The rheumy just upped my methotrexate inj. to 15 mg or cc's Which Is It??!! But I'm only on one 5 mg prednisone per day. The more I read around here I'm thinking Only One?? These people are on like 4 or 5 or 6 a day. Any ideas why I'd only be taking one. I am on Lortab 7.5 from my PCP, and thank God for that or I would never get out of bed, I hurt so bad. My ankles today, have disappeared, I now have cankles, goes straight from calf to foot. A very swollen foot. I was walking around too much today. And when I walk I feel like someone is ripping my feet apart from each side. Usually when I stand up my hips feel like they're going to fall apart or out of socket or something and that crap HURTS. Does anyone ever feel like this? I've only had 3 injections and I know it takes time but really, I've been this way for several years and just recently diagnosed. Could I just get a moriphine drip and let them wake me up once all these meds. start working and I feel like a real person again??!!
Q: Only one 5mg tablet of Prednisone a day?
The issue is less how much prednisone yours getting then whether it's enough to give you relief. It's clearly not giving you relief, so I would suggest that you contact your rheumatologist and ask for a higher dose. I occasionally advocate a strategic use of tears to bring home to the doctors just how bad things are. You're obviously in a massive flare and waiting the 6-8 weeks for the methotrexate to take effect in this kind of condition is completely unreasonable and risks permanent damage to joints. It's an unfortunate reality of having a chronic illness that we have to become strong and assertive advocates for ourselves while in a situation where you have very little energy. Put your foot (gently) down and if your doctor doesn't listen, speak to your family doctor, who's clearly is on your side. Maybe he can give you more prednisone or refer you to rheumatologist who's more tuned in.
hi jackie,
i'm on plaquenil 250 mg 2x a day, and 5 mg of pred 1x a day. i was on plaq for about 2 months (without relief but it takes 2-5 months to kick in) when 5 mg of prednisone was added to my meds. within in a week, the pain was gone! the stiffness was gone! i was HUMAN again. i didn't really think 5 mg was going to make that big a difference, but it did. i've been on pred since oct. i talked to the nurse in my rheumy's office and found out she's been on pred for 31 yrs!! she said it's a miracle drug, and she's had no side effects... neither have i. she said she gets little aches and pain (as do i) but she said it has worked wonders. i have yet to go into a flare since i've been on it, and the thought of the next 'flare' lurking scares me a little, but for now, i'm just living my life like a normal person. i'm not saying pred could or could not work for you, but we're all different, and our bodies work differently, so give it a week, and see how it goes... i'm sure you'll get to feeling better! ~Des
I feel your pain. Sorry that you are hurting. I've had RA fro 17 yrs now with up and down days. Mac truck days to run around the block days.
When I was first diagnosed with RA it was mainly in my wrist; unfortunatly it has progressed to many joints. My Dr injected my wrist with Corisone many times over the yr... I should have counted. I only had temporarry relief. Yrs later my wrist was in such bad shape, I found out, because the cartlidge disintegrated do to too many cortisone shots. I had not been told that you should not have more than a few shots in any one joint because it can cause this. Unfortunatly, I had to have my wrist fused. Please ask you MD about this. Be your own advocate.
I've been telling people too to bet a food allergy test. I found out that I am intollerant/allergic to Gluten and eggs. My RA has not gone away by elliminating these foods but I find that now when I do eat them I have a flare up. Food allergies can cause immune responces.
Be well and I hope that you have a pain free day... ;)
Julie
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
