Falling of the Prednisolone cliff

[easeytiger]

I finished my chemo mid November, had scans which showed stable disease and a lowering PSA. After Christmas I decided to start weaning myself off Prednisolone (a 6 month stint) which was OK but with that came increased bone pain. I have been told to start taking Prednisolone again (which I have) and am needing increased amounts of pain medication (oramorph), which doesn't seem to be working effectively. Does anyone else have similar experiences with this steroid?

[Hidden]

Steroids reduce inflammation and it's possible the Prednisone was reducing the pain while you taking it, but it sounds like it's been getting worse.

I would ask for imaging in the specific areas where you are having pain.

[Tall_Allen]

Corticosteroids reduce inflammatory pain and dampen the response of nocicoceptive (pain) nerves. You may find that less opiods are needed with it. Some also find that dexamethasone works better than prednisone and doesn't have the same effect on blood pressure. If you can get medical marijuana, that also may help other analgesics work better.

[easeytiger]

Latest update. Bloodwork shows my haemoglobin level is low, and I have an elevated liver function. Having a transfusion today and a CT scan.

[Zetabow]

I have lot of pain issues, they took me off Prednisolone (maybe because I developed high blood pressure) and put me on Diclopram, either way I'm still struggling.

If they come up with a solution I'll let you know. Seeing MO Friday and maybe my MRI results will enlighten him. My pain specialist is sick and was hoping to get these results earlier, she did double my opioids and Nuerontin but to little effect. It's also my first blood test since the subcapsular orchiectomy in Nov, kinda anxious to know if everything is stable, specially when the pain is just getting worse every month.

I had to take a medical for my drivers licence, they listed the drugs I've taken and currently taking (OMG huge list), I get to keep my car license but took away Motorcycle and Truck part.

[easeytiger in reply to Zetabow]

Good luck. I'd been on prednisolone for a long time so I don't think for me taking it is the problem.

[JLS1 in reply to easeytiger]

When the Zytiga + prednisone starts becomes less effective, switching from prednisone to dexamethasone can give you more time on Zytiga. This worked for my husband. The Dr. started him on a higher dose of dexamethasone 4mg, then brought it down to 1mg.