1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

The pros and cons of Prednisone

Posted by jlo2252 @jlo2252, Jun 10 3:26am

Hello. My name is Jean and I’m new to this group. I feel like I have a unique perspective regarding the “evil” steroid drug prednisone…. I have been reading your comments for a few months now but just recently commented on this forum.
I had very severe asthma as a child and would of died without steroid injections and oral prednisone. So would of both of my children, who genetically got their asthma from me.
In my early 20’s I was diagnosed with Reiter’s Syndrome, today known as Reactive Arthritis. The only medicines they had in those days were a anti inflammatory called Indocin, Aspirin and Predisone—that was it! The pain was unbearable and I was hospitalized and diagnosed and treated by my PCP and a Rheumatologist. I had the arthritis symptoms for a year, then by a miracle, went into remission for 20 years! After that time it comes and goes infrequently. I have had PMR off and on for about 2 years. This has been my lifesaving journey taking prednisone for pain and being able to breathe!!
Ok, now all this has, of course, had its toll on my body. I’m 74 years old and I have Osteoporosis. I’m taking a yearly infusion of Reclast for this (can’t take the oral medication) and taking calcium/magnesium supplements.
I have the thin, crepy skin on my forearms and hands. No real cure for that—just use a good moisturizer.
I’m also a diabetic, but this is more to do with the genetics in my family —my mom, grandma, brother and sister all had/have it and they never took prednisone.
My rheumatologist wants me off predisone (I’m taking 7.5 mg.) and he concurrently wants me to be on Actemra. I getting over a mild bronchitis and then I can start that. My immune system is also not the greatest.
Anyway, despite all of my health issues, I’m grateful and in awe of the magic of predisone for my breathing and pain relief!
Thanks for listening!

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DadCue | @dadcue | Jun 13 2:44pm
In reply to @jlo2252 "Dadcue, I thought you sounded like you are in the medical field! Are you? I worked..." + (show)
@jlo2252

Dadcue, I thought you sounded like you are in the medical field! Are you? I worked in the medical field for 45 years! I’ve been retired for 6 years.
I worked first as a medical assistant in a doctors office for 5 years. Then got a job as a Phlebotomist / Laboratory assistant in a hospital laboratory for 12 years. We moved out of area so I got a job in a different hospital as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician( title change as I became licensed by the state of California) for another 8 years. It is amazing what you pick up and learn while working with patients and doctors in a hospital setting— I loved it! The next 20 years I finally got my dream job working for Kaiser Permanente in a clinic setting, as a Certified Phlebotomy Technician/Lab Assistant.

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I'm retired now but I worked as an RN for 35 years. My first degree was in Biometry -- the application of statistics to biological data. I had all the prerequisites for a nursing degree so I decided to get a BSN degree so I would always have a job. I was somewhat of an odd duck because I was analytical with a compassionate streak.

My interest was in medical research but I gravitated more toward patient care in neurology and neurosurgery. I assisted various doctors doing research in various areas of medicine but never rheumatology. My interest in rheumatology comes from being patient myself. I also had an affinity for any hospitalized patient on prednisone or other steroids. I could relate to them since I was also taking prednisone.

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jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Jun 14 5:31am
In reply to @tuckerp "thank you. We were married in Dec 1973. 3 beautiful daughter. 8 grandkids. We had just..." + (show)
@tuckerp

thank you. We were married in Dec 1973. 3 beautiful daughter. 8 grandkids. We had just bought an RV and were planning to see the country. I think there is so much to see without going overseas. All I can say is enjoy. There are no givens in life. Even healthy, as you know, isnt a picnic. I was lucky to be her caretaker. Her journey will end soon. I wish you the best.

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Thank you Tucker. My husband and I were married in November, 1972! We have a son and a daughter and a grandson who is 9 years old.
We did some traveling for a couple of years in the Rv. Then I fell and broke my kneecap and had to have surgery. My husband took good care of me. About 12 years ago my husband had spinal surgery for bone spurs, osteoarthritis and numerous back injuries over the years that caused pinched nerves and a lot of pain. The surgery did help with his pinched nerve pain. He has rods and pins in his spine and he still has some pain— there are no guarantees with that kind of surgery. I took care of him before I had PMR, thank god.
I still hope to do a little more traveling, god willing.
Your wife is blessed to have you as her caretaker.
Take care.

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1 reply
DadCue | @dadcue | Jun 14 6:27am
In reply to @jlo2252 "Thank you Tucker. My husband and I were married in November, 1972! We have a son..." + (show)
@jlo2252

Thank you Tucker. My husband and I were married in November, 1972! We have a son and a daughter and a grandson who is 9 years old.
We did some traveling for a couple of years in the Rv. Then I fell and broke my kneecap and had to have surgery. My husband took good care of me. About 12 years ago my husband had spinal surgery for bone spurs, osteoarthritis and numerous back injuries over the years that caused pinched nerves and a lot of pain. The surgery did help with his pinched nerve pain. He has rods and pins in his spine and he still has some pain— there are no guarantees with that kind of surgery. I took care of him before I had PMR, thank god.
I still hope to do a little more traveling, god willing.
Your wife is blessed to have you as her caretaker.
Take care.

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I know the brain tumor Tucker's wife has. If you could pick the brain tumor you have there are some that are better than others. The tumor Tucker's wife has is the one you would NEVER pick. In her case the pros of Prednisone would outweigh the cons. Another steroid called decadron was frequently used. It is about 6 times more potent than Prednisone.
https://www.rxlist.com/decadron-drug.htm#indications
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I think Tucker deserves our respect and admiration for being his wife's primary caregiver.

REPLY
Marilyn McFarland | @1942marilyne | Jun 14 10:13am
In reply to @dadcue "I'm retired now but I worked as an RN for 35 years. My first degree was..." + (show)
@dadcue

I'm retired now but I worked as an RN for 35 years. My first degree was in Biometry -- the application of statistics to biological data. I had all the prerequisites for a nursing degree so I decided to get a BSN degree so I would always have a job. I was somewhat of an odd duck because I was analytical with a compassionate streak.

My interest was in medical research but I gravitated more toward patient care in neurology and neurosurgery. I assisted various doctors doing research in various areas of medicine but never rheumatology. My interest in rheumatology comes from being patient myself. I also had an affinity for any hospitalized patient on prednisone or other steroids. I could relate to them since I was also taking prednisone.

Jump to this post

I am retired nurse. I am now on dexamethasone for pmr. And doing best after 3 1/2 years of prednisone

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