Prednisone side effect?

[ErinG]

I'm not sure if this could be a side effect of prednisone or if I'm just not sleeping in a good position.  Sometimes when I wake up (but not every day) my neck, shoulders, and upper back hurt to the touch.  It feels like my skin is bruised.  I first noticed this a few weeks ago when I was on vacation, but I attributed it to not sleeping for 2 days, the flight, etc.  I've been on 60mg of pred for 4 weeks and starting tomorrow I'm stepping down to 40mg.  Today I'm especially sore, even parts of my lower back are sensitive.

Has anyone else experienced this?  I forgot to mention it to the nephrologist when I saw him yesterday.  I have a rheumy appointment next week so I'll make a point to bring it up with her, just to be safe.

-Erin

[Victoria05202000]

Erin, I have this often, but don't attribute this to prednisone.  I would bring it up at your next appointment. How did the nephro appointment go?

Vicky

[ErinG]

It went well!  Not all my labs were in yet when I got there, so he called this morning to say my kidney function had improved and it was ok to drop to 40mg of pred.  Now I'm curious to see all the numbers, my copy of the labwork probably came in the mail today.

[kim31072]

Yes higher doses of pred can cause skin sensitivity.I hope you do well with the pred drop  ..please remember that you will go thru a form of pred "withdrawal" for probably 3-7 days while you are tapering down.It feels like a mild form of the flu(aches,pains,feeling unwell,joint issues)and will continue while you drop.Usually when I am tapering about the time I work thru it its time to drop again  .

http://arthritis.about.com/od/prednisone/f/withdrawaltaper.htm
Just wanted to warn you if you hadnt ever done a taper from that high before that it is to be expected.

Take care...

[Redetha]

I feel like this alot.  I have fibromyalgia.  NO ONE touches my back.  Sounds like my symptoms.  Check with the doctor.   

[ErinG]

I am definitely starting the feel the withdrawal today.  It's actually about the same as how I felt before I started the pred...cold, tired, worn out.  It's manageable.  I don't seem to have the skin sensitivity anymore, though.  I will mention it to the rheumy when I see her on Thursday. 

Last night I think I had my first Cellcept bowel issue.  So far today my tummy is ok, so maybe it was just something I ate.  I'll wait and see how the rest of the day goes.

Thanks everyone!