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Prednisone reaction & ANA Patterns

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Posted 6/14/2008 4:19 PM (GMT 0)

I'm b-a-c-k.  eyes

 

My sister checked with her doctor and gave it another go with the prednisone and had a bad reaction again.  sad This happened after taking only three doses of 10mg.  She experienced what she called flashes of light (pinpoints, I think), bad diarrhea with nausea, and a terrible case of nerves.  Anyone else??  She felt she had to discontinue it again.

 

Can I also get some feedback regarding what ANA patterns have been typical for everyone?  I've read about it and am trying to understand, but much of it is still confusing to me.  Regretfully, she is still in way too much discomfort (i.e., PAIN) to be able to dig into any of this for herself.

 

Thanks........

Posted 6/14/2008 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sister,

   I'm sorry to hear your sister is having such a hard time with the pred. It affects us all differently. It just makes me a little jittery depending on the dose and sometimes I get gas and bloating.

   As far as the ANA patterns this is a good link that expains them pretty good. Mine is the homogenous pattern. I hope this helps some. You and your sister will be in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                      Babs

  http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/anatestpatterns

Posted 6/14/2008 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Babs,


Here's what I'm not getting about the ANA Patterns: Hers say Homogeneous AND Speckled. My eyes are crossed and my mind foggy from trying to get a good handle on what that means. She also showed histones (among other things) as an antibody, which I understand to mean she may have a drug-induced SLE. But the doctor insists that is not the case. However, I looked up her BP med and that IS a possibility (RARE for hers--Hyzaar--but possible). 


The reaction to the prednisone was pretty extreme, so I guess she'll just keep plugging away with the plaquenil.


Thanks for the link and comments! (And I like the Bible verse.)

Posted 6/17/2008 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sister,
I have liver problems and different pills affect me differently, also I have endocrine problems, so steroids don't always work as planned. I found that the different brands and types of prednisone matter a great deal. I cannot take medrol dosepack anymore--though I could until fairly recently, medrol makes me have horrible psychiatric side effects and other bad reactions that make it unbearable to take. I mentioned this to my rheumie and he tried regular prednisone tablets (I don't know the brand--but he said this medication was well tolerated by the pickiest) and I can take that. I have bad psychiatric and other side effects on too low a dose or two high. There seems to be a perfect dose that I need to start at and taper length that I need. A lower longer taper was misery for me. A shorter taper at 20mg works for me with my liver and screwed up endocrine, but I should be on prednisone daily for my endo anyway, but can't get it yet.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble, the point is that if need be, there may be other steroid options. I have taken cortisone as well as some dexamethasone IV, which does little for me but relieve pain and make life more bearable, other people it would zonk them out.

You might also see what her endocrine and liver function is because if she has problems there, which is common with autoimmune disease, steroids dont always work the way they should.

I wish your sister the best, she is lucky to have a nice sis like you.
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