What's the Streriod limit.

[mattcass]

I am on 40mgs Prednisalone daily just to combat the Inflamation and at the same time control the Lung Fibrosis mind you i only need 20mgs daily for this,I was on 10,20,30, and now 40mgs daily and still not slowing down the flare ups not as painful because of the level of p/killers i am on ( I not saying they are strong but i swore i saw the Sun ) It was when i was diagnosed with RA the Consultant he wanted to me to cut the Prednisalone from 30mgs to 10mgs over 5 days the chest Gp said he wil decide this, What i need to know is there a reason the RA Consultant did not want me on these Steriods considering i was on them for 4 years when first Lung problem occurred,I have never been over 40mgs but if i went back to my GP i am sure he would have no hesitation increasing this, Matt

[little_em18]

Steroids can have lots of long term side effects, these are things that you wont see now but will do in a few years time. I'm experiencing the long term side effects of them now, Ive been on and off them for 17 yrs and Im only 20yrs old! Instead of taking the tablets your consultant might suggest having an infusion of steroids? Thats what happened to me. The steroids go straight into your system then and theres less side effects. It's probably a bit of a balacning act trying to find the right dose for you because of your Lung Fibrosis, theres probably lots of things that need to be considered on both sides and because you have to seemore than one doctor about different things, this can make it more frustrating. I hope it gets solved for you!

[oldtimer]

Basically the doctors are always looking for ways to reduce the steroids because of the long term side effects.

So disease modifying anti-arthritis drugs (DMARDs) are used in RA so that the steroid level can be reduced. However, in some conditions like Giant Cell Arteritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosis, and, as you know, Lung Fibrosis, the only thing that controls the inflammation (so far discovered, that is, as far as I know) is the steroid.

So it's always a balancing act between control and side effects.