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has anyone felt a differnce in 2.5mg of predisone

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Posted 6/22/2008 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
 Hello,

my doctor is starting to taper me down of predisone even though my blood work is not great. I wasn't having joint pain at the time but a week later im having some joint pain also having pain in my legs. She said that she is going to change my Imuran to cellcept because she fells that the Imuran is not working for me. Has anyone had this Im starting to get depressed again.. sad

Posted 6/22/2008 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I feel a difference with just 1 mg change in prednisone -- part of that is because I am at a low dose (9 mg) to start with. I didn't have any results with over a year on Imuran but have had MIRACLE results with Cellcept. Everyone seems to react differently to lupus and differently to the medications. Hang in there,
Posted 6/22/2008 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
really well that is exicting about cellcept! How long have you been on it. and did exeperience alot of side effects? thank you for responding.
Jessie
Posted 6/22/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
When my doc wanted me to start mtx and I did not want to she told me to cut my pred from 5 mgs to 2.5 mgs. Six days later I called and begged for the mtx I went from feeling really good with only an occasional swollen joint but really high CRP to four swollen joints not able to sleep because of the pain in just two days at the lower pred dose. The other four days were just me convincing myself that mtx was better than being sick all the time. So yes, 2.5 mgs can make a huge difference.
Sj
Posted 6/22/2008 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
im sorry to hear that. I have to keep tapering down to 10mg i wonder how im gonna feel next week. This really sucks Im so tired of being tired. thank you for the info.

one more question did you find that you retained fluid when decreasing?
Posted 6/22/2008 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi JessieRose,

 

Prednisone is a very powerful drug.  I feel a difference on a 1/2mg change in my dose.  Like Lynnwood mentioned, she feels a change on 1mg.  That's why it's so important to taper down very, very slowly.  Even a small change in the dose will make your body react in a positive or negative way.  So go slow!! Especially when you're entering the "low dose" ranges of 10mg or less.  Small tapers of .5 or 1mg will make big differences to you.

 

Good luck on the Cellcept! I've heard really good things about it!!

I forgot to answer your last question... I find that I retain less water at the lower doses, not more.  It could be different for each person though.  The best way to combat water retention is to actually drink more water.

Posted 6/24/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Im having the same problem right now... I am tapering to 7.5 from 10mg of pred. Not fun at all.. Within one day I gained 5lb. in swelling and had very bad joint pain. Now I have been alternating the two hoping I can get off of this drug. The only thing different is Im starting mtx. Good luck with your tapering!

Posted 6/24/2008 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
bigsanfer,
the mtx is what finally let me get off pred. I took mtx for 8 weeks before attempting to taper then tapered right on schedule with no problems at all and have now been off pred for about two weeks.
Posted 6/25/2008 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your taper, JessieRose! I , also, notice water retention when I am tapering down from pred. I am on a low dose of pred right now, too, and my rheumy wants me to try to taper off completely. I have not had much luck with this, however, because I immediately experience increased joint pain and increased inflammation as soon as I go below 7 or 8 mg.

Good luck, also, with cellcept. I have read many great stories from members here who have done well on cellcept. I pray this works for you, too!
Posted 6/25/2008 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
CellCept works awesome for me! I am also tapering off prednisone. I was scared at first to try it too, but I really do think it is the right med for me right now. I hope it works as well for you. Keep us updated.
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