Over 2 years of steroids will it stop? - Lung Conditions C...

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Over 2 years of steroids will it stop?

Offcut profile image
32 Replies

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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32 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

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.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply tosassy59

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?

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply toOffcut

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

helenlw7 profile image
helenlw7 in reply toOffcut

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.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply tohelenlw7

WOW!

helenlw7 profile image
helenlw7 in reply toOffcut

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.

Cloudancer profile image
Cloudancer in reply tohelenlw7

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.

helenlw7 profile image
helenlw7 in reply toCloudancer

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.

Cloudancer profile image
Cloudancer in reply tohelenlw7

Good luck with the knee surgury do let us know how you get on

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply toCloudancer

Thank you

watergazer profile image
watergazer

hi offcut. Use of steroid med more often than not results in osteoporosis. I believe people on steroids should have regular bone scans. It sounds like you’re doing well. Steroids always bump up my blood sugar levels. Take care x

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply towatergazer

It maybe I have changed some of my eating habits that has done it but overall, I seem to have had a positive effect. Plus, we have a dog (Recue) that does not like a lot of walking which suites me ;)

pegbl profile image
pegbl

Hi Offcut, pleased to hear something is working for you 👍 I like many other ended up with osteoporosis so I’m very wary of taking steroid. Take care. XxPeg

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply topegbl

I will bring this up as that has not been mentioned or at least I do not remember?

djbctla profile image
djbctla

Hi Offcut

What a very interesting read. Hope your GP appointment went well for you.

Bernardine

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply todjbctla

44mins to get an answer. But then they had no idea what I was talking about or aware of the form they sent me?

Cloudancer profile image
Cloudancer

Wishing you every success in your journey to reduce your steroid dose.

I have been on prednisolone for over17 years and have the usual side effects associated with it.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply toCloudancer

Will do, I am hoping the head pain is psychosomatic?

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

Good to hear from you, Offcut. That must have been a long telephone queue. All the best with reducing your steroids.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply toErgendl

I started with "You are 17th in the Queue"

Mooka profile image
Mooka

Are you on the GCA/PMR thread? You may get more help in steroid reducing on there. 5mg to zero in two weeks sounds a bit quick to me when you have been on such a high dose. Good luck whatever you decide.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply toMooka

Do you have the link?

Mooka profile image
Mooka

Go to my hub at the top of the page and click on find a community. Put GCA/PMR in the search box and that should take you there. They are a very knowledgeable group on people.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply toMooka

Found it will repost on their thanks! Did not know it was there?

Mooka profile image
Mooka in reply toOffcut

I'm sure you will find them helpful. Some are also on the Vasculitis UK thread.

Wendywiffle80 profile image
Wendywiffle80

If you let me know what area you are in I could send you the link to the support group near you

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply toWendywiffle80

Bedworth/Coventry

Wendywiffle80 profile image
Wendywiffle80 in reply toOffcut

Coventry contact is Ann Hollingsworth coventry@pmrgca.org.uk. she may be able to put you in contact with someone near you. Its worth a go as they have great info and others in the same boat.Good luck

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

Nice to see you Offcut, glad to hear most of your treatment is working. Sometimes long term drugs have to be altered as we get older/or been taking for many years. Your health seems reasonable considering the steroids, many people get osteoperisis as they get older without taking steroids. Steroids are the only drug as I understand it for Arteritis, my late husband had them for the more common polyateritis but only for six months. So heres wishing you well with any new regime you have to try. Trust your other conditions are stable. Isn't this sunshine good today? life goes on so make the most of a poor situation. Trust your wife is well too,time passers so things can change. Enjoy the rest of your day and hope the long telephone wait was productive.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply tokatieoxo60

Yes, my health in general has kept the same so cannot complain. Breathing not good but that will never get better unless I have some new lungs? The wife has got Osteopenia so is being checked regularly for that. Other than that, we are both good and hoping you are well too? We now have a 6-year-old Standard Poodle (Rescue) Who was not walked at all and just used for breeding 7 litters! So, he is not a long walker which suites me as we have a great nature walk by us that has plenty of seats for breaks. Which I think the dog loves as much as me?

Be Well

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60 in reply toOffcut

Enjoy them dog walks , even if slow . Glad to hear all is well with you both. My freind has injections for Osteopenia once every 6 months so far no broken bones or deterrioration just a little slower on her feet these days. I have had the virus which flared my other conditions but this late Autumn sun as regenerated a bit of my old self back so onwards and upwards to spring .

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply tokatieoxo60

Glad to hear that keep it up

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