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PREDNISONE/Joint-Bone Issues

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Posted 8/28/2008 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have first hand knowledge of prednisone side-effects - specifically joint/bone issues? That is my main concern - the long term damage if I continue to take it during flares. I have allergy issues with all the sulfa stuff and 150 mg of imuran a day didn't keep me from getting flares. I was on that for 15 months and got 2 bad flares anyway that I had to take steroids for. So I stopped the imuran, had 3 blissful symptom free months, then injured my back and had to take ibuprofen for 2 days and that started a flare. So, I'm considering the jpouch surgery so I can stop the prednisone. Otherwise, I fear I might be facing hip, knee, shoulder replacement surgery because of the damage. I would rather have one surgery - not 6. Anyhoo, any first hand knowledge about this stuff or thoughts on it would be appreciated as I weigh out this rather difficult decision.
Posted 8/28/2008 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was on prednisone off and on (about 60% of the time on) for a year, then on Entocort (which is "supposed" to not be systemically absorbed) for four years. I had a pathological fracture of both of the bones in my lower leg, requiring pretty extensive surgery to repair. I developed type II diabetes. I also got a condition called avascular necrosis in my right shoulder. In this condition, the blood supply to a bone is interrupted and the bone begins to die. In my case, it developed in the end of the long bone in my upper arm. It is progressive and extremely painful, and mine was halted only after two surgeries and a partial shoulder replacement.

Remicade currently is maintaining me in remission, and I've been off all steroids since February 2006. I won't even use a steroid nasal spray for my allergies! I would have surgery rather than take steroids again if it comes to that.
Posted 8/28/2008 10:40 PM (GMT 0)

I don't know anything about the damage but I did opt for jpouch surgery 7 years ago because I began fearing the long term side effects of steroids more than I feared surgery.  Along with bone issues prednisone can also affect the eyes so be sure to have annual eye exams and let your optometrist know of your pred history.  As a former pred user I urge you to find other options to pred if you flare again.  I was fortunate to have zero pred side effects after 2.5 years of consistent use; others aren't as lucky.

Sue

Posted 8/28/2008 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
When I was diagnosed with UC, I was put on prednisone right away. I became steroid dependent almost instantly and was never able to be off prednisone for more than a month without flaring. So for the first two or three years, it was on for one/two months, off for one month and then back on. Four years later at age 19 I had a bone density scan which showed that I have osteopenia in my lumbar spine and femur neck. If you ask me, 19 is much to young to already be developing osteoporosis!! I've been on it several times since and it no longer really works for me, but I haven't had a follow up scan to see if there has been increased damage, which I'm sure there has. I frequently have joint pain and weakness nowadays, especially when I'm flaring.

In addition to that, I used to have perfect vision and then a year ago I had an eye exam and discovered I badly needed glasses, and my eyesight has already worsened since then.

Needless to say... I hate prednisone and will do anything to stay off it now.
Posted 8/28/2008 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Yep it causes joint pain as well as reduces your calcium and can thin your bones. Most docs do not follow up. A good thing to do is take extra calcium and vitamin D, and also potassium. Most docs don't replenish that potassium and you do need it. I just left the hospital for 8 days and they had to put me on a potassium drip for it. Take care of yourself - remember the Prednisone should only be used for short term and usually its benefits outweigh its side efffects.
Posted 8/29/2008 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I have taken prednisone on and off for more than 20 years, generally no more than a few months at a time. Side effects I experienced when on it were thumping heart, weird hand and feet muscle cramps (potassium deficiency), moon face and paper skin, ravenous hunger, sleeplessness, etc...but all clears up when I go off it. I get blood screening for kidney damage as well as bone density testing, including again just recently, and am A-OK. I do strength training, and it helps I hope.
So I suggest bone density testing to get some info & peace of mind before deciding on surgery for that reason.
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