Steroids

[Bats49]

Hi fellow lupines I have been on steroids for over ten years but I have read posts which say they are on them for short periods just wondered what was the norm thanks for reading

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

This tends to vary a lot between people with lupus depending on which symptoms they experience, the severity of the symptoms, the dose of steroids, what other medication they are on, the extend of side-effects from steroids, overlapping conditions etc. It isn't that unusual to be on a low dose of steroids for a long period like yourself. What dose are you currently on?

[misty14]

Hi Bats

The thing with steroids is to keep them at the lowest possible dose to combat side effects but to achieve good health benefits . It can be a hard juggling act!. What dose are you on?. I am reducing them a mg a month and have gone from 20 mg to 14 mg daily. About to do 13 mg next week. Haven't been able to find a safe, therapeutic dose to stay on as my health has varied too much!. Are you on bone strengthening treatment as you've been on steroids a long time?. Hope I've helped X

[USAhousewife]

Hello there! I see you are in the same spot I was in 1978, I'm still on steroids, and it's 2014. I have a maintainence dosage of 10 mg a day. I go up to 80 mg and slowly taper back to the maintainence dosage. I've had every side effect known to man. I had my tummy removed and another created due to the steroids literally disolving my stomach walls. But I'm still here and that is what's important

USA Housewife

[Purpletop in reply to USAhousewife]

Goodness me, you poor thing! Have they tried you on immunosuppressants at all? How are you coping??

[Tigerlily4]

I cannot tolerate steroid tabs, which mess with my mental health, so have been taking injections of the long-lasting corticosteroid depo-medrone for about 10 years now. I don't believe there can be any "norm" when you battle lupus as we also invariably battle drug intolerances. If whatever is working for you, stick with it!