Prednisone side effects

[Sharon]

Second week on 20mg trial of Prednisone
and besides not experiencing much relief from the horrific joint pains,
I have the following side effects:

-Strong stomach pains (even though I take it with food)
-Increased dry mouth
-Increased dry eyes

Why would the Prednisone make the sicca symptoms worse rather than better? 

[GgcJap]

From what I've read dry mouth isn't one of the more common side effects. If I remember correctly it was in the incidence unknown column along with stomach issues like cramp and pains.

Unfortunately I can't help with the why, but am interested to find out myself so I'll be following.

GgcJap

[Pete0211]

I've not dealt with anything other than 5 day and 7 day treatments of prednisone. With those, and with IV/IM decadron, I did notice an increase in severity of dry eyes, but my dry mouth would get better, or at least not worse.

[Wal]

That's strange since I just took a round of prednisone drops for my eyes. It did help them.

[Sharon]

It does say in the medication's pamphlet that it may cause dry mouth as a side effect
but nothing on dry eyes and I'd expect it to improve those very symptoms if it's supposed to
calm down the immune system attack.
Strangely it doesn't really seem to be helping at all at this point as my joint pains are still raging on.

[Nomad]

I too am on 20 mgs. of prednisone!
I have gained a fair amount of weight, but am now on a strict diet and losing.
The other day, I felt "cushiony"
Hard to explain.
Like I had a layer of cotton all over my body.
I think it was water retention.
I am finding I have to eat sooooo carefully.
I do not believe I have been more thirsty though, but my stomach is much quicker to get upset.
Hang in there.

[Sharon]

How long have you been taking the 20mg Nomad?
Any notable improvements from it?
I haven't even been able to gain any weight on it...nothing!
My rheumy said that if after 2 weeks I see no improvements I'm to stop,
so I may not be on it much longer. No use to continue if it doesn't help me.

[Nomad]

I'm taking prednisone for low platelets. It's not helping.
It is helping all my aches and pains
It is causing weight gain
I've been on it two months
I start a teeny slow taper today ...19 mgs

[Sharon]

Nomad- How long did it take to help you with your pains?

[Nomad]

Sharon, I feel so bad for you. Two days after starting it, my hip pain and carpel tunnel pain were 40-50 percent better. About 10-14 days later my hip pain was gone. Shortly after that my hand pain was about 90% better and has stayed at that level. I'm nervous about reducing since I suppose those pains might come back. It helped my blood platelet level very briefly and not nearly enough.

[Sharon]

Thanks Nomad, we all respond differently I guess.
Still have a few days till the 2 week mark so who knows...maybe something will yet change.
I do know that many sustain improvements for awhile after tapering,
so hopefully coming off the Prednisone won't be too bad for you.

[SjoGirl]

So sorry to hear about the side effects Sharon. I just did a round of Medrol last month (I don't tolerate prednisone well). It helped some and I think my mouth was more moist rather than drier.

We all respond differently to drugs. Have you informed the doc who prescribed the drug about the stomach pains? I would be most concerned about that symptom.

[Sharon]

Thanks SjoGirl, what side effects did you have when you took Prednisone?
I wouldn't mind the side effects as much if it actually helped with the pain which is now my most debilitating symptom.
I can't get a hold of my rheumy without an appointment. I'll inform him my upcoming appointment.
I really just want him to prescribe a biological drug but it isn't happening.

[Jasper]

Prednisone is known to be very hard on the stomach and gastric tissue. It can cause gastric irritation, ulcerations, ulcers, and bleeding. If you cannot get a hold of your Rheumatologist, maybe you should see or get a hold of your PCP so he/she can order something for your stomach.

When I was on high dose Prednisone for systemic vasculitis, I was on Cytotec from the very beginning as a prophylactic against the gastric irritation. It worked. I never had any problems. My mother, on the other hand, was on Prednisone and no med to prevent gastric irritation and she developed a bleeding ulcer.

When I worked in the hospital, anyone who was placed on Prednisone (or any type of steroids) was placed on some form of gastric protective drug.

Your PCP can order something for you if you just tell him/her that you are on steroids and are having gastric pain.

[Jasper]

Sharon, I don't know where you live. Depending on where you live, maybe you could get into a study trial.

If you go to this site:   http://www.whatyousjo.com/

Luke has listed some studies that are starting or in progress. look at the right bottom part of the page and you will see a list with some links. There is a Rituximab/Belimumab study that is taking participants. Maybe you could get into that study. Click on it and it will take you to a site that gives you all of the details.