RD app. - starting prednisone?? | Arthritis Information

Looks like I am not doing so well. I have pain in my shoulder and neck. I have achilles tendonitis and plantar fascitis. I have a swollen elbow and itchy kind of big toe. so rheumy today, she wants to put me on prednisone (burst and taper pack). I am having stomach pains, I don't know whether it is naproxyn or mtx.

My question is rheumy made a statement that if it is because of a RA it will clear with prednisone. Is this true?? this statement means to me it won't help neck strain or achille tendonitis or plantar fascitis. Can somebody explain to me what it will do for me if it is RA or if it is not RA? Today is the first day, and i am feeling the same effects as 1000 mg naproxyn

Yep... that is what that statement means. The pred will help the RA only, out of the list of others you just named off.

I hope you feel better soon, and the pred works for you!

Please keep us posted.

Oh forgot... if it is RA the pred will have you doing and feeling much better within a couple of days. If the pred does not seem to make you feel better within a couple of days then more than likely it is not RA.I don't know if a couple days is always the case joonie- During my onset I was put on 10 mgs of prednisone with no result, they upped it to 20- nothing- 30 nothing. This went on for a good 3 months. In between I was dx's as RA based on the outward symptoms of joints affected, they were red & hot and extreme swelling. Very high inflammation levels. It wasn't until I had been on MTX for about 8 weeks and they jacked up my prednisone to 40 mgs that I got relief.
Of course I am sero negative- so we are guessing it is RA...the doctor says if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck!
Let us know if it helps or not. Depends on how bad it is. It will help. But that does not mean it will totally elimenate all of your problems. Some of these muscle and tendon problems could very well be from the RA. Actally prednisone will probably help with them also. Time will tell. Keep us posted.

I am already feeling the difference in 8 hours. I am walking better. 50% difference. I limp but not that much any more.

Is there a better time to take it? morning, afternoon or night. Can't say the same thing about my neck. And what is this with hiccups? LOL i am hicupping (not all the time) twice already.

Any body knows how to reduce the side effects of prednisone?

Well, when you get the burst you start out at a high dose and then taper down. So... that is why I said a couple of days.

for me.... when I take one of those bursts and taper... I notice me doing better and swelling down the very next day or later that night after I have took the first dose.

Some people respond better than others.

Glad you are feeling a little better, I hope it continues to get better for you.