I Want to Cheat w/ Pred

Posted , 7 users are following.

I have been taking 20 mg of pred for many month and being in pain, even so. My pain clinic dr was sure that my problem was the nerves of my lower spine were rubbing on the bone and I would feel better if I had an ablation. So I waited until I had one,which was yesterday. Now my lower back feels good, and it is a relief to me. But it didn't take away the pain in my hips/legs/ankles and my shoulders/neck/arms. I feel down-hearted, darn it. So I want to take an extra prednisonse each day. What do you think?

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0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    you should not take an extra 10 mg without your doctor giving his ok.

    a lot of doctors are not that familiar with polymyalgic rheumatica or relating diseases, in my case it took 12 months to diagnose correctly.

    I asked to be refered me to a rheumatologist and I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after body scans and blood tests, my inflamation was thriugh the roof even with prednisone . my advice to you is to ask for the same thing, and don't self diagnose as it's very dangerous.

  • Posted

    20mg is a pretty high dose and really not one you should stick at for ever without a very good reason - and yes, I agree that pain relief when nothing else works is a pretty good argument. However, if 20mg over months hasn't dealt with this pain, it really is very likely it isn't "just" PMR pain.

    The pain specialists here would START with the most likely way to deal with what they have identified as a cause - as yours did. It has probably achieved some relief and now that is dealt with they will have a clearer view of where to go next. I think you should wait until any adverse effect of the intervention has faded and see what they say. Pain begets pain in my experience - and it is pretty likely that your back muscles have suffered and deteriorated which in itself can cause pain. And referred pain.

    • Posted

      PS - taking even more pred will just mask what the pain specialist needs to know.

  • Posted

    Yes, thanks for your opinions. I think you are right. I also think I am pretty run down from not exercising very much. Now my back feels better, I can walk more easitly, so I've started walking up and down the hallway every day and will try to build up. I see the rheum. in a couple of months. I'll stick to 20 and maybe even try 18 after a few weeks. That was my plan before I felt unhappy yesterday about the pain.

    • Posted

      Exactly. Start your exercise program very slowly and build up very slowly - so slow you barely notice - and one day you will realize how far you've come and how much more you can do than at the beginning. Do keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on! Good Luck! 🍀

    • Posted

      As Anhaga says - exactly. My husband has been in hospital a few times in the last 9 months and hasn't done much in between as he wasn't fit enough - and now he is even less fit! It is a vicious circle, even a downward spiral. Patience Debbie - you will get there.

    • Posted

      I understand what you mean, Eileen. It feels like 2 steps forward and 1 back......literally as well as metaphorically. We're having a change of scenery tomorrow.....a different hospital, then back to the usual one in 3 weeks. Who knows where in between??

    • Posted

      No, always the same hospital - just different wards! Done Medicine, the Stroke Unit (not a stroke, just a handy ICU level bed), Surgery and Medicine again! More OP stuff to come - and this morning he got up all stiff and with a very sore hip - trochanteric bursitis anyone? Bless 😉

    • Posted

      Oh gosh, Eileen, sounds like between your OH and mine they have probably covered all the areas of the hospital except matty and gynae!!

    • Posted

      That would have been the place to send them - just think of the media interviews we could have sold! We could have retired ...

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