What about A Prednisone Boost?

[stegello08]

Because I have only been diagnosed with Sjogrens a little over two years, I have no idea what the different medicines some of you are taken. Is Prednisone something that will give you energy? If so, I desperately need this. I am so tired all the time. I just quit college online because I could not work my full-time job and come home and do school work, plus be a mother and wife. The only systems I have had is fatigue dry mouth/eyes and swelling in my parotid gland.

Any advice anyone can give I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks,
Stephanie

[kim31072]

No unfortunately Stephanie Prednisone is not for energy...it is a nasty med that they use to suppress inflammation and immunes system.Its side effects can be mood swings,weight gain,diabetes,osteporosis,osteopenia,avascular necrosis(bone death),acne,receding hairline,adrenal glands suppression if on a dose of 7.5 mg per day or higher(which is why the med must be tapered off of and not abruptly discontinued),humpback(fat deposits)...I think that is most of them.

It is a harsh med that is often used when others fail...it is common in a dose pak for allergies,repiratory illnesses...but these are long term(what is being discussed)

Not a med to be trifled with...if you are having severe fatigue perhaps a discussion with your dr is best.There are meds like Provigil(I dont take)but they all come with side effects 

Be well...I hope I helped with the explanation

Kim

[stegello08]

Ooops I must have misread a couple posts...lol

Thanks for the advice!

Stephanie

[RitaB]

Thyroid - I have problems with one of the thyroid antibodies (I have Hashimoto's which can go hand in hand with other AI's, especially SJS) and right now mine is way out of whack.  I am on 175 for 6 days and then skip a day to keep my thyroid in check but obviously it isn't doing anything for the antibodies.  But my husband and daughter have Hashimotos' (hubby is hypothyroid and on meds but my daughter is not hypo yet but have bad symptoms and chronic hives from the antibodies so her dr has her on a low dose.  Both of them are forever tired and cold.  I had to ask specifically for the thyroid antibodies test and now since they did test out of the normal range, both of our drs keep a check on them.

So ask for that test if you are currently having hypothyroid symptoms but are testing within the normal range.

[Scottietottie]

Hi Rita 

have you ever been to a thyroid forum? There's a good one at About.com

One of the things that members there recommend is getting results of your blood tests. Very often, although docs say blood tests are in range, they are at the top end of the range and that can make people feel pretty ill.

My TSH is meant to be kept between 0.5 and 2. That's what my endocrinologist has told my GP. My GP was OK with it being at 6 because he said my T4 was fine. I felt as bad with a TSH of 6 as I did with a TSH of 42. Keeping it between 0.5 and 2 works for me.
If your daughter is feeling tired and cold it could be that a slightly higher dose of thyroxine could make her feel better. check her blood test results and check out the thyroid forum.
I also have Hashimotos.

Take care - Scottie 

[eyeamdry]

This is my 4th day of the prednisone "boost' and I don't feel any different.  My thinking is that it wasn't the thing to help me right now.  My rheumy had told me I could do this when not feeling well.  I've only tried it this once, and know not to use pred when you don't have to.  I will be following up in a bit with my GP about my thyroid and I see my rheumy just before Christmas.  Lucy

P.S. Kim and Scottie have given a really good narrative of the perils of prednisone.  Thanks, I couldn't have done it.

[kim31072]

Good luck Lucy...I hope you start feeling better soon.

Take care

Kim

[Sjenny]

Hi Rita:

The T4 only thyroid meds like Synthroid don't work for everybody, no matter how high the dosage.  Check out www.stopthethyroidmadness.com for a different perspective.

All the best,
Sue

[RitaB]

Thanks, I will check it out.

[gurs]

Prednisone doesnt seem to do much for me either, except dry me out even more. Ijust had
100mg before my IVIG infusion, and it didnt help me with any of my sjogrens/lupus symptoms in the least. Alls it did was increase my anxiety, and I couldnt sleep for a few days. Maybe you need to up your dose a bit..maybe to like 20mg? your still on a pretty low dose..

Gursie