Steroids

[Falkers]

I have been of steroids now for three months and doing really well. Does anyone know how long it takes to get the steroids out of your system? I also have really itchy skin is this a side effect?

Wishing everyone a Healthier New Year

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The steroids themselves as a substance are out of the system within a very short time - the effects last rather longer.

It is felt it takes the adrenal control system can take up to a year to be back to normal - not the adrenal glands themselves but the hormonal system that governs what is called the hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal axis which needs a lot of fine tuning. That is why in an emergency you should tell any healthcare staff that you have been on longterm pred within the last couple of years and continue to carry the steroid card if you had one.

Pred has an effect on skin, hair and nails, some good some bad, and they take some months to return to more like normal. My nails are now softer than when I was on higher dose pred - now on 4mg. My hair is fully back to normal, it is no longer frizzy and is growing normally and the beard is long gone! My skin is also back to normal although I didn't suffer the thinning and delicate skin many people complain of.

If you have itchy skin then try moisturising it very thoroughly. Your doctor can prescribe Double Base or Diprobase (in the UK) which are used in eczema - use one form for showering, don't use soap or anything that foams whatever it tells you on the label about it being gentle and moisturising anything that foams removes oil from the skin and makes it dry! You should shower or bathe and apply the emollient creams to damp skin to keep the moisture in. Did you not have such problems while still on pred?

[Falkers in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your comments, I will try the emollient creams. Can these be bought from a Chemist as it is so difficult to get a GP appointment these days. I did suffer thin skin whilst on Pred, and the slightest bump produced a lot of bruising still does.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Falkers]

Yes I think so - just it is cheaper to get them on prescription if you are over 60, exempt for any other reason or have a season ticket! Ask the pharmacist what they have. The counter staff will probably try to offer you more expensive stuff with all sorts in - you want something as simple as possible, no perfume, no useless expensive additives.

[Angela123]

Hi Falkers. I am at 5mgs since August. I've had itchy sensitive skin on my face since May this year, but nowhere else. Tried antihistamines but although the itching stopped the redness remains. I was just wondering how long you took to get off Prednisolone? Well done and hope you continue to feel well. Angela.

[Falkers in reply to Angela123]

HI Angela. I was on steroids for over 2 years and got down to 5mg and seem to get stuck at 5. Then I tried PMRpro's slow reduction method and it worked for me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Angela123]

People on pred often develop rosacea - I had rosy farmer's wife cheeks and the t-shirt low neck area also went very red and rough. It is a good idea to use sunscreen anywhere it appears as sun makes it worse. It does go away - mine appeared with only one of the 3 sorts of pred I have taken but has gone entirely on the current version of pred although I am still taking 4mg.

Rosacea can be treated - worth asking your doctor, they might be helpful (wouldn't hold my breath though!).

[olive2709]

I developed drug induced exymia 14 years ago still have to be careful what I use found E45 range good and don't break the bank

[raymck]

Hi Falkers, I am still on antihistamine capsules after a year in Club Zero. Still have dry skin and use daktacreme to hide the itch. Stiffness in joints remains obvious but all this I just accept as the price paid to retain sight in remaining eye! Not very helpful sorry but it sometimes helps to be aware of other folks experiences so this is my only reason to comment. Hope you get on better sans Steroids but certainly no worse. raymck

[patdencass]

I've been on steroids now for 15 months - down to 7.5mg from 50. Got my eyes focused on getting tp 5mg but it's a slow process. I had very itchy legs earlier on but not much now. Good luck & a happy & healthy new year to you too Pat x

[patdencass]

Sorry I misread your message Falkers. Thought you said on & not off So pleased all going well. It's good to hear other experiences. My hair has gone from poker straight to very curly & is now like cotton wool. Would appreciate help on best way to treat this. Thanks Pat

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to patdencass]

Experiment with shampoos - the difference can be quite dramatic. I was given a couple of kerastase testers which were great but this week I got an old bottle of the Aussie moisture one out - brilliant! I also wash my hair as little as possible - never more than once a week. I do live in an area with very clean air and not a lot of wind and damp though!

[patdencass in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that. It's been very damp & windy here lately. Will keep testing shampoos. Happy new year

[ritter]

Hi I had the same problem I used the German engineering its fabulous even bought some for my son and he had suffered with his scalp all his live but the German shampoo seems to work wonders good luck Anne.

[csy50]

Patdencass - My hair also gone curly from just wavy and very "flyaway" - desperate in damp weather especially! I have found pure argan oil brilliant for keeping it moisturised and under control. I also use conditioner that you can leave in and that helps too. I seem to lose an awful lot of hair each time I wash it - I'm amazed I have any left!

Falkers - I have very itchy skin - body and limbs. It has become worse recently since I came down to 5mg pred (after 8 - 9 years on varying doses). I wondered if it was hormone related as I also had it when I was pregnant many years ago and now at 5mg I am asking my adrenals to get their act together.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to csy50]

To some extent the higher doses of pred will calm down any itching due to dry skin or eczema so it may only appear as you go down the dose. I have an allergy to something in wheat (not gluten) which causes an eczema - at 15mg I could eat wheat without itching, now I'm down to 4mg I have to read the labels again!

[csy50]

Yes Eileen - I did wonder about that as I don't tolerate wheat well normally but it has been better in recent years. I am still happy at being down to 5mg at long last and can put up with the itching. A small price to pay I feel! I am being very patient and sticking at 5mg for 3 months (as my rheumy and many others have recommended) before resuming the slow reductions again. Hopes are high for 2015! Glad to hear you have got down to 4mg also - Chris Y

[patdencass]

Thanks csy50 - all advice welcome x