Hello everyone, I dont post much but I had a question. ive been off of my prednisone for a week and off of MTX for a month now. I havent noticed any big big difference except that I do feel tired and kind of weak in the morning. Is that a flare or am I going to feel this way for as long as I am not taking those meds? I still take Enbrel--- and vicoden for pain 1 1/2 daily. Will I have to get back on these meds in order to feel better? I dont want to get back on them. I went to the Doctor and she said it was okay to stop them as long as I feel okay. Im wondering how long this will last.
Tara
Usually...rheumy's have you take at least a small dose of those meds even when the Enbrel is standard and working. Especially the prednisone. Some Rheumy's don't like for you to abruptly stop that med. They usually like to taper you down so there won't be a shock to your system. MTX...The pill from HELL...LOL...I have stopped it for a while...once to try to have a baby. I noticed a big difference about 3 months out...my body ached real bad.
Tara...I would monitor it VERY VERY carefully. if you have the slight increase in pain and or stiffness...I would consider having your Rheumy reinstate at least the predinisone on a low dose.
Stopping these meds, without the docs consent and without the stopping being closely monitored may cause more damage you can't see. So...PLEASE...be careful...and if you start to REALLY feel under the weather...call your Doctor right away.
Roblyn
I do well on MTX and Humira and have never (knock on wood
I wish you the best of luck Tara. I hope things work out well in your situation.
I've got my fingers crossed for you!! (And yes; I can cross my fingers!!)
Lovie
I was very surprised to here RD ,let you stop prednisone without weaning off it.I originally started on 20 mg.prednisone-when doctor tried to wean me to fast ,my fingers just locked up until ,he put me back on 20 mg again.He had to wean me 20,then17.5,15,12.5,then 10 that i am currently on.this process has taken probably 6 months-and will probably take alot more months.This med is hard on system,pay close attention.SherryIm sorry I should have been more specific. The doctor has been weaning me off of the prednisone for awhile now the most ive been on was 10 mgs and that was 1 1/2 yrs ago. I was down to 5mgs at the beginning of the year and have been on 2.5 for months now she just had me go off of it 1 month ago and upped the anti-inflammatory meds. She also had me wean off of the mtx from 22.0 down to 12.5
and then down to nothing. I was having a bad reaction to the MTX my hair was falling out in clumps and everytime i took it i was sick for days after hurting and nauseuos. What can I take in place of the MTX? Im still on the enbrel I guess i need something else to stop the damage dont i? Thanks for all your advice
Tara
To my understanding Enbrel is a DMARD which slows down damage, I am currently on Enbrel as well, and 7.5 of prednisone, (was at 10mg). I want to get off pred completely. Just because of all the horrible things ive heard it does to your body when taken long term. Although I am on Enbrel I also thought about asking my RD about getting on MTX, or any other med. Because the Enbrel seems to wear off during the end of the week when im due for my other injection.