Steroids

Hi everyone doctor phoned this afternoon got word from rheumatologist to start me on steroid and up my sulfasalazine to 6 a day as my inflammation not coming down don't know how I feel about it am worried about the inflammation not coming down

[Lolabridge]

The steroids should help you to feel better within a day or two and reduce the inflammation until the higher dose of Sulfasalazine gets to work. Try not to worry as that won’t help. Hope you get some relief soon. 🤞🏻

[Hidden in reply to Lolabridge]

Thank you Lolabridge I know it's for my own good am really just trying to get my head round all this I was someone who hardly took a paracetamol and now am rattling x

[Lolabridge in reply to Hidden]

Yes me too. You’ll soon get used to it. Needs must I’m afraid! Hopefully if the Sulfasalazine works well for you, you will be able to taper off the steroids.

[Hidden in reply to Lolabridge]

Thanks 🤞🤞

[Gnarli in reply to Hidden]

You're not alone. A lot, if not most of us, were fit and busy people before RD and not given to pill popping. Just think of the alternative and be grateful we have the meds that will help us.

[Hidden in reply to Gnarli]

Definitely find the amount of pills scary in the fact I hardly took anything before but I want to feel better and protect the joints and lower the pain so needs must.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Deeb2908 your right needs must I will just have to get on with it

[Hidden in reply to Gnarli]

Thanks Gnarl I know what you mean it could be a lot worse

[Gnarli in reply to Hidden]

True.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Lolabridge]

Agree and the steroids will work .. they always do!

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks Neonkittie I think that's what I was worried about incase they didn't work

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Hidden]

I don’t know of anyone they didn’t work for! Fairly quick too to take effect. I hope you get the relief you need from them. x

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks Neonkitti17

[allanah in reply to Hidden]

They do work! Everytime for me xx

[allanah]

Fab, the treatment should definitely help get that darned inflammation down. You have good doctors!

[Hidden in reply to allanah]

Thanks allanah yes I have a very good doctor really appreciate him

[Mmrr]

The steroids will work quickly, give you some relief, along with upping sulphasalazine hopefully things will settle for you soon. Do let us know how you get on?

[Hidden in reply to Mmrr]

Thanks Mmrr will do I really appreciate everyone's help I am really grateful for all your replies

[Boxerlady]

I'm with you on the multiple meds but I've never hesitated as the alternative is so much worse! I'm currently on 8 tablets a day and a weekly injection but happily have been able to stop the pain relief (was on ibuprofen and paracetamol 3x a day) so it's obviously working - yay! 🎉

[Hidden in reply to Boxerlady]

Thanks Boxerlady that's great news

[Niao]

Hopefully this will sort things out, and quickly! I was completely amazed by the remarkable results when I first started the steroids, literally within 4 hours of taking I could get up and stand up after more than 2 years of not being able to! Really hope upping the dose if sulfasalazine works too. Xxx

[Hidden in reply to Niao]

Thanks Niao looking forward to getting started tomorrow

[Lolabridge]

Many of us have found it best to take the steroids in the morning so that if you get the Duracell bunny effect (and many of us do) it has worn off by bedtime!

[Hidden in reply to Lolabridge]

Thanks Lolabridge 😂

[sunnyweek]

Steroids have been a godsend for me several times when I've needed them. And you should be able to taper off when the extra sulphasalazine kicks in. Steroids are often given as a go between changing and/or upping drugs. I do hope they help and your inflammation soon comes down. Good luck tomorrow xx

[Hidden in reply to sunnyweek]

Thank you sunnyweek for your kind words

[Lizard28]

I remember getting a call from my GP a few years ago now when I was at work to come down and get steroids immediately, I was like like you, never took any medication, I sat with my eight little steroids on my desk, it was really tough trying to take them, my colleagues pushed me a bit to take them, it’s advisable to take them in morning, I was all over the place at first, I had so much energy lol, my colleagues were glad when they settled down in my system. As much as I hated being on them, they really did work and hopefully will only be short term. Best wishes x

[Hidden in reply to Lizard28]

Thanks very much for lovely reply Lizard28

[nomoreheels]

You're worried about inflammation, as are we all. The quick way is by taking steroids, that doesn’t mean you'll be on them long term, just long enough to bring down that inflammation & they should very quickly. A short course is often all that's needed, usually 3 weeks or less.

You've only just started treatment & by increasing your SSZ that gives a boost too. Remember though that whilst you might see some improvement before it can take around 12 weeks for any DMARD to be fully effective, if it's going to be. If it turns out not to be the case they may add another DMARD (double therapy), or change it altogether, just so you're aware. We each respond differently, there's no one tablet that suits all, would that there were.

I know it's a big learning curve, especially when you've only needed the odd paracetamol before, but we need these meds to control the disease. You'll soon get into a rhythm with it all. I never thought I’d take all the ones I need to morning & evening but to keep me upright & walking they're necessary. Hang on in there, things will improve, just give it a little time.

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks nomoreheels it's just a lot to take in at the moment I honestly never thought rheumatoid arthritis was like this I thought you just got painkillers and that was that soon learning though