Can anyone tell me if the lower the dose of pred you take .does it lower the side effects,
To be honest not sure but in my case no they were just as bad.No don't Eileen or Ptolomey will give you better information
It depends. On the side effect and on the person. Apart from anything else, there are 82 listed side effects, no-one gets them all, some people get next to none. There are also different sorts of corticosteroid and the same person might have certain side effects with prednisolone, other side effects with methyl prednisolone and yet others with prednisone.
Some side effects do become less significant as the dose lowers but everyone is different. Take weight gain - I have lost a lot of weight while still on one pred, albeit a different version to the one that caused the weight gain. Another lady was on the same form of pred from diagnosis at the beginning right to the end, but her dose reduced from 60mg to zero over about 5 years I think. She put on about 6st in weight on pred within a very short time. She didn't lose a pound until she stopped taking any pred and then the weight melted away without her even trying.
For me, I just reduced to 5 mg and Rheumy wants to keep me here until other DMARDS kick in, which take 4-5 months, ugh...
but, I think my face isn't as round and my elephant hump is gone off my back, though I hurt there now days, but that could be from something else.
i sleep better for most part. Still have occassional hot flashes.
I still get acid reflux that I think is from Pred, never had it before.
I still have dry mouth, but not as bad. My nose and hair and skin are still dry.
I'm still in pain, 75% in mornings, maybe 40-50% in afternoons.
Not much brain fog as higher doses, but if I'm real tired then I do have troubles.
I don't know if this helps your question.
Hi Layne;do not know which DMARD you are on but my acid reflux is worse now that I am on methotrexate.I am at last starting to reduce analgesics 3 months on and my blood results are going in the right direction.Have just increased to max oral dose and see consultant in 5weeks time for review.Hope your meds kick in soon (I was told 4months but it now seems to be worth the wait-touch wood)
I did read early on in my journey that effects on the bones (osteoporosis being the fear) were likely to be most severe the first month one was on prednisone.
Thanks for your input, every bit of information helps xx
In fact I would say from my reading loss of bone density isn't so much a "side" effect, which term dimishes its apparent significance in our minds, as a direct effect of steroids. This effect is lower the less the dosage. I'll private message you a link.
One rheumatologist told me the most was in the first 3 months - but one assumes too that that is when you are likely to be at the highest doses. There was a paper from physiotherapists that claimed that there was still evidence of changes in bone density at 5mg whereas previously it had been thought that at low doses it was negligible. However - I had no evidence of any real reduction of bone density after over 3 years at mostly above 10mg. They never look at every single person, the populations they DO look at are restricted - I don't think they really know the answer but it would be interesting to know who funded any study because I'll lay odds that the ones that say there is a deterioration have something to do with the manufacturers of "bone protective medications".
Cynical? Moi?
I suppose really we shouldn't use the term "side effect" but "effect" which can be sub-categorised as "beneficial" and "adverse" in the context of where you are using the stuff. After all, something that is undesirable in one disease may be helpful in another.
I have found that the horrible sweats have improved and also I don't feel like I could eat a horse all the time. I still have the fluid retention, purpura and thin skin though. The gritty eyes have got better and the sensitive teeth problem has stopped altogether. My hair is still curly, but I like that along with my strong nails. I think overall things have improved.
I have got to a stage where the long, strong and beautiful nails have gone AWOL. I've chosen to let the curls grow out as well. But I miss the nails... :-(
Apparently it will take one to two years for me to get to see the osteoporosis specialist. I obviously can't wait that long for her advice so will have to be really proactive, but I'm pretty negative about the medications that are offered.
Have you had a scan that diagnosed osteoporosis?
Yes, but I don't know the numbers. Husband going to pick up photocopy of report this afternoon when he went to work but I haven't seen it yet.
You may find that your bones are not as bad as you think!
Will let you know. Thank you.
YEARS???? And they complain in the UK!!!!!!!
I agree.Five years ago my rheumatologist wanted a dexa scan done.My hospital did not have a machine but had an arrangement with the private hospital and I only waited 10 weeks (posh place,great care + NO bill)Thank goodness for NHS it delivers when needed
In my experience NO i am reducing now and boy am i hurting.