Steroids

[Sammie48]

I was a member 2 weeks ago but ive had to become a member again. Anyway i star mxt in january 2020. My rheumy has had me start 10ml of steroids per day which i started yesterday. Im absolutely exhausted, has this happened to anyone else ?

[Lolabridge]

Hi Sammie, welcome back.

Do give the steroids another day or two to work their magic. I think you will be feeling far less tired very soon and notice a reduction in your other symptoms. It's the RA that causes the tiredness, but it will improve as the disease comes under control. I hope the MTX will do that for you in the New Year but the steroids should tide you over until it takes effect.

[Sammie48 in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you but the tiredness started the day i took the steroids. Ive been flaring since june but think a call to my pharmacist may be in order

[AgedCrone in reply to Sammie48]

It’s very unlikely to be the steroids....they usually hype you up.

But once you start taking the methotrexate don’t get lulled into staying on prednisolone.

Talk to your rheumatologist & try to get the correct dose of Mtx that will control theRA......rather than upping the steroids.

[Sammie48 in reply to AgedCrone]

Im only on the steroids for a few weeks

[AgedCrone in reply to Sammie48]

That’s what a lot of people say.......it takes a LOT of courage to stop if the Dmard doesn’t work well!

[nomoreheels]

Welcome back Sammie. I would have thought it's the RD causing the tiredness (or fatigue). Having only just started the prednisolone yesterday you won't have had experienced their effect, give it a day or two & things will be different I'm sure.

[Sammie48 in reply to nomoreheels]

No ive been flaring since june but on monday i slept 6 hours straight that was after my 1st dose of steroids. Only been sleeping a few hours at a time before that

[Pinkypie2018 in reply to Sammie48]

Could be your body adjusting to the steroids, but enjoy your sleep while you can as steroids can keep you awake at night, I'm sure you will start feeling their benefits in a few days.

[Sammie48 in reply to Pinkypie2018]

Ive called my specialist nurse. I am enjoying more sleep though lol

[Pinkypie2018 in reply to Sammie48]

We all definitely enjoy our sleep, I remember once I got my first steroid injection I slept loads for the first 3 days and it was just bliss lol, but the tablets I found do hype you up too much and its hard to switch off at night but it does take a few days to start working.

[nomoreheels in reply to Sammie48]

Well, according to NICE sleep disorders are listed as a common side effect but I understand that as disruptive sleep not restful. If I was you I’d enjoy it while you can as you’ve not been sleeping well!

[Monkeysmum]

Hi Sammie, I’ve had a few courses of steroids and generally they give me more energy, but with the last course I felt completely wiped out, and very weak in the legs. I couldn’t wait to get off them to be honest! Let us know what your nurse/pharmacist say, I’d be interested to find out.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Sammie48 in reply to Monkeysmum]

Hi

My specialist nurse called me and told me not to take anymore. Shes emailed my rheumy and will call me back