Prednisone effect or something else

[Spanky2019]

Gca and being on prednisone since April 2019 (80 mg tapering to 15mg now) so odd. Aches or pains I'd have in the past I'd ignore, live with it or go to Dr. But now any symptom I ever have I think it is pred or disease. This is my newest. Last week for a couple of days the palms of my hands itched. It's winter here now so ppl can easily get dry chapped hands. But yesterday the palms of both hands are chapped & many deep cracks, fingers are a little swollen too. No idea why and haven't done anything different. Never had anything like it. Could it be related to prednisone or boniva side effects? Seems like silly thing to be at all concerned but this disease has me so confused. Just when I get a little handle on symptoms something else pops up. As always appreciate advice, suggestions, kindness.

[HeronNS]

I've found this cheerful (not) little article which may addres your question. Are you sure you havent't handled anything unusual, though?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/217...

[Spanky2019 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you HeronNS. Had 1st i.v. Boniva i.v. Sept 3rd, next is due Dec 4th. Had severe leg& ba k weakness but back pain started after Boniva. Well... I read the article - hope my "prick test" isn't positive. 😏 Have rheumatologist appt this coming week. Can't think of anything I've done differently other than the cold weather has hit hard here. The cracks are deep in palms. I'll keep my hands clean & use some hand cream & see what happens. OMG, what next🤔

[HeronNS in reply to Spanky2019]

Hope it gets better soon. If it's an allergy I suppose the pred is actually helping?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Heron's suggestion certainly needs to be considered.

[Spanky2019 in reply to PMRpro]

I will PMRpro. Messaged Dr office. Thank you!

[Deb61]

Hi Spanky 2019,

You don't say where you live or how long you have been tapering. However I can only share my own experience with prednisone. I had GCA and was on prednisone for four years and my taper was extremely slow as my body really reacted to the tapering. My hair was dry and lifeless my skin was beyond dry and I had lots of aches and pains during my taper. Prednisone changes so many things in our bodies. I have allergies etc and find I get dry anyway during cold weather but when I was on prednisone I really struggled with more excema ,dry hair ,eyes etc. I am now in remission and have not had any prednisone since Jan1. My hair is now acting the way it used and my skin is not so dry. So I would try the easiest things first. There is lotion for atopic skin and it is a little expensive but it works well. Give it a shot as it is nothing too dramatic. Put it on and night and wear gloves to be. I had this problem really bad with my heals and I still need to use emollient cream very often and socks. I hope your hands get better.