hi! New at this...Help | Arthritis Information

In April, I was working and feeling good, when I started a second job and had trouble getting out of bed, I was so sore. I went to a doctor and he ran test, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. He said it was mild and started me out on Salsalate, which helped. Than I got a burning pain in both legs, It was like I was on fire, my foot droped. So I went back to the doctor he said it wasn't Rheumatoid arthritis, that RA didn't act like this, so he send me to a nerve doctor who put me on predisone, 90mg. every other day. I can now walk with a brace and the burning pain is gone, but I don't feel anything, It's like my body is dead. I just walk around and use it.....like i'm in another place. I have to go out of town to see a doctor about the Rheumatoid Arthritis, can't get in before Nov. It seens like a long time to wait? What are some of the side-effects from the predisone? I hear they are bad.

I hope someone can answer my questions. It would be nice to get better and be able to go back to work.

hi tracy...are you being sent to a rheumatologist? can your primary care dr help you get in sooner or is there another dr you can go see? you mentioned going out of town already...are you being sent to a larger city?

you have a lotof confusing symptoms so I know you need answers as soon as possible...when do you go back to the neurologist

yes I live in small town outside of louisville, I have to go to the city to see a Rheumatologist, and it was a Neurologist who put me on predisone. He is also in Louisville. I was told that was the first open they had and that they put me on a list and would try to get me in sooner, if someone cancels. I'm worried about my job, just started 3 weeks before this happen. My insurance isn't in effect yet. I can't believe this happen to me, just when I got a good job and was hoping for a better life...

but prednisone side effects r terrible

i would know, ive been takin prednisone since i got sick April (actually started takin prednisone in May tho)

so, if u wanna know some, here they r: (btw these r the ones that i have, and not everyone gets the same side effects, so dont worrie)

it makes u really hungry, so u eat ALOT, i gained like 30 pounds since May

and its supposed to go away when u stop takin prednisone (i hope it does...)

if u take prednisone, high doses for a long time, u might get steroid indueced diabetes. like i did. DONT FREAK OUT, lol. its not the end of the world, i thought it would be. BUT, i didnt even need to use an insulin needle or take anything for it. u just gotta be careful about what u eat and if u can, exercise (which might be hard for u tho) BUT, like me i was havin trouble with it for a while, i almost needed insulin, high blood sugar. but i never did, yay.

um, i also got steroid induced acne, lol. again not terrible, i saw a dermatologist (i think) and they gave me a special cream thing, and it made the acne go away almost completely.

theres alot of other side effects, u can google it. or maybe someone else will answer, but i tried to give u all the info i know. so, i hope i helped... maybe. if not, someone else will answer too I agree get your primary to speed up that appt. BTW I had a terrible onset and then with the right medicine (which did include a high dose of prednisone of which I have now tapered down from),3 months later I went back to work at both my jobs and I have not had a sick day out from RA since- it can happen! Best of luck to you!

Thank You for the replys, I called the Rheumatologist's office this morning, They said that no one waited four months to get in. They wanted to know how soon, I could get there if they called and I said about two hours. They said it would be more like the next day if someone cancel. They allso wanted to know if I was willing to wait, if she had a slow day and could work me in. The temp. plastic brace that they gave me is hot. They said to wear it till I see what the Rheumatologist says. That she would send me to have one fitted and made to fit my foot and leg. It sounds like a waiting game, that you have no control over.