prednisolone

[fifi6]

Hi, I have quite mild lupus fortunately but recently I have had a lot of stress in my life and am having an awful flare. I do not take any medication. I went to see my rheumatologist who suggested a short course of steroids. Would anyone be able to help me as to whether they work and help with joint pain and awful fatigue? I am always very reluctant to take medication but I am exhausted.

[PMRpro]

If the symptoms are due to inflammation the pred will almost certainly reduce them quickly. He is only talking about a short course and then you will stop, there is no need to taper. If they don't work you don't need to take them again - not that that is necessarily the end of the world. Pred is a very powerful and effective antiinflammatory and has been used for over 60 years so there isn't much they don't know about it.

[sarahsch in reply to PMRpro]

I had a major flare from 20mg prednisolone for 5 days. I really wouldn't want anybody to go through what I did so ALWAYS TAPER STEROIDS if you have a CTD.

[stiff19]

I just recently posted on prednisolone and did help with inflammation and feeling bit better and I was willing to try anything to feel better and such a short course had nothing to lose but turns out some to gain and I was exhausted but they helped that. its a personal choice but I was glad I took them

[Smudge4465]

Morning, its a balance and a choice. Personally I got to the point where I did not have a life and I said ‘please just give them to me’. The difference was phenomenal. I’m 59 and cycle 100 miles plus a week now. Have a very full life. Steroids also saved my life whilst in ITU on another occasion. Both Lupus connected. What have you got to lose on a short term course? See what difference it makes, take it from there? Best wishes. Hope yr feeling better soon

[Awwy]

Hi,

I just had a short 4 week course of steroids. They do work. I was really fatigued and muscle weakness.

Feel much better now.

Hope you feel better soon.

[fifi6 in reply to Awwy]

thank you for your advice, would be lovely not to feel so fatigued, glad you feel better.

[Awwy in reply to fifi6]

I hope you feel better soon.

[Jo191]

I am in the same situation. I was given a 2 week course yesterday. Am I likely to get bad side effects? We are going away this weekend and don’t want to ruin it. Thank you

[Cherrytheperi in reply to Jo191]

You will probably feel fantastic and your symptoms will subside although you might wake up ridiculously early with bundles of energy!

[fifi6 in reply to Cherrytheperi]

To have lots of energy would be wonderful 😊

[fifi6 in reply to Jo191]

I started taking mine today, I hope you soon feel better..

[sarahsch]

I had a major flare after taking 20mg prednisolone for 5 days without taper. Short courses CAN trigger flares so please be careful.I was in agony. Every joint in my body was inflamed. We couldn't find enough pain killers to easy it. I had a temperature, & developed a rash across the top of my back.

I couldn't move my right arm. It felt like someone had wrapped a rubber band all around it & was pulling it tight. At the hospital they couldn't get a blood sample out of it. When they switched to the unaffected arm, blood shot out at speed. The inflammation damaged the nerves & it was 3 months before I got full use of the arm back.

So please be cautious particularly if you are not medicated.

Take care,

Sarah x

[Lovemydogs1]

In my experience steroids work quickly and have made a huge difference to my quality of life

[nottypical]

They work - but I don't like the side effects. Uncountably vary person to person. For me it was becoming overemotional. I burst into tears when someone kindly offered to take my tray for me in McDonalds. I had a mixed response when I asked if I could just take one tablet of say 50mg next time I got so stiff it was difficult to stand up. If it had to be several weeks tapering not sure if I'd want to.

[stiff19 in reply to nottypical]

its funny how we are all different, I felt worse years before when on low dose 7 day courses and tapering than I do this high short non taper course 🤷‍♀️

[MrsMarigold]

Hi fifi6. I have to be off my 400 mg of hydroxy for 3 months as I’m taking diflucan for 90 days for oral thrush. It is very difficult to rid my body of candida. Anyway, I had gotten my self down to 3 mg day of prednisone and now with inflammation and pain I’m taking 5 mg prednisone. This all sounds contradictory since steroids can cause yeast infections. My experience is prednisone helps my pain, inflammation and brain fog tremendously. When I decrease it, even a short course I go very slowly. I’ve experienced outlined short course therapy by my doctors and I always do it differently than they prescribe. There are people who do not have problems. If you really need the help, the boost of prednisone I’d take it.

[Tykle]

I have found prednisolone is is great for shortening flares and usually gets me back on track, and even if that means taking it for a little longer, it's worth it.

[fifi6 in reply to Tykle]

That’s good to know I started them today because I’m fed up with feeling tired and aching..

[Tykle in reply to fifi6]

I hope they work for you and you soon feel better.

[NanaFifi]

Hi fifi6,

I too have mild lupus (I also have RA) and I find everything flares when I’m stressed. I have many times in the past had short sharp course of steroids which made a tremendous difference.

The way I look at it is try it and see, if it helps then it’s a plus and if not at least you’ve tried. X

[fifi6 in reply to NanaFifi]

Hi NanaFifi

I have been terribly stressed so that’s really good to know that a short course has helped you.. thank you for your kind reply x