Prednisone dose-how high, how long....

[kimb]

All righty then, this is my 3rd year on Prednisone. Basically I havent been able to get lower than 10mg because of recurrent pericarditis(inflamation around the heart)5 times in the last year.

I know it takes a long time to taper and get off pred., but I have been on an average of about 17mg daily. Doses have varied from April 05, -100mg . The last 8 months have been up and down from 40mg twice a day to no lower than 10mg.

Has ANYONE else been on a good dose of prednisone(higher than 17mg daily) for a really long time?
I know it helps alot of people, and for me, it may be longer term than I hope, but how long can we take it?-I mean handle it? On doses higher than 15mg daily? It seems to be my best weapon, but...... I want off!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tantrum.gif

Tell me about your long term pred-peeves style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/overhere.gif

kimb

[rwb200]

Hello Kim
My wife has been on Pred for years.
Better part of 20 years now except fpr one two year period where she was on nothing in the middle of this.
She has taken 60 per day and less depending on what problems she is having.
She has been on 20 mg or more for several years and anytime she got it down had to take it right back up again because of problems.
Since she has shown very severe reactions to over 14 other medications now it is about all they can use on her at this time.
It has not been without its price but it is all that works so she is stuck with it. The Pred has caused Osteo and Decalcifacation of the teeth for her.
The amount you can take and what it will do is hard to say as we all react diferently to medications. the best thing to do is just be aware of all of the things that your meds can do and watch out for these as much as you can.
With Pred you should be checked from time to time for Osteo. It is a very simple procedure if you have not had it and does not take long to do.
If you have not had it then ask about it. Also insure you get regular checkups with your Dentist and have your eyes checked from time to time by a good eye doctor who can watch for eye problems associatted with drugs.
They should either know or have access to the information on what to look for based on your medication list and Health History.

If at any time you start to feel something is not right then get it checked fast. A good knowledge of your medications and the possible complications with them can be a big help in doing this.
We always keep a good drug book at home to check and see what they say because many of the books list more then your typical drug store pamplet on the drugs and also listed knwon interactions.
We get a new book every couple of years because drugs change fast in them.

[Debbie28]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rwb200 @ Jul 13 2006, 06:07 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Hello Kim
My wife has been on Pred for years.
Better part of 20 years now except fpr one two year period where she was on nothing in the middle of this.
She has taken 60 per day and less depending on what problems she is having.
She has been on 20 mg or more for several years and anytime she got it down had to take it right back up again because of problems.
Since she has shown very severe reactions to over 14 other medications now it is about all they can use on her at this time.
It has not been without its price but it is all that works so she is stuck with it. The Pred has caused Osteo and Decalcifacation of the teeth for her.
The amount you can take and what it will do is hard to say as we all react diferently to medications. the best thing to do is just be aware of all of the things that your meds can do and watch out for these as much as you can.
With Pred you should be checked from time to time for Osteo. It is a very simple procedure if you have not had it and does not take long to do.
If you have not had it then ask about it. Also insure you get regular checkups with your Dentist and have your eyes checked from time to time by a good eye doctor who can watch for eye problems associatted with drugs.
They should either know or have access to the information on what to look for based on your medication list and Health History.

If at any time you start to feel something is not right then get it checked fast. A good knowledge of your medications and the possible complications with them can be a big help in doing this.
We always keep a good drug book at home to check and see what they say because many of the books list more then your typical drug store pamplet on the drugs and also listed knwon interactions.
We get a new book every couple of years because drugs change fast in them.
[/b][/quote]


Hi Kim

I was on 50mg a day of pred, I did have higher dosage in hospital through IV drip, when I was very ill, been up and down with it over the past few years, now on 10mg per day , cant seem to get below that at present, I have been very glad of this medication, just not pleased with the side effects, weight gain, moon face etc etc.....but nevertheless if it keeps things under control, you dont have much choice ! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

debbie style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

sorry posted the above in the wrong part !!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/oops.gif

[raggedyann1]

Kimb,

Besides prednisone are you on any steroid sparing medications? Methotrexate, Imuran or Cellcept? For some patients prednisone becomes life long but many patients are able to get off of prednisone once one of the meds above kicks in and starts working.

Take care,
Karen

[kimb]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(raggedyann1 @ Jul 13 2006, 08:41 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Kimb,

Besides prednisone are you on any steroid sparing medications? Methotrexate, Imuran or Cellcept? For some patients prednisone becomes life long but many patients are able to get off of prednisone once one of the meds above kicks in and starts working.

Take care,
Karen
[/b][/quote]

Karen,
Yes, I am also on Methotrexate and Colchicine. I take 10mg weekly of the Metho. I have asked about increasing the Metho. as I decrease the Pred. Dr. says......not yet. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/aww.gif I was hoping that maybe, if I increased the metho, I could get down a little more on the pred.
Pred does wonders for me, aside from, yes, the awful sides, but.....tapering with out symptoms flaring is the trick! Whats strange is, when I do get low and I get my chest problems, my joints seem to be ok, just the pericarditis inflamation....humm? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/shrug.gif


I have had the Dexa scan, and yes, there is signs of osteoporosis in my lower back. I have been on Fosamax in the past, but was off for a year, and now it is not going well with my stomach. will try something else I guess.

I hope to at least be on a lower maintance dose than 15mg daily. I guess, what helps is what works for the time being.
I do feel great while on Pred. I may not sleep the best, and may have more energy than anyone person can handle, but....my house sure gets clean! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bigsmile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/woohoo.gif
kimb

[merryooch]

i have only been on 8 mg twice a day for 3 years, next month he is going to start me on a different drug, maybe azathropine (sp?) i also take plaquenil 200mg twice a day, i am 35 and have the beginning of osteoporosis in my hip. i have a TAH/BSO a year ago, and can not take fosamax,actonel, or boniva, so i drink alot of milk.