Prednisone withdrawal or Humira side effect??

My doctor is guessing that it is prednisone withdrawal - muscle and joint aches & pains...especially when I'm sitting at my desk for 30-60 minutes and try to get up.  Getting up in the morning and walking down the stairs.  Even getting up and down from the floor to play with the kids. 

I've been on some dose of pred from the beginning of the year until April 6.  In March, I started taking Humira.  For anyone who has had muscle/joint pain from pred withdrawal, how long did it last for you?  If it was withdrawal, shouldn't it start to wear off/get better aftet 5-6 weeks? 

I'm wondering if it is the Humira but the doctor wanted to wait to do the blood test.  I know I can ask her how long, but I was just curious what others experience was....

Thanks!

Hi Clonehead
I have had this from prednisone withdrawal several times and am currently. It usually lasts for a few months for me. Some days are better than others. I have noticed when I drink more water it helps. I used to drink tart cherry juice as it is a natural anti inflammatory and supposed to be good for this.

I know its terrible after you sit awhile and try to get up, and just to pick something off the floor is a a slower a painful process. I feel like I am 90 sometimes. I have to push myself a lot as I know exercise like walking is good for me and will actually reduce the inflammation. In the past it has eventually gotten better for me. Hang in there. Remember fluids and exercise can help get your system get normalized a bit faster, from my research and experience anyway.

I am currently considering Cimzia. I was thinking it would help with the arthritis as well. My Crohn's seems to be in remission and the arthritis always seems worse for me then, it's like when you block the disease from the intestine it comes out from the joints.

Isn't Humira supposed to be good for arthritis or joint pain?
I know Remicade is good for psoriasis but it gave me psoriasis which did resolve several months after I went off it. I don't quite understand the biologics as they can cause autoimmune diseases as well as cure them.

Some times I wonder if we are chasing this disease down in one form or another.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I had my regular 3 month blood work today, so we threw an ANA test on top of it for good measure. We'll see what that shows.

I'm not sure if it would do this if it is the Humira, but I do not notice the joint pain worse in the days following an injection and better in the day or two leading up to it. Kind of the same constant issues every day.

My doctor said the pred withdrawal could last a couple of months.

Yori - my thoughts too, I thought Humira was supposed to help with arthritis. It is odd that it is a possible side effect, too.

(((clonehead))) Sorry that you are suffering so. Here's hoping your surgery leads to a long long remission. Hugs!