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Finally off pred, now joint pain

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Posted 6/15/2011 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
I'm finally off the prednisone after a very slow taper (took me 6 months). I never achieved remission, so decided to get off the devil pills.

Now I have horrible pain in my knees. After reading other threads I can see this seems to be common. Any idea how long I can expect this to last? Will it get worse before getting better? I was down to 2.5 mg one day yes one day no, should I continue?

And I'm still in a flare, 10 bms a day w mucous. The only relief is no more blood. Having a hell of a time retaining the mesalamine enemas, but I'm still trying.
Posted 6/15/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on being off prednisone Guategirl :)

I am sorry you're having joint pain. I've been off of prednisone for about 2 months and I still have some pain. I feel as if it has gotten worse but I think it will get better with time. I am sorry I don't have a technical answer for you.
Posted 6/15/2011 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
Seems like it was about 3 or 4 months before that cleared up. My knees and wrists were the worse.
Posted 6/15/2011 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
My joint pain cleared up after a month but yeah, I constantly felt like I just finished running. I'd wake up in the middle of the night and feel as if I'd been tensing my legs for hours. Really drove me crazy and ruined my sleep for awhile. If I remember right the doctor said it was a temporary myalgia and is just one of the many negative side effects. It goes away but your body has to start making all the chemicals that Prednisone was delivering for free. Certain organs get lazy when pharmaceuticals do their job for them.
Posted 6/15/2011 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on pred for very long years.  A couple of times I got down to 5mg and the joint/muscle pain begins.  I got off pred for 2 months this past January and it was the worst pain.  I could only walk down stairs one at a time, every muscle/joint in my body that I never knew existed hurt.  The longer I sit the more painful it would be for me to get up.  It is awful. 

For the two months earlier this year, I don't know if it got better or I became more used to it.  I have been off pred for a week now and I am beginning to be in pain again.  I have had two sessions with an acupuncturist and will know in a couple more weeks if it has helped or not.

I do not advocate this but the only time I felt better was when I had a few strong cocktails.  Since I can't take ibuprofen or aleve.  Tylenol doesn't help me much.

I mentioned this to my GI my last visit and he said I may need to go see an endocrinologist but I hope the acupuncture helps me and I am going to go for massage's again too.  I don't want any more pills! sad

Posted 6/15/2011 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
meant to say I was on pred for FOUR very long years.
Posted 6/15/2011 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback.

My knees and feet seem to be the worst. I'm just pissed that I had no clue about this. It seems like I harmed my body and never got the relief I was assured w the prednisone.

Beth: love your remedy. Will try it myself, along with smoking a few cigs (as suggested in another post). I figure I might as well continue trying new things!
Posted 6/15/2011 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
On and off for 2 1/2 years!
Posted 6/16/2011 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
I tapered off prednisone in March, had joint pain and thought it was due to tapering. Saw blood in BMs in May and after speaking with doc realized the joint pain was early indication of another flare... Or more appropriately the flare never going away. Back on prednisone now and just starting to discuss tapering again. Hopefully this isn't your case too, but keep in mind it may be an early sign of flare and not a result of your tapering.
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