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Prednisone Alternative?????

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 10/20/2009 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I am new to this Forum.   My husband was diagnosed with R.A. this February.  He has been on Pednisone 10mg daily and up to 20mg during a "flare".  He has developed many of the side effects:

*weight gain - 40 pounds

* moon face

* irritability  and the one that is really giving "US" problems - the mood change.....He is irritated daily for no real reason and when something upsets him, he goes from 0 - 10 in about 30 seconds - Yelling, over-reacting, shouting, "rage"

This is taking a toll, a bad one, on our relationship............

Is anyone aware of any medication besides Prednisone that he could check into taking that doesn't cause the "rage".  I can deal with the rest of the effects, and so can he.  But although our relationship has always been strong....this "mood effect" may very well break us up.

Please help.......thanks.

Posted 10/21/2009 9:51 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to the HW forum confused

UGH the dreaded pred! Its one of those drugs that make you feel better and worse at the same time.

Ive been stuck on it for 6 years now and fully understand the side effects, although as you taper the side effects do too.

Does your husband have a Rheumatolgist? He should be seeing someone in regards to his RA.

 Can he ask for another med, as pred is not really a maintenance med.

Maybe if he took one of the RA maintenance meds he could get off of the pred. Sometimes it takes a combination of the maintenance meds to find the right one for relief so make sure he persists till he finds the right one.

Not much help, but can sympathise with the mood thing - UGH.

Keep us posted on his progress.

Jo

Posted 10/22/2009 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with Jo, pred is not a good long term med, too many side effect issues. There are just so many other RA meds available, usually your rheumy starts you on one and then tweaks them around to find your own personal cocktal that works for your husbands symptoms. There are just too many to list but there are definately alternatives to pred. Best of luck, golitho
Posted 10/26/2009 5:13 AM (GMT 0)
(bumped up)  Just hoping for more replies / info / advice /....anything???
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