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Predisone what is the most likely age........

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Posted 4/3/2011 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
     What is the most likely age people with RA do people start taking predisone? and what is the longest time they use it? I know it makes your bones brittle after a while. I'm 40 and I've been taking 5mg for about 4 months now. I haven't felt better in a long while. (what is the normal length of time someone is on predisone? How long can someone be on predisone?) I've had RA for 17 years now. I also take plaqinile and daypro. Plaqinile and daypro isn't enough by it's self- I hurt to much.
Posted 4/4/2011 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sheila, they sound like questions for your rheumy or doctor.

I have been on and off prednisone for 4 1/2 years. I find I need 10mg to make a difference if not more but I know at this dose it will weaken my bones and teeth, affect my skin and organs and mess with my ability to fight infections.

I am very soon going to try and wean myself off it again. I have periodically done this but never seem to manage that long without it, 3 months max so far. But I figure coming off it at least gives my system a small break!!!

My rheumy feels I'm unusual and normally people can be controlled by biologicals methotrexate and anti inflammatories without the need of prednisone. If you're still not under control, maybe you need to talk to your rheumy about upping your meds?

I think prednisone is suppose to be a short term measure while other meds kick in.

I am 51.

Hope this has helped but I think you need to talk to your doctor , we are all different in our needs afterall, golitho

Posted 4/4/2011 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sheila.

I have been on pred for seven years straight from 5mg - 120mg.

I have now been off it a year this month tongue turn smilewinkgrin

I loved the pred and would have happily used it as a maintenance med but for the longterm side effects.

A year on I still have paper thin skin. a hump on my back and my teeth are very brittle  - who knows what my bones are like now.

Im not sure how long you should take it, as golitho said, I think its a short term quick fix med.

Take care

Jo

 

Posted 4/4/2011 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
im 50 and have been on Prednison for 30 years full time varying doses from 60mg - 5mg i have been on it so long i cannot go off it so i maintain a level of 5mg going up when i need to.started on 5mg for Asthma then when diagnosed RA about 20yrs ago increased it to 60mg  also have severe Osteoporosis which i got about 10yrs ago & i  have a mild form of what they call cushings its where your face takes on a rounded apearance and puffy eyes from long term steroid usage. also have Diabetes and had All Teeth Rotted and removed could have been from Diabetes or Prednisone so i guess you can be on it a long time befor any serious damage but if i could redo i would have tried not to take a high dose over long periods
Posted 4/4/2011 9:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for all the fast replys, and letting me know the effects is had on you. Again thank.
Posted 4/5/2011 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I was on prednisone for about 2 years. Highest does was 40 mgs a day for several months then it was a long slow taper off with one flare causing me to go up to 10 for awhile. I had the facial hair, weight gain, muscle wasting, fatigue upon exercising while on even a low dose. I really never felt good on less than 15 mgs. I am glad to be off and hope to never be on it again. However it was a Godsend when I needed it and if I had to I would use it again.

I wish you all the best.
Posted 5/28/2011 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I'm 19 years old and have been on prednisone since I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago. My family and I had a lot of concerns about taking it long term because I have a lot of life ahead of me, and my rheumy is really good about keeping me updated on options. Nothing seems to work like prednisone does though... it's like magic. I was so bad at one point I had trouble showering and dressing independently, but I accredit pred for getting my RA under control.

According to my rheumy, as long as we keep it under 10mg it's okay long term, but I started at 30mg for about 2 weeks initially and slowly tapered down from there. Now I usually take around 8mg daily, but am still in the process of getting it down to the ideal number... 0mg! I definitely had the hair loss, restlessness and weight gain from uncontrollable appetite, but those symptoms have gone away on the lower dose. My bone density hasn't changed since I started taking it, but we monitor it fairly regularly. I know that it is different for every person and I do worry about it's effects, but the benefits seem to outweigh the concerns for me at this point.
Posted 5/28/2011 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sheila,

I have RA and I haven't taken prednisone in large quantities or for long periods of time, however people with RA are at an increased risk of osteoporosis.  I was diagnosed with osteoporsis at age 39 after I had a bone scan.  My doctor ordered because I have RA and I met some of the other criteria.  If you are concerned, you may want to have a dexa-scan done to see where you are right now.

 

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