This crap is just plain odd | Arthritis Information
I am not saying I am not enjoying not have much physical problems and all that RA causes, but it just feels odd and puzzling.
I was having really hard time with my right leg crap, right? Well, since starting the prednisone flare taper, my right leg is not an issue whatsoever. No pain, no problems. I can walk "normal", and actually keep up with hubby when we are out and about. My swelling is very minimal and some joints (knees) almost nil. I can see bones, and feel bones that I have not been able to feel or see because of all the swelling I had going on. My right calf has not even swelled since starting the taper, been skinny like my other leg.
I am not sure what to make of this. I start to think it is not RA and some thing else, and then the prednisone flare taper takes it all away within 24hrs, like nothing was ever wrong to begin with. It is just confusing!
Now, I posse these questions.... what other type of problems can predisone mask? Just RA related? How about fibro related? How about some thing else that causes inflammation other than RA?
I guess it could be that I am injurying my right leg when I walk on it when I have swelling and not moving right. But why would it not swell now that I am doing more walking and much more active? I would think if there was damage to my right knee and hip, that it would still bother me even with the prednisone flare taper. Or, it could be just masking it all? I am not too sure that is the answer. Because I have not even had to take an Ultracet since I started the pred flare taper.
Oh well... Maybe when I go back to my GP, he will have an answer? Not too sure he will, but worth a try.
Joonie, I know this is ignorant, but what exactly is a "prednisone flare taper"?? Does that mean you increased your Pred and are now tapering? thanksprednisone will affect a long list of stuff
I've heard that some people with FM use prednisone. Not sure why unless they also have arthritis but I would think that it would have little effect on FM.
Thanks for the replies Everyone!
Thanks for the link, Buckeye! I skimmed over it, but will do some googling on it when my kids are not around as much.
I did see 2 things that sounded like something to make for a question for my RD. Which are Post-traumatic osteoarthritis & Synovitis of osteoarthritis. Because my right leg is only a REAL problem when I have swelling in my knee & hip. PLUS, I have little to no cartliage in my right knee, so... that probably exacerbates the right leg problems.
[QUOTE=patandpaula]Joonie, I know this is ignorant, but what exactly is a "prednisone flare taper"?? Does that mean you increased your Pred and are now tapering? thanks[/QUOTE]
Hello Paula!
Your question is not ignorant at all.
A prednisone flare taper is what rheumy puts me on when I am in a flare. Over a course of 21 days, I will take prednisone start at 6 - 5mg tabs (30mg) of prednisone for 3 days. Then every 3 days you go down 5mg (30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5) of pred until you get back down to your normal prednisone dose, which mine is 10mg.
Hope it makes sense. If not let me know and I will go and type the exact directions on the bottle.
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