levlarry2010-02-24 06:43:15This article got lost in time so i thot that i would bump it back to the future.
LEV Question for Dr.Fusco (or anyone who might have an answer for me)
I'm currently tapering off prednisone. I started at 50 mg 9 months ago and am down to 7.5mg.
I'm experiencing major pain in my right hand. No where else. Is this normal? The pain feels like when you hand goes to sleep but is maginfied about a hundred times. If I stand up and let my arm drop to side the pain goes away. When I lay down the pain will not stop no matter which way I lay. This has been going for 3 weeks now.
If anyone has experienced this type of pain pleae let me know how long I can expect it to last.
Thank you
Don
I don't know because I've been on Prednisone for 10 years and since all my docs are freaking out, my Rheumo has been weaning me down and I am down to 3mg one day and 2mg the next, for the next month. And in the beginning I was still fine, but now I am getting to the end of the month and my pain is coming back and now I am the one freaking out....because I DO NOT want that pain in my shoulders and upper body back! That was excruciating pain! But for now....the only thing that is working for me (alittle) is adding a 250 mg. of Naproxen and hoping that when I get dosed down further that even the Naproxen won't work! UGH!!I was told by the RA doctor that when you wean at some point you flare after i told her that i was experiencing great pain after getting down to 7.5. She told me that it would be in my best interest to try to handle the pain and that it should diminish. Apparently it is a natural occurance in the weaning process. Try to stay away from the pain pills or at least be very leary and careful using them and use the very minimun and only when absolutely nessasary.
Good luck with our journies.
LEV Dr. Fusco, I read your article and it was very helpful. Will you please tell us about the long term effects of using Methotrexate, for R.A.?? Can it cause bone loss, as well, especially when used with Prednisone? Thank you. Nana1.Just bumping this up for informations sake.
LEV levlarry39449.7843981481any one know how long it should take to really start helping . 20 mg 1x a day for 4 days now and not much improvement getting discouraged
Dear Dr. Fusco,
I have been having unbearable ankle pain for 7 months, and back pain for a few years. I went for a body bone scan and the results were inflammation, low back L4,5 neck C3,4 hands and feet especially left ankle(talon something). Everywhere I have complained about, had adjustments for, taken anti inflammitories for, accupuncture, facet blocks. My doctor an osteopath has determined so far that it is osteoarthritis and I am experiencing a flare up. He put me on a dosage of 5, ten mg prednisone for 2 days then 4 for 2 days, then 3 and so on.
I believe I had a severe reaction in the first three daysbut mentally I can barrely piece it together. The first day I thought I was okay but by the second I was experiencing confusion, shaky, tingling in hands and feet almost like plugged in to an electrical socket, shortness of breath,loss of control of my bladder(just one time) nose full of cold sores, sore throat, chills and the worst was my mind would draw total blanks about events in my life. I looked at my calender and had no idea who some of the names were I had on it, I wondered momentarily if my father was still alive and living downstairs(he passed away 3 years ago) I could not remember some things that have happened in the last 3 weeks, if told then I do but not on my own. I felt like I had a stroke or something only it was all mental, I think. We called the doctor who told me to cut back too 2,10mg for 2 days and then 1 for the same.
I am now on my second day of 2, 10mg. I still feel shaky and panicked about the things I cannot remember or things that I all of a sudden remember. It is very frightening.
I have never done a message board but I do look up things on the internet where I found your very understandable in laymens language, article all about prednisone. I guess I just need some sort of direction and validation. Please. Will I be okay? Have you ever heard of this kind of response? Any advice I will appreciate.
If anyone out there.....is able to help me please do. I am 62, normally pretty bright, but I feel nuts and disjointed right now.
Thank You,
crazydaze
Hi Levlarry, I did not realize that you had posted that wonderful article about prednisone. As I said I am new to how message boards work. I see you do follow this site and if you have any information or insights for me I am in need of them. Do you think I could have had a stroke or some kind of seizure.
Thanking you again and in advance yours truly,
Crazydaze Dear Happyhaze,
Your descriptions of many of your complaints bring back forgotten memories. I do remember the brain fog, i still have it somewhat (mostly short term), i remember the tingling and the bladder thing, for a while i had to remember that when I had to go, I'd better go. That problem is long gone. I remember the tingling and every once in a while still have some tingling. I had alot of shaking and asked Dr. Kansal (an Indian Dr.) why my left hand shaked so much and he said, "Leddy, it is physiological." I said, "What does that mean?" and he said, "You are doing it yourself." I still laugh when I think about that conversation, Oh, and my left hand still shakes some time. The nose sores, sore throat and chills and such can very much be bugs that your normal immune system would have quickly destroyed before you even had the symptoms, keep in mind that prednisone and most all RA drugs lower your immune system allowing some bugs to grow to the pont of discomfort and beyond. All of this being said, never take anything for granted. When you are scared or worried always, always seek professional help and/or answers. I am going to add some more side effects of prednisone and you will see many of the sympoms that you described. The memory thing sure brings back memories, so many conversations were just ended because i would just forget what i was saying. Any way Happyhaze, you may want to consider a specialized doctor, maybe a rheumatoligist? Seven months is a long time to have undiognosed pain, unprescrbibed medication to help you. Maybe if you go to urgent care, they may get you on a good path. I went to urgent care because of extreme pain in my wrists (plueral), I thought that I had somehow broken all the bones in both of my hands. The u/c doctors sent me for x-rays and blood draws and told me that they were quite sure that i had ra. I remember going home feeling so good, oh boy I just have rhuematoid arthritis, a couple of advils or aleves like the commercials say and I'm good to go. NOT. Anyway, I'm dragging this out as usual but I am going to post the other side effects and also a site that explains rheumatoid arthritis, just click on the blue link and it will take you there. Happyhaze, take my unprofessional professional opinion, when you think something isn't right with your body, go see your doctor or go to urgent care righ away. We at this and other forums are good for information but certainly not professional help. I look forward to hearing from you again and wish you good luck on your medical journey. Just remember that most conditions can be controlled and we can live quite comfortable lives, meds just sometimes play havoc with our bodies and minds.........................LEV
Side-effects
Short-term side-effects, as with all glucocorticoids, include high blood glucose levels, especially in patients that already have diabetes mellitus or are on other medications that increase blood glucose (such as tacrolimus), and mineralocorticoid effects such as fluid retention (although it is worth noting, however, that the mineralocorticoid effects of prednisone are very minor; this is why it is not used in the management of adrenal insufficiency unless a more potent mineralocorticoid is administered concomitantly). Additional short-term side-effects include insomnia, euphoria, and, rarely, mania. Long-term side-effects include Cushing's syndrome, weight gain, osteoporosis, glaucoma, type II diabetes mellitus, and depression upon withdrawal.
Here are some links for information about rheumatoid arthritis:
LEV
levlarry2008-02-02 15:53:37Hi, I am a newby here on this site. I have been taken prednisone for over 15 years due to Lupus sle, which is in remission. However, because I had a kidney transplant going on 6yr. I am still taking 7.5mg per day.
Well, I started having rib pain in my upper back thoracic-area. My family doctor had me get a DEX scan done and just found out that I have osteaporosis. I asked the nurse should I take any calicum supplements and she said he had nothing written down, that a lot of people have osteaporosis. ok, I assume the test was not really that bad.
I heard that a DEX scan don't really test the upper back area, is that true? I am in moderate pain give it a 5 from 1-10 scale. Haven't felt this type of pain in a long time. What can I do? Should I let my nephrologist kidney doctor know that I had a DEX scan test doneor just wait until my next month appointment with the nephrologist?
Am I being a worry wart over nothing? Because of transplant, I think the family doctor is scare to give me anything or he knows this was bound to happen because of the long years of taking prednisone and still have too due to transplant.
One of those dang if you do or dang if you don;t
Bumping for information's sake.Lev, when you were weaning down and having the joint pain - did it indeed go away? How long did it take? I'm wondering if my recent mini-flares are actually Pred withdrawal and if I should just muscle through them. Thanks.Hi Tara,
I weaned down mostly on a fluctuating regimine. 10mg, 10mg, 9mg, 10mg, 10mg, 9mg, 10mg, 9mg, 9mg, 10mg, 9mg, 9mg, 9mg, 9mg, 8mg, 9mg, 9mg, 8mg, 9mg, 8mg, 8mg and bla bla bla. When I got down to closer to the 5mg I had to slow to 1/2mgs. Yes, I did flare when I went down fast but usually lasted only 5-7 days. I still weaned faster than recommended. The rituxan made it pretty easy. I guess Tara, maybe you are getting to the dose of where you need to be with your other drugs? Also, if I am sick, I always flare some. I wish I could give you better advise rather than this long drawn out story but since i don't keep a diary, I am going by my reollection and that's not really that trustworthy. How long are you flaring and what mg did you start your wean from. What is your weaning regimine?
LEV
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