Prednisone question

Many medications have some of the same symptoms. Nausea, unusual weakness, weight gain, weight loss and fatigue are common ones. Prednisone, Rituxan and MTX all have weakness or lack/loss of strength. Of course, it depends on how the medication affects each of us and the dosage also.

With me, I was on Rituxan, MTX and Prednisone. I had lost 20 pounds, down to 107. My muscles were literally wasting away. I could barely lift 2 pounds. My Rheumy took me off of the Rituxan and MTX immediately when he saw me. It obviously wasn't the Prednisone since I'm still on it and have gained my weight back. I thought it was the MTX since I went down to 102 pounds back in the 1980's when I was on it. He put me on the MTX again about 10 years ago since I had started on the biologics and MTX was required for most of them. But then again my weight loss and muscle weakness happened during the time
1 1/2 yrs) that I was on the Rituxan. I hope that I haven't confused you. You are different than I however, so it could be the Pred causing your weakness. Sorry that I can't be more helpful. I hope that you are able to figure it out. I know that it is frustrating. :(

Yes, very much so at least for me. I dont know if others have experienced this but as a 45 YO man in reasonably good strength even with RA I began to have muscle wasting almost immediately while taking prednisone and after almost 2 years of it I could not climb a ladder without my legs shaking horribly and my arms as well under any physical strain at all. Now it was a trade off to be sure, when I was in my flare I wasnt able to walk so there we have it. The wonderful trade off of RX over RA.

I hope you have relief and don't have to rely on it for long. It truly is the devils tic tacs in my experience.