Prednisone is a weird medication.
It's uses are many.
I know that it decreases symptoms of different conditions but does not treat the underlying problem.
so it makes you feel better....
so it is like a lie with potentially harmful side effects.
I was hesitant to take the 10mg prescribed for my shoulder, talked with the pharmacist because my pdoc did not respond to my call in a timely manner, reassured me that 10mg was not too high a dose jsut to take it in the morning, because it could interfer with my sleep.
WEll it has helped my arm to feel better so that is good but it is a lie, so I wonder if I should really be taking it? I am going to stop taking it because I don't want to mask my sypmtoms wehn I see this new Doctor on thursday.
Does this make sense or do I not understand prednisone?????
bizi

Well,

it reduces inflammation... which is a double-edged sword. Inflammation and pain can be protective responses to prevent you from doing things you would otherwise do, and causing more damage. On the other hand, sometimes an area can get so inflamed that before the underlying condition can be treated (for instance with PT) some reduction of inflammation and/or pain is warranted.

For diagnostic purposes it might not make too much difference. It won't change what's on your MRI. Now, for the physical exam, it depends how much the new doc takes into account the effects...

if it were me, i think would do what you said: stop taking it until you see the new doc, so she sees you with full symptoms.

Also, should the new doc then want you to take it after your visit, i would feel better if you spoke with your pdoc about it - any steroid taken systemically presents a risk for mania... sensitivity to it may differ across patients so even a low dose could possibly affect you.

(((HUGS))))

~ waves ~

Beth, whether you take it or not is for you to decide - all I'm going to say is that I have been on it for more than 11 years now (lupus) and 10mg is my maintenance dose. Often it is a few times more than that.
All drugs should anyway only be taken when absolutely necessery and as long as the benefits outweigh the side-effects. In your case the duration will hopefully not be for very long - so if the doctor feels you should take it and it makes you comfortable, then you shouldn't worry too much.

I wasn't trying to judge anyone...there are a lot of folks who have to take it....I hope I did not come off as judgemental....
I understand that it is a life saver for many.
a friend of mine is only 32 she has been taking it for years due to back pains and other health aliments. She has osteoporosis now and fractured both ankles when she fell and now has some mysterious staph infection in her elbow for no apparrent reason(no trauma nor injury), she is very immuno compromised and susceptable to infections just like what has happened to her elbow.
I am glad that you are able to be maintained on this low of a dose....
and I wish you all the best health that you can have.
I think that prednisone also works in mysterious ways like can cure things but they just don't understand why??????
bizi

Dear Beth,
Prednisone is a useful med and you were probably prescribed it for a limited period of time.
This is a small dose for most people -- if I remember.

If you go back on it, be very careful tracking your moods.

M.

Oh Bizi! Did I come off as being judgmental?
I wasn't AT ALL!
I was just meaning to tell you not to be apprehensive. Specially since you are not likely to be on it for a long time.
I was in a hurry as I had a doctor's appointment to go to but wanted to reassure you.
Now that I read my post again - I do sound grim. Oh Dear!
Sorry.

I was personally unhappy when I was started on Steroids, but just couldn't move without it, so caved in. Initially there was a lot of water retention, and weight gain, particularly as I was started on the ADs and mood stabilizers at the same time.
I managed to get rid of the water retention after I was prescribed diuretics.

Again, I am so sorry.

I also want to tell you that I don't offend easily, and even if I am bothered, I don't get aggressive. Too old and too tired to indulge in all that.

I am sorry too.
Taking meds is a neccesary ordeal and something that I wish I did not have to do.
I am glad that you were able to get the water weight off with fluid pills,
I know that meds can cause weight gain as well.
we want to be sane so we do what we have to do.
thank you for your nice post to me isis.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Like 59+ lbs in about 11 years.
to you too.

Oh man, please tell me presidone isn't considered a pain medicine.

Because I am on it for infection maybe. Because I still have problems
with my throat and one ear. But I didn't report or ask permission of
my pain doctor. Because I didn't realize it might be necessary.

Ugh I don't want to think I might be in trouble now.

Donna

Donna, you can not possibly be on it for infection. It is to control inflammation. It is an immuno-suppressent and will send your infection into high gear.
It will not control pain unless there is inflammation.
Please check with your doctor asap.