Over 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Temporal Arteritis. Treatment was 75mg of Steroids a day! Now that was a very strange time on how my body reacted to it? It did reduce the pain but it also attacked my skin and all those little bio's that happily co-exist on my body were attacked by the steroids. it was like being a teenager with a spotty face but all over me this time! After a long-drawn-out reduction process my Temporal Arteritis had not completely gone away! So, a 5mg a day for the next 2 years was the plan.
Overall, it was not a bad option to take and I did not have a lot of side effects from them? In fact, it seemed to have done me some good? I have not had any bad chest infections and for some reason my heart conditions have not changed in the last 18 months which has confused my PH consultant in Sheffield. As he was convinced it would have got a lot worse! My PH is still very high so I should have done something to the stress on the heart? Also, while this has been going on my Diabetes Type 2 has dropped to normal levels? (But I am still classed as Diabetic?)
Now it was decided by my Rheumy that as I still have a sensitive skull that I reduce my 5mg to zero over the next 2 weeks then a little wait and a blood test to see if there are any inflammation showing which will mean another look at what plan of action to take? It could mean a lifelong steroid plan? Or maybe something else?
I have managed to type all this while waiting in their queue for an appointment with my GP for a Telephone appointment for my COPD/RLD Review! I am now number 2 in the queue!
Be Well
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Covid Pnumonia Recovery - 12 month update
Having to take steroids is generally thought of as really quite bad but it does seem as if they can do good although not long term perhaps. Pete started on 30mg of pred back in 1991 resulting in osteoporosis. He’s been on 10mg per day for years now and I don’t see that changing.
I hope that whatever plan you’re put on, it works well for you. Take care Offcut.
Thanks. I have to take a tablet for the bones once a week and then wait for an age before I can take anything else because of threat of osteoporosis?
Yes Pete had to do that. He has a different tablet now because he has osteoporosis anyway. Nothing was done until too late. Sounds as if you’re being well cared for. Xxx
I’m permanently on steroids, which has its negative points, but on the plus side I can breathe and move my hands! I also took Adcal to prevent osteoporosis. I’m on a holiday from it at the moment because it can make bones break randomly - a friend broke a leg walking downstairs.
WOW!
An osteoporosis consultant advised me to come off it for 12 in January, then I’ll have another bone density scan in January 2023 and go from there.
So pleased to hear that you can breathe and move your hands.I am also on prednisolone permanently -whilst the side effects can be life changing I would not be here today without this medicine.So I count myself very very blessed .Wishing you well.
I agree with the advantages of steroids. I was able to carry on working for an extra 10 years with the help of the steroids, and now I’ve found an orthopaedic surgeon to replace my knee without me stopping the steroids - I was turned down by one in 2018.
Good luck with the knee surgury do let us know how you get on
Thank you