Hi My problems all started last September an my dr initially thought it was PMR and prescribed me 15mg Pred. I was referred to the rheumy and she was that it wasnt but that I did have some form of arthritis. I have had several bloods tests and xrays none of which were conclusive - a grey area they said! - I now have to go for a DEXA scan and I now decreasing the Pred and I am down to 11, its been a bit of a traumatic year all round.
My main problem is the stiffness in my knees, ankles and feet. I do have swelling in my hands but I can put up with that as such. I was advised to take paracetamol for the stiffness but have noticed as of last week that I have small rash across my abdomen so have stopped taking them and have been using an antibiotic cream which has helped.
I read by Glucasomine was helpful but that it would interfer with my diabetic medicine! My gp has upped my metformin to cover the interference from the Pred to cover that but I wondered how much the Glucasomine was affect it as well. Today is not a good day, I have spent much of it lying on my bed as that is the only comfortable place at the moment.
The rash is almost certainly due to the prednisone. You may also find that you have an intolerance to NSAIDS (ie diclofenac etc). Has your doctor suggested perhaps periodic (say every 4 - 6 weekly) shots of solu-medrol, since you then would not be metabolizing the steroid there should not be side effects. Your symptoms are possibly more akin to PMR than osteo, which is primarily joint cartilege inflammation. You mention you are diabetic. OA is severely increased by excess weight on the joints and thus diet can play a big part in reducing inflammation.
Hi Almeria
Paracetamol doesnt usually cause a rash to my knnowledge....I weould hve thought it was the pred but if you've been taking it for a while with no side effects possibly not.
Did your GP prescribe the antibiotic cream? Do you mean anti inflammatory cream? sorry if I'm being silly.
You will have to check anything you buy over the counter because of your diabetes. I'm saying this because I have epilepsy....its been controlled for 33 years now but i still take tablets for them and the amount of meds that are contra-indicated!!!!!!
Whats te next move by your GP or Rheumy.
They must think you have osteoporosis or ostepinia to be sending you for a DEXA scan??
As for your stiffness....self help mesures can work.
TENS machine
Relaxation
Distraction Tecniques
Heat or Cold....different people react to different ones....Me with OA and numerous oher problems eg spinal, osteoporosis.....I find that heat helps best {but some people find cold better}
What about physiotherapy and exercises.
Love
Eileen
thank you for your replies. I dropped from 12 to 11 Pred on 1st Oct and I think.... that is when this rash started. Because I hadnt taken any paracetamol for a couple of days I was in quite a bad way yesterday so last night I took 500mg Naproxen and this morning I feel lilke a new woman. I have had no side effects from the Pred and have been taking it for over a year now so thats why I thought it was the paracetamol and having read the leaflet that is one of the side effects but I have taken it in the past, not in quite a regular manner but havent had any problems.
It is an antibiotic cream that we had here, so I thought I would try it (I am in Spain) at the moment and not due back in UK until 3rd November, but if rash gets worse then I will go to the doctor here.
Some days the stiffness is unbearable so when I asked the rheumy nurse what else I could take, she suggested paracetamol and when I pushed her she did say ibuprofen. I will be seeing the rheumy herself in November as I didnt like the nurse very much, she didnt listen or allow me time to ask any questions and I dont think I was in there for more than a couple of minutes, but there we go.
Hi Almeria
It sounds as iff the soon you get back to the UK the better
That didnt sound a very positive appointment.
I hope your appointment with the rheumy is better and you find out a bit more
Good Luck
Love
Eileen