Flare and steroids. : I was diagnosed very quickly with... - NRAS

NRAS

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Flare and steroids.

Diary profile image
4 Replies

I was diagnosed very quickly with seropositive RA a couple of years ago and have done pretty well on hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine. No flares since then.

Two months while on holiday I got pneumonia and was quite ill but recovered after some time in hospital and IV antibiotics. My Rheumatolgy meds weren’t stopped. I am 54 and also have heart disease and heart failure if it’s relevant.

A month ago I started feeling really awful, stiff and so fatigued. I phoned the Rheumatolgy helpline nurse who saw me in person 2 days later. She then said I had to see the consultant, who I saw 10 days after that.

He gave me 120 mg of depomedrone steroid injection and a further 8 weeks of oral prednisone. He upped my Sulfasalazine to 6 a day from 4 a day too.

My question is:

Is it common to feel so well after these steroids? I feel like a new person! Almost pain free, far less fatigued. Will this feeling last when I come off this course? I am already feeling anxious about coming off the steroids and going back to the way I was.

Thanks.

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Diary
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4 Replies
helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

Yes!

They can turn you into superwoman and it’s important not to overdo it whilst under the influence.... bit they can also completely squash a flare into extinction so as they wear off you will go back to were you were pre-flare.

Hopefully the increased dose of sulpha will help to, so you may even be better than you were pre-flare. Here’s hoping.

Diary profile image
Diary

Thank you all so much. I feel a bit less anxious now about stopping.

suemh2 profile image
suemh2

Hi. Yes feeling so much better isn't unusual. Do.keep pacing yourself though. My Rheumatologist said steroids do boost how we feel but to remember we still have RA, Lupus or whatever it is the steroids are being used to treat. Once you come off a regular dose it can be possible to have occasional injections to ease future flares Glad your treatment is helping. X

medway-lady profile image
medway-lady

Steriod do make you feel good but its a false good. Beware of feeling better than you are; and you'll get advice about stopping them if your on a high dose. Its not that difficult just takes time.

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