Just diagnosed and was wondering if any of you new the answer to this question....
Would taking 3 mgs of pred ,which is a low dose, be worse for one's body than taking 20mgs of mtx or 200mg of plaquenel?
I am trying to see if a low dose of pred (a drug I am familiar with because of my Polymyalgia) will help me with the pain in my hands rather than starting a drug I am unfamiliar with and scares the crap out of me.
Hi Marianne, I think that has to be a question for your rheumy. It depends how far advanced your disease is etc, as wonderful results are being achieved by using things like MTX and plaquenil early in the piece, pred has its place but usually only in the short term, best of luck, Janie.MA~Predisone does help....and I'm sure you'll find it releives your pain; but it's not doing anything to slow the progression of the disease.
Long term predisone use even in low doses can have horrible side effects. I wouldn't advise taking it instead of a DMARD and I doubt an RD would either.
I've had RA for 13 years and been on a DMARD ever since. I've also used the biologic; Humira. They really are not nearly as bad as you fear and they have allowed me to be very productive and I have very little joint damage after all these years.
Please consider this carefully. If you do have RA it will only get worse. Research your options and listen to your doctors. Don't put off medication due to fear. By the time you break down and do it.....it may be too late.
Good Luck.
Marianne,
My RD told me during my very first visit that while some people do require prednisone long term, it will be my goal to only use it on a short term basis during flares.
I've been on Plaquenil since 2004. It worked really well for me until recently. The only side effect I had was nausea for the first week and a half. I also have a friend who has taken it for about ten years for lupus. She hasn't had any side effects either. From what I understand, it's one of the safest DMARDs available.
The most severe side effect (problems with the eyes) is reversible when detected early, which is why you need to keep your eye appointments.
I'm sorry I don't know anything about methotrexate. I too understand about being scared of the drugs. I'm meeting with my RD next week about changing my Plaquenil. I've read all the posts I can find about methotrexate because I'm pretty sure that will be my next step. Looks like there are a lot of people who have really good results. Right now, I'm so tired of the pain, I'll try anything!
Marianne,
Methotrexate has been used a long time and is considered an effective and fairly safe drug. My daughter was on it 2-1/2 years with no problems. You just need to take folic acid with it and get your blood checked. Hope this helps.
Laker
Thanks all for the info!!I myself have been on MTX for more than 4 years.....I guess it's been 5 now; not sure. I take 25mg weekly which is rather high but I have had great results with it.
In the early years I took sulfersalizine as well as plaquinel with good results. Neither gave me any problems.
Don't let fear hold you back. If treated realy RA is very managable.
Everyone had good info about pred. It really is for short term use.
Don't let the mtx or any other dmards or biologics scare you. Some people here have been on them for a long time and live very full lives because the meds manage the RA very well. The point of the dmards and biologics is to hopefully stop and at least slow down the progression of joint damage.
I know if it wasn't for the mtx and humira that I take I would be in a wheelchair. I guess I look it at as I live for now and IF I have any side effects 20 years from now with the meds I will worry about it then. I'm still raising kids and need to be as healthy as I can for that. Plus our youngest daughter was diagnosed a few months back with JRA and we want her to live as full of a life as possible. Hopefully throw her into remission with the meds so she can go on and still join the service like she wants to. So I guess I need to set that example for her.
Please take a long look at the long term side effects of prednisone by