What exactly does Prednisone help?

[Jozee]

I hear a lot of people say they take Prednisone and that it helps so much. I'm wondering what it helps with exactly? My doctor mentioned maybe trying me on it but due to the weight gain issue he wants to hold off. I've gained way too much these past 2 years from not being able to get around as much.

[Joe S.]

This link may help: http://www.drugs.com/pro/prednisone.html

[Jozee]

Thanks Joe. I read that but I don't see anything to do with Sjogrens. Do you know what symptoms it's helped people with??
Something in language I can understand maybe??

[SueAnn]

Jozee,

Prednisone help with inflamation and fatigue.  I was started on 5mgs and continued for about 6 months, then tapered off along with Plaquenil.  I did not experience weight gain from that amount. 

When the pain and fatigue of a flare start, I take 10 mgs for 3-5 days then stop and it helps knock out the flare.   

SueAnn

[bloodless]

Prednisone feels like a miracle drug if your really suffering. Because it's a powerful anti-inflammatory and swelling is what causes most of the pain, you'll be amazed how well you can walk. You also all of sudden have energy. I absolutely loved it. Having said that, I really hated the weight gain. I piled in on fast. I've not been able to lose it either. If you can barely get up, you don't burn off much. Never been good at counting calories. I guess I need to learn.

[Kerrikins]

prednisone helps my joint pain and inflammation, as well as parotid pain, headaches, muscle aches and fatigue. Eye dryness too! When I'm on a higher dose medrol pack (methylprednisone) I feel like a new person. For me though it doesn't last long. By the time I'm tapering down the parotid problems and other issues are already back. However, it does seem to help the joint pain stay away for a while so it's worth it. I'm on a very low maintenance dose of prednisone and it probably helps day to day, but it doesn't do anything for me when I am flaring.

[irish]

Prednisone is called the miracle drug and it really can make a miracle in a person's life. It reduces the inflammation or inflammatory attack on the body in many ways. It can calm down the painful, enlarged joints, reduce swelling in the capillaries (commonly known as vasculitis--some diseases cause small vessel vasculitis and some cause large vessel vasculitis - large vessel involvement usually affects the larger organs and small vessel are apt to affect eyes, ears, etc.). This is just a very small example as everyone is different.

It improves energy levels, brain fog, (and some small vessel vasculitis of brain). Every single autoimmune disease is usually improved in one way or another by prednisone. I am on 20 mgm a day for 2 weeks and then taper down and my myasthenia has gotten better plus the very swollen, inflammed lymphoid tissues in my throat are less swollen now.

Be aware that take prednisone is not without some problems but usually if you are on a "burst and taper" you get the high dose and taper down fast and the side effects are much, much less. Also, a person can take up to 10 mgm every other day with generally much fewer side effects. I have been on this dose for 6 years and have to go up in dosage when my condition deteriorates. Prednisone is a mixed bag. No one wants to have to take it, but it really can make life more tolerable. Irish

[Woolygimp]

Prednisone showed me just how sick I was.  After taking it, I felt like a completely different person and for the first time since my illness began..."normal". 

I'm taking 20mg daily and I know I can't take that dose for very long, that's why I'm doing my very best to get into John Hopkins and maybe try one of the new treatments.

[really?]

Prednisone showed me just how sick I was.  After taking it, I felt like a completely different person and for the first time since my illness began..."normal". 

I'm taking 20mg daily and I know I can't take that dose for very long, that's why I'm doing my very best to get into John Hopkins and maybe try one of the new treatments.

Do you have a appt at JH,,?

[hollowoakfarm]

I'm on pred for something else, started at 40 mg/day.  Although it didn't help the something else at all, it has allieviated many of my Sjogrens symptoms.  My joint pain is almost gone.  I actually have some saliva, and have eaten pb&j sandwiches for the first time in two years...still takes three large glasses of milk to do it, but I can!  I have more fluid in my eyes, and have not had any corneal scratches at all.

Despite these benefits, the side effects I'm having do not make it worth it.  I'm currently on a taper and will come off it.  In the meantime, I'll enjoy what I can of the relief, until I'm back to being in pain and cardboard dry.

Meg

[Navigator]

Prednisone is a powerful drug. It is not the first line of treatment for SJS even for pain and fatique....docs typically start with plaquenil and see how it goes.   Plaquenil can allieviate the pain and fatique without the potential serious side effects of prednisone for many.

You should talk to your doctor.

I was on it only briefly and found it kept me up at night...I was thrilled when I got off it.

[Pegasus47]

Prednisone is a powerful immuno suppresant which also has major side effects.  The longer one stays on it, the higher doses one needs to relief flare ups.  One of the major problem is- Prednisone suppreses Adrenal Gland functions, causes osteoporosis, cataracts, diabetes, insomina etc.  Although cost wise, it is very reasonable. 

I am doing a taper and try to get off it. 

Pegasus

[BUNKIE09]

Pegasus,
I was wondering how the taper is coming? I am doing the same now down to 5.5 but having serious low blood sugar and low BP issues. That started with only .5mg lower. Can not even imagine what it will do at 5.

[Luna]

I just started predinsone for some back problems. You guys are not kidding. The stuff is awsome.. I cannot believe how much better I feel. I am only on it for 9 days. Im doing the burst and taper as someone called it. I am in such awe at how much better I feel already. I even have saliva!! I woke this morning with it and was excited. Saliva...
Just wanted to share with you guys.

Luna

[Meld256]

Luna,

Thank you for sharing your good news! Having some saliva is a real blessing, that's for sure.    And less pain...awesome.

So glad you are feeling better. Always good to hear about this.
Take care,
Melinda