new stage of this disease. It's a little intimidating....
Well, maybe it won't turn out that way, I hope it doesn't. How long have you been able to manage RA withut pred?Hi, there's nothing strange about tapering this slowly, in fact this is the way it should be done if you've been on Pred. for a long time. It took me over a year to taper from 35 mg. to 7.5 mg. I'm staying at 7.5 because of sluggish adrenals. I may be on 7.5 mg. for the rest of my life because that's the amount that your adrenals produce on a daily basis and you can't live without that amount. Be patient and you'll feel better for it. Also, you don't flare as badly at a slower taper. Lindy
Linncn
I just had my onset in Nov 07. It took 40 mgs. of prednisone with 15 mgs. of MTX to get me right.
Not sure if I can manage or not without prednisone but if I can't RD has been threatening me with the Humira. Lindy -he did say as long as I don't try and rush things I won't get bad. I wouldn't dare go against his instructions. I'm just frustrated that it may be only once per month I can drop now. Did you feel depressed during the last part of your taper?
Wanttobe, don't lose hope!! I'm sure your doc told you this, but it can take a while for the mtx to work. I'm about a year in with RA. MTX didn't work well for me by itself. But adding enbrel was HUGE. Got me back on my feet. I'm not saying you'll have to add the Humira, hopefully you won't (just cuz less is more, ya know?). I'm just saying that you're only in the very beginning of treatment and I'm sure your doc will get you right again. Oh, and maybe it'll help to know that I started out on a high dose of pred like you did, and I don't take it at all anymore. Well, I did once for a bad flare, but that was the only time since I got off it.I'm in the same boat as you WanTBRAF, but am down to just 5 mg per day. Been on this dose for a few weeks and don't feel any worse so am going to drop down another 1 mg as from tomorrow. Hopefully Humira, Arava and Napryson will keep me mobile.
Good luck - hope you are fine without the larger doseHopefully you'll be able to get off the pred. completely, but if you don't, I just want you to know that there are many people (my sister included) who have been on low dose pred. for many years with no ill effects. Of course you'd rather be off it completely, but if that doesn't happen, it's not as bad as you may think. Being at the beginning of your treatment can be so frustrating, but just give the meds and your doctor a bit more time to sort it all out. Sometimes it takes a while to get just the right mix. Then you'll be counseling all the newbies here about how great you feel and how they just need to hang in there too. Good luck. Believe me I understand your frustration. I was on Pred 35 mg. for over 3 years as we searched for a med. combo that would help. Our circumstances are very different. I was diagnosed over 10 years ago with a severe onset of RA, also complicated by PsA. Don't use me as an example of what you need to do. I just want you to know that a slow taper is really the best overall for you emotionally and physically. Just take it one day at a time and before you know it you'll be tapered off. It was a very long time for me but it finally happened. LindyThanks all for your thoughtful responses- I appreciate it.
From being on such a high dose I had been enjoying feeling GREAT!
That said- what should I expect from RA without it? I just don't know if I should worry about the increasing stiffness and aches in my joints.
I think I have been in denial- thinking it (RA) went away. My blood test did indicate I was in remission. I am having another blood test before my RD appt. 4/26.
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