prednisone and flare ups

alexb73

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 27

Posted 10/15/2008 8:10 PM (GMT 0)

for those on prednisone i have a question

prednisone weakens the immune system so i'm wondering how lupus symptoms are still able to flare when someone is on prednisone.

does the immune system adapt to the prednisone and find a way around it?

Barbara Lee

Veteran Member

Joined : Sep 2003

Posts : 2889

Posted 10/15/2008 11:08 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Alex:

Welcome to the forum. As far as pred lowering the immune system it does do that, but sometimes it's not enough to stop a flare. I think most of us here are on immuno suppressant drugs besides pred. I've had lupus for 21 yrs and I've taken every medication to treat lupus except for Arava and Gold.

Now, I'm really sick and have only worsened each year since 2001. In addition to having lupus I has RA and Fibro. I found out 2 yrs ago I have blood cancer in addition to everything. I'm so immuno suppressed and my body is still flaring I live with chronic pain 24/7. I don't believe I'll ever be well again. I need a bone marrow transplant to save my life. I think back and consider would I have taken the medication that I did that caused my cancer. I have to say I'm not so certain. Even though my Doctors did warn me about the risk I was taking.

Anyway, to answer your ? sometimes pred just isn't enough of a suppressant. If you need any more ?'s answered please ask away. You're gonna meet great ppl here. Again, welcome and looking forward to getting to know you.

Best Wishes,
Barbara

hippimom2

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2005

Posts : 5403

Posted 10/15/2008 11:18 PM (GMT 0)

alex, that's a good question and Barb answered it well. I don't think our immune systems adjust to the prednisone, but like Barb said, sometimes the pred just isn't enough to hold off a flare. I think that most of us who are on long term prednisone are on as low of a maintenance dose as possible, so at the lower doses, a person can end up flaring. That's when a lot of us have to increase our dose to get us through a flare.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply