pred is the one drug that I have avoided since day 1....I've done a couple of pred packs over the years and I keep one for emerency purposes but thats itYep. I was put on it back in 2000 and have been on it off and on since then. I have now been on it for close to 4 years almost non-stop. There was that one time I was off it for almost a month and was put back on it on a higher dose than I was taken off of.
Until just recently this was my strategy as well. Going from 0 to 80 was a shock mentally, physically, and emotionally: the highs, the lows, the basement, the euphoria, the pits quickly followed by the rage.
Frankly, I would never have started that roller coaster ride except for the surrounding circumstances...I did speak at great length with each physician before consenting to being given such massive "loading doses" and Rx'd 80 mg/ a day on a decreasing basis.
I am still weighting the pros and cons of that decision.
We do what we have to do to feel as close to normal as possible, hopefully without the pain.
I do not like the weight gain though.
I am actually loosing weight. I was at 178, and as of June I am down to 160. Another reason I wanted to ween was because I was getting too close to the 200# mark and I know it is from the pred usage. I always crave sugar and salt. I try hard not to give in but I have to sometimes, because it will just drive me up the wall. [QUOTE=Spelunker]
Frankly, I would never have started that roller coaster ride except for the surrounding circumstances...I did speak at great length with each physician before consenting to being given such massive "loading doses" and Rx'd 80 mg/ a day on a decreasing basis.
I am still weighting the pros and cons of that decision.
[/QUOTE]
I always wonder that if I did the pred in the early years if I would have the joint damage that I did..but I also try to remind myself that knowing what doses of everything else I need that being on pred all those years could have killed meMy goal is to taper off as quickly as possible: whether or not that is realistic remains to be seen. However, I am determined!
Well LOL A rollercoaster ride it is. Just tapered off of it and had to go back on it two weeks later. Was going to tuff it out. Well I could not walk. Foot or lower back would not allow it. Oh well it is nice to be able to use my right arm also. Spent an entire week in bed crying before I gave in. Had been off of it for six months and lost alot of wieght. I had agreed to take it for a short course three weeks. Then I felt great of course. But just two weeks after stopping I had to go back on. Well maybe some of the crying I thought was from the pred or stopping the pred. So I guess as long as I can walk that gaining some wieght will be alright. I am not happy about it.
I am sorry to hear that, Milly. That is how I felt when I was took off the pred. Glad you are doing better now.
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