Prednisone has any one taken it?

[smokey the elder]

Steroids are one of those funny older drugs which can be spectacularly effective for some people and a disaster for others. I'm sorry you fall into the latter group. Have you talked to your doc about other drugs, like NSAIDs (Celebrex TM and the like) or even antibodies (EnbrelTM)? Good luck; pain just plain sucks.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Steroids are one of those funny older drugs which can be spectacularly effective for some people and a disaster for others. I'm sorry you fall into the latter group. Have you talked to your doc about other drugs, like NSAIDs (Celebrex TM and the like) or even antibodies (EnbrelTM)? Good luck; pain just plain sucks.

I had a cortizone shot several years ago and had a strong reaction to it so was not too surprised at the Prednisone.

We have talked about Celebrex and stuff. The problem is he doesn't know how much to give me that won't damage my kidneys any more than they already are. Why can't there just be a pill with out horrible side effects?

[carole]

Oh i am so sorry to hear that it did not work for you, i so empathise, having arthritis myself, but i think mine is mild in comparison, and it sucks,so i sure hope they can find something that will help ease your pain and suffering, the arcoxia drug i take, is wonderful, and easy on the stomach, i think it is similar to celebrex, again long term and high usuage will have bad side effects, for me i only ever have five a month, so i should be ok, it gives me a few days or even up to two weeks relief if i am extremely fortunate.

Here's hoping there is something for you that suits and give you a better quality of life, HUGS and take care.,thinking of you.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I think we are going to need to get the vitamin D thing straightened out before we try any new stuff for the arthritis. From what the nurse said and what I've read, it can cause some of the problems I've been having lately like extreme fatigue and depression and even fibromyalgia pain. I know a lack of it causes rickets in children so it may be messing with my joints.

Odd thing, we did a bone scan and he checks my calcium regularly. They have checked out fine. Guess 35 years of milk allergy is catching up with me. Thanks everyone. It helps to hear from you all.

[carole]

I have fibromyalgia, and i was low in vitamin D as well, i have to take one pill per month, i missed it one month by error and my results showed i was still low in it, so obviously it is important not to miss a dose.

Yes get it sorted, being low in Vitamin D can be potentially very harmful to you.

Good luck with it all, and keep us posted how you go, hoping your pain eases to a bearable comfort or just goes away, i know that is unlikely to happen, but we can all wish can't we?

[momoffuzzyfaces]

The nurse practitoner I talked to last week called me today. She has been checking into a topical anti-inflammary drug for me. We needed to see if my insurance will cover it. She found out they will cover part but not all of a gel called Voltaren. It would help the inflamation without the harming my kidneys or liver. I'll be checking my my doctor about it next time I go. I want to get this vitamin D thing taken care of first if possible, just to see if any pain goes away.

I had other questions about the vitamin D stuff that she answered for me too. I can't believe how nice she is. It was so sweet of her to check on that for me and call me back.

[carole]

I just wanted to let you know we have had voltaren here for years, and i have used it many times, however i was told that it is just the same as taking a pill, as it goes on the skin, it still enters the blood stream just the same,however it was not a doctor who told me that, but a pharmacist, don't mean to put a downer on this, but just thought i should share this with you.

Voltaren is helpful though.