Steroids

[Outhwaite1]

I have rheumatoid arthritis I have been on steroids for the last 5 to 6 years I have now got osteoporosis resulting in back fractures which has left me with a dowager's hump which I've been told was through taking steroids for so long I have now been put on HUMIRA and my consultant has said that if that starts working I can come off of the steroids this is going to be my forth IV injection or HUMIRA it seems to be working so far so just to warn everybody that steroids have more side effects than any other medication so please beware when you've been on steroids for a long time check with your consultant about side effects

[hawker955]

Outhwaite, Yes, steroids do indeed have very wide-ranging side-effects of which osteoporosis is potentially the most painful! The docs do seem keen to avoid long-term use for this reason if at all possible, even including local injections eg into joints. IME they do take the risks seriously!

[pip12]

Yes I have the same problem. Cannot have steroid injections anymore due to osteoporosis. I have several back fractures and find walking really painful and now have to have a wheelchair when I go out. It’s heartbreaking really as the injections where brilliant for me, now the only thing I am on is oral morphine which I wasn’t really happy with so returned to co-codamol. I didn’t know at the time that the injections would have such a bad effect.

[Simba1992]

And still so many Ra sufferers are on longterm steroid medication..😢

[Outhwaite1]

Thanks everybody for your replies it's nice to know I'm not the only one that's had this problem with steroids unfortunately it's Robbed me now Iof looking after my grandchildren as much as I'd like to have done still hey ho I have got a mobility scooter I can get around a bit and I can walk with crutches but it wasn't the retirement I was thinking of having all those years ago

[Fra22-57]

I am on 10 mg prednisolone and have been on for 5 years. My rheumatologist said I was on them for life.I have had few falls but thankfully haven't broken bones.I have bad blood disorder order too etc.

I am suffering what think is sciatica but now after reading this will get checked over by my GP

[Hopeful1]

My RA consultant ordered a DEX scan of bones to check risk of osteoporosis from frequent heavy steroid use over a few months . As the result showed some bone density loss he put me on preventative medicines. ( I now have best fingernails for years!). I believe this DEX scan check is good practice for all with more than occasional steroid use

[Hopeful1]

 a few seconds agoHopeful1

My RA consultant ordered a DEX scan of bones to check risk of osteoporosis from frequent heavy steroid use over a few months . As the result showed some bone density loss he put me on preventative medicines. ( I now have best fingernails for years!). I believe this DEX scan check is good practice for all with more than occasional steroid use

[Outhwaite1]

Yes a DEXA Scan is good to have because that's how I found out I had osteoporosis it's good to ask the rheumatologist if you can get one done if you haven't already but I would try and sort out the steroid problem it just seems that sometimes you get these medications and they just keep you on them forever. I appreciate that steroids do a good job in the short term but if you can possibly avoid them I would but there seems to be a lot of different treatments around at the moment so it's just doing what's best for you

[nomoreheels]

I also have RD & been on steroids around 5 years but what concerned me is you don't mention having had a DEXA scan. I had my first when still living abroad & have had them every other year since. Fortunately I remain borderline osteopenia/osteoporosis & whilst I no longer take bisphosphonates I do take a daily AdCalD3 (neither of which you mention either) & include dairy in my mainly Mediterranean diet. I'be had no fractures thankfully & my T score is on a downward trend.

Please do talk with your Rheumy if any of this is relevant to you. I'm sorry you have been so affected by steroids but it looks hopeful for Humira, I hope you continue to respond well to it.