prednisolone question

[lizzi]

          hi,

           my specialist wants to try me on a months course of prednisolone tablets,starting on 20mg then lowering by 5mg each wk,then if its helped me he will continue with this,ive had the prescription in my coupboard for a couple of wks as i darnt start them,i had a steroid injection a few months ago that didnt do anything except bring me out in acne.ive heard that prednisolone causes acne,insomnia,puffy face ect,im worried as im really overweight as it is so i dont want to take something that will cause my face to look like a moon shape,also the consultant was very patronising to me about my weight,he gave me this big lecture about my weight and that ive got to exercise for more than 40mins a day,but there is no way i can do this as im in so much pain everywhwere that i cant do any exercise but he said when he sees me again next i must have lost some weight,i felt awfull ,he was talking to me like i was a 4yr old,i know im  fat but i know of people who r slim who has sjorgrens syndrome so why was he making out that the reason i have ss was BECAUSE im fat ,anyway getting back to my question on prednisolone what is everyones advice?would u take it still or not bother with it,i would be so gratefull for advice on this

                 thanks in advance for any replies xx

[DragonflyC]

For me, a short course of a low dose of prednisone is the only way I can stop a flare.

For long term maintenance, though, I use plaquenil which has fewer side effects.  A lot of people here start prednisone and plaquenil at the same time, easing off the prednisone as the plaquenil kicks in. 

[inga]

I was on 16 weeks of IV methylprednisolone and did not get acne, or gain weight....I had a few other problems, but not the ones that are concerning you.

[lori]

I finally gave in and took 5mg daily while i wait forthe mthotrexate to kick in on the RA.

rhuemy says we'll wean off in a couple months.

i was so sick i couldnt function.... had to do something- i have things to do!!!!!!

hoping adn praying that when i wean off the MTX will have done its thing and i can be off of it. at 5 mg i have no Se like mood swings, eating everything or lack of sleep. its a very nice dose for me. yes, still somewhat stiff but its managable!!!!

that dr. of yours sounds awful for what he said... id be looking for a new dr.!!!!

God bless

lori

[Shani]

Hi Liz,

I have recently started my Pred also, day 11 today.
I'm on a dose of 10mg for atleast 2 months already.
I am experiencing the insomnia, moonieface, increased appetite, mood changes(not so fun!) and I think I'm holding fluid.But I don't really see it much or atleast not that badly.I always drink water, and try to not give in to the increased appetite.
I still don't see a difference and am in a lot of pain.Waiting for it to kick in.The side-effects aren't fun but they're not that bad.

Don't worry too much about the side-effects because they'll go away eventually and the weight should come off if you are able to do excercise when you feel better.And eating healthy also.