Steroids

[Mitzie71]

Hi there, I’ve had RA for nearly 6 years and take Methotrexate injections and Hydroxchloroquine and Sulfasalaline tablets daily. This week I had a bad flare and as I have a few in the last month I decided to speak to the Rheumy team at the hospital. The doctor prescribed me steroid tablets for a month. I remember I had a steroid injection when I was first diagnosed and it really helped me. I don’t think this is something you would want to take too often though. I guess because my flares have been more frequent of late they decided to deal with it head on. Anyone else had experience of steroids?

[Amy65]

Mitzie71 I have been on steroids on and off for 17 years oral and drip I to have RA and anklossing spondlittis. They really help dampen things down so try and take them hugs .

[Mitzie71 in reply to Amy65]

Thanks Amy65. Wow, I didn’t realise you could take long term (on and off). Take care

[SoulmanPaul in reply to Mitzie71]

Hi Mitzie.

It's a very individual thing also I believe some Rheumatologists are less keen on steroids than others. In my case I had the depo-medrone shot upon diagnosis to kick things off before the dmards took effect. I had another after a bad flare which seems to have triggered Shingles. So...no more shots! I was allowed Prednisone on one occasion for a week which worked like magic. However that was a one off and not been allowed it since. I'm 59 and age is a factor too due to increased risks.

If your Rheumy is happy to prescribe them they'll have weighed everything up so you've got no worries. Hope they work their magic for you!

Paul

[Mitzie71 in reply to SoulmanPaul]

Thanks for your reply Paul. Sorry you had Shingles after one of your shots, that’s nasty. Take care.

[helixhelix]

I'm on the same triple therapy as you, for 7 years rather than 6, and yes occasionally things go a bit pear shaped for a while. And in those circumstances I have had depomedrone injections, which calms things down instantly and for a good while after. I've maybe needed one no more than every 18 months. I won't take oral steroids as they make me go loopy.

Since then I've moved to France, and they won't give steroids by injection so they gave me and infusion instead. Did the trick...

And more recently my rheumy has suggested I consider taking 1mg or 2 mg daily steroid which apparently is low enough dose not to cause long term problems. I'm still thinking about it.

So for me steroids are a very useful part of my treatment.

[Mitzie71 in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for your reply it is interesting hearing other people’s experiences. Take care.

[Nain68cariad]

I am so sorry to hear about your flare ups. Obviously the drugs are not working. Steroids are great for reducing pain but have very bad side effects. Docs do not usually like to prescribe it. A shot in a joint is OK but tablets play up the entire blood system...

[Parker16-]

Yes and it really helped gave me a boost that I needed. In fact I am bad again now and hoping when I go back I will be able to get a short course of them as mine was last year.

[Joy_1]

For flares my Rheumatologist ups my steroids. They won't give jabs. I did have one when I first went to Clinic.

I find when I flare that within 48hrs the steroids work their magic. Then 1 week on it's a fast track back down again. I usually need 20mg to dampen the flare. I have tried 15mg in the past but it does not quite do it.