Prednisone: It's a start!

Hello All,

This is offically my second sharepost. I had first written about advice on whether or not to start prednisone. The stress I was having is that I take a blood thinner for a rare blood disease, coumadin keeps me from throwing blood clots to my lungs or heart or brain, that could be a problem if that happened, wouldn't have to worry about the RA then;).....

Just playing, bad humour. Anyhow, my Doc pushed me into a corner and gave me the ultimate "you will take this or else speech", she was very stern and at the time I was not happy but I did what she wanted and started the prednisone. Low dose of 10 mg daily, it took about two weeks or so and I started to notice the swelling in my knuckles going down, range of motion in my shoulder getting back to more normal range and walking was not quite as painful. I have been recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. I have had Fibromyalgia, osteoartritis in my spine, spondylosis in my spine and the blood disease for about 11 years now. I've dealt with that rather well I thought. This RA is kicking my butt ....it started hitting me this last spring in my hands, wrist, ankles, knees and feet. Within two months, still not wanting to slow down my routines, I was so inflamed, swollen that I could barely walk and couldn't bend my wrist or put my hands into fist. Then my knuckles swelled to the point that they were touching with my fingers spread out. OUCH!!! I couldn't hold a pen to write or hold my camera without pain.

(I'm a photographer...this started to steal my joy). Very aggravating. So I started with slowing down, hot tub every morning for range of motion exercises, increase pain med, started prednisone two and a half months ago now, getting easier to deal with but still get frustrated with flare ups. I have been researching like crazy, learning alot, and have decided to try and help other people with arthritis too, if I can. I contacted the Arthritis foundation and received information on all types of help. I purchased a leadership manual from them to start a small arthritis information and support group in our area. (In the works, going well). I hope that we as a community of Arthritis survivors can help each other, lean on each other, learn from each other and will help each other too.

   So my input today is where I am at with my journey with another form of arthritis in my life. To answer my question from my first sharepost....

If you are on a blood thinner and need to take prednisone....You need to take caution with your INR/PT blood draws. The pednisone will change your coumadin levels. If you take Glucosamine/Boswellia for your arthritis you also need to get weekly blood draws for the levels will change. I am now taking less blood thinner and my hands are bending and I am walking  somewhat pain free....as you will now if you are a blood thinner patient stay with a steady diet, steady meds (prescribed or natural remedy) and keep up with a weekly blood draw until you are in correct range again. I wish all well, God Bless, Connie