I'v been on Prednisolone 10mg daily since November as well as MTX 10mg (then up to 15mg now on 17.5 mg) weekly.
How long does it take to work?
Things just seem to be dragging and I'm starting to get dragged down I dont' know anything about Prednisolone but I do know that the methotrexate takes at least 6-8 weeks. I started out on just three and that barely helped any. I then quickly went to 4, then 5, then 6 and I think I may have skipped 7 and now I'm on 8 and that even took awhile before it started working. For me the results are worth the wait. Maybe you need to increase one of the meds.
I just started Pred. about 4 days ago. At first it did not seem to be doing anything, however I can feel some relief to the sudden sharp pain, the lingering pain is still constant, Im not sure anything can make that go away. Before adjusting meds I would speak to your doc. unless they have already advised on ajustments, if you think they are not working do some research about the meds and speak with the doc. Good luck. Pred I have only taken the injections monthly, which did some major damage but oh well, I needed it at the time. So it goes. I would call my RD if I were you, if you have been on it since Novemeber things should have quieted down a bit for you. At least i would think so. I am not any expert, I just have my own experience to draw from. b Thanks everyone. I was really starting to get bummed about not progressing. I see my RD in about 4 weeks so maybe then she will add some plaquenil and things might start to feel better. I still take my clebrex every day and if Vioxx does come back on the market I will be the first in line to get back on it. So far I haven't had any side effects from the MTX, just a really acid stomach that my GP says is from the Pred. (another reason to get off it as I'm already on the top dose of Nexium for my freflux). I'm really not looking forward to winter coming up. My boss is going to give me my flu and pneumonia shots in a couple of weeks. I haven't had any problem with catching things so far although everyone that comes in to the surgery (dr's office) with something catchy I kind of stay well away from. I guess I just need to be patient and keep trying new and different combo's ( although the combos and KFC and McDonalds are tastier) Pam (ostelin is for the old bones (vit D)
Hang in there. Sometimes meds just need some adjusting or is it that our bodies need some adjusting to the meds.??
Going back through the posts and reading others problems and successes(spell?) with methotrexate also helps. Actually just reading the posts helps me.
Take care and keep posting on how you're doing.
When I was first diagnosed with RA, they put me on Prednisone first, to get the pain down and then had me take Naprosyn...it worked pretty good but I was taking 15mg, twice daily. Then when the full DX of RA was in, I was put on MTX and very quickly I ended up taking 20 mg each Friday, also put on Plaq and taken off Pred. Given Vioxx in place of Pred. WOW...I was on top of the world. Well you know the story about Vioxx and Bextra. My pain increased, was put on Azulfidine with the Plaq and MTX, they added Tramadol and I started to get better. All of this took approximately 6 to 8 months to happen. Finding the right combo of meds, takes some time. So try to be patient but if you need help with pain in the mean time, don't feel bad, ask your rheumy for something.
But as we all know, getting better doesn't last long. I was put on Enbrel and my whole world fell apart. I became the walking dead. Now I am on Sulindac and Arava and beginning to feel much better. I will be going back on MTX but this time the injectable kind. I don't like using it or losing my hair but I do like being able to feel like I am part of the living.
Also Vioxx lovers. I was talking with my rheumy and she said they are thinking very strongly about putting Vioxx back on the market shelves and I am going to be able to go back on that. Hurray...I can not wait. I was really worried about going on Prednizone (just the word "steroid" scares me) but it has been a LIFE SAVER. It got me some relief until the methotrexate started to kick in (I take 6pills/week). I'm not sure about the tapering... sounds odd. It took a full 2mos to see some results in my labs from the methotrex. It's slow going and I definitely don't feel 100% yet, but hopefully I'll be able to quit the pred or mtx or both once I start the biologics. I think I'm leaning toward Enbrel... it sounds like most of y'all recommend it. As for the shots- my beau will be administering them. I can't look at needles. Don't mind 'em- I used to give blood regularly when I was healthy- I just can't watch 'em go in! Eek. While they're sorting out my insurance/Humira issues, I'm on prednisone.
I really don't function well on less than 20 mg, but my doctor wants me
on 10 - so I take 10 & hurt & limp along. On 20, I feel like a relatively
normal person.
I think every one of us needs a different med or combination of meds to
get by. My doctor is very young & into research & she says they have
several new drugs coming along. I remember I was on Vioxx years ago,
and my whole never body never felt so good. I hope they bring it back. If
they warn us of the risks, the choice should be ours to make.I have osteopenia so my doctor basically gave the go ahead to start tapering the Prednisone 4 weeks after I started. I just finished it yesterday so I was on it for 7weeks total. I have been on the MTX for 4 weeks, I just did my 5th shot yesterday. I take Fosamax D for the osteopenia. I dont really know if the MTX is working or if I just am not really flared up by chance. I guess time will tell.
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