Good news from rhuemy today!

Well, not great on a GRAND scale, but helpful all the same. I get to start ramping down my prednisone. I'm only on 15mg, the move from 10 to 15mg several months ago has caused significant weight gain (Read: CARB Cravings!!!) I have also been feeling really moody and agitated lately, I'm hoping that is from too much pred. I get to go down to 14mg for 4 weeks, if all's ok then I can go down to 13mg, then I see rheumy again. And, I think this may have been the first time since I started seeing the rheumy (fall 2000) that I *DID NOT* have a list of symptoms to take to him. This either means 1) I'm healed (not), 2) I'm happy with how I'm feeling, or 3) I was too zoned out to make a list this time. I'm thinking 2) fits best -- My trial at working full-time failed, then there was a dysfunctional dance about whether I was going to work there part-time or not, but that's all been gone for a couple of weeks and I feel much better! <NOTE: Much less stress! > Going to try sleeping again, it's late.

Well, I finally slept from 3:30-7:30....a normal night for me is more like 10 hours! Hippimom - If you think it will help you feel better (I think I remember that you're on 10mg), I would suggest asking the dr if you could go up to 15 for a few weeks, then immediately start ramping back down. I really think I could've gone back down sooner than this, if I had only thought to ask! Most of my weight gain has been in the last 6 months, and I'm sure is also related to exercise level (moderate walking) going from 45 minutes down to 0 as I was trying to work. (I like blaming prednisone, esp, in the middle of the night.) Given the alternative between pain/fatigue and a little weight (which can be controlled if you're strict w/yourself when the carb carvings come); I'd still go with a small increase in prednisone -- esp. since I think you are in a temporary flare from hubby being gone & from still doing too much even without working. Just my $.02. Hope you feel better soon,

Lynnwood, that IS good news! I'm agree with Hippi -- sounds like you have a good rheumy who's going to take you down very slowly. If you can handle the taper, you'll start to lose those cravings and won't gain any more weight. Good for you.

Pat

Hi Lynnwood,

I am very happy to hear that you can begin to decrease your prednisone!!!!! I like how your rheumie is lowering 1 mg at a time in order to keep you from a severe flare up. I am hoping this works well for you and you don't flare up as you lower gradually. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you during this time. Keep us posted on how things are going with it.

I wonder how lowering 1 mg slowly would help Hippiemom too instead of 5 mg increments.

Hope you enjoy you r weekend.
Leta

Hi Lynwood, good luck with the tapering.
I've never know of tapering by only 1mg before so I'd be interested how that works. Hope you continue to be happy with how you feel.
Note to self: Stress is Badddddddddddddddd
Take care x x

Hi Lynn,

   It's good to hear that you are tapering down now. I hope that goes well for you and you continue to feel better each day. Keep us updated and take care. I hope your sleeping better tonight as well. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                  Babs

Lynnwood, good luck with the taper. I hated being on pred long term even at 10mg I recently did 40mg for 4 days then 20 for 2 10 for 2 and 5 for 2 then back to nothing. I really hate the high doses but I feel so darned good on 40-50mg of pred.

No difference, but it's only been 3 days!