General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

They (academics and professors) say the onset of action of steroi_s is not quick. Earliest is 3 hours, can also be a day or 3. But if given for correct reasons, the antiinflammatory effect is dramatic as @drron said

We also think there is a place for short term steroi_s in post op total knee replacement pain management without a significant increase in infection risk

Interesting but not my experience at all.

I'm not ashamed to say I use prednisolone like a sledge hammer. If Im in extreme pain and discomfort I find one dose is usually enough. Rarely a second dose.

But for me it does not take 3 hours to kick in. For me it works rapidly otherwise I would not bother. There is not a time of day that I'm not in pain. I gave up worrying about pain but when I cannot get up from the floor or chair or cannot move I need some help.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hate it, horrible stuff.
....

However have kept the remaining box of tabs, JIC (just in case).

Oh, yes, as an opioid its almost last resort for me, but as you say, just in case ... and I'm a day or more away from a doctor ...

 

[Pushka]

So is it confirmed PR - dad had that and he couldn't even comb his hair and one day after steroi_s he was a new man.

Good luck

Yes. Confirmed this morning from inflammation in bloods. Dr just rang. Now on steroi_s for longer and slower tapering. Fortnightly blood test then monthly.

Post automatically merged: Jan 20, 2023

Interesting but not my experience at all.

I'm not ashamed to say I use prednisolone like a sledge hammer. If Im in extreme pain and discomfort I find one dose is usually enough. Rarely a second dose.

But for me it does not take 3 hours to kick in. For me it works rapidly otherwise I would not bother. There is not a time of day that I'm not in pain. I gave up worrying about pain but when I cannot get up from the floor or chair or cannot move I need some help.

Maybe that’s why it keeps recurring. That isn’t the way steroi_s are supposed to be used.

 

[JohnK]

Maybe that’s why it keeps recurring. That isn’t the way steroi_s are supposed to be used.

Prednisolone is not going to cure chronic inflammation. Nothing will. In fact it gets worse. steroi_s are the only thing that provide any relief.

Typing this right now it feels like someone has put a rope around my upper body just below the shoulder blades and keeps tightening the rope. Twist and turn trying to unlock the ribs without success.

 

[love_the_life]

Prednisolone is not going to cure chronic inflammation. Nothing will. In fact it gets worse. steroi_s are the only thing that provide any relief.

Typing this right now it feels like someone has put a rope around my upper body just below the shoulder blades and keeps tightening the rope. Twist and turn trying to unlock the ribs without success.

I am not sure I understand. Prednisolone is a steroi_ so wouldn't you want to take it regularly? Its effect is to block the release of inflammatory chemicals. Wouldn't it be better to take a course of Prednisolone to see how it goes, rather than as a one-off attempt to hit the spot fires?
I am not trying to minimise your symptoms but feel that as your case seems to be very complex it would be better to be under a medical professional rather than self dosing. Obviously though that is not the way you view things and I am not saying what you do is wrong. Just wonder if there is something to give a better outcome.
On a totally different tack but sort of related - have you investigated the NDIS?

 

[tgh]

have you investigated the NDIS…..

I have been reading the @JohnK storybook for a long time.
His presentation suggests chronic self indulgence and extremely poor self discipline.. along with an engaging persona and a highly functioning intellectual threshold ….(that manages to keep him alive).
There is no point telling him what to do.. he already knows...

 

[TheRealTMA]

have you investigated the NDIS…..

I have been reading the @JohnK storybook for a long time.
His presentation suggests chronic self indulgence and extremely poor self discipline.. along with an engaging persona and a highly functioning intellectual threshold ….(that manages to keep him alive).
There is no point telling him what to do.. he already knows...

Why do people keep supporting the self indulgence? I don’t read posts by the OP anymore after being banned from AFF a few times for frank comments. Why do others keep up the conversation? IMHO psychiatric assistance is needed.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'd rather be supportive and give constructive answers where I can in a setting where posts are invariably lacking in the complete picture. While some might think they can infer a particular conclusion from a history of posts, I'm not sure such conclusions are actually accurate nor helpful

 

[blackcat20]

This might take some of you back in time but any good infant teething remedies? My 4.5 month girl is going through it. We have done the baby panadol and gum gels but anything else that would help?
Also used a cold dummy ect..

I know I'm a week late, but a cold damp face washer to suck on. Gentle pressure on the gum with a clean finger can help too.

 

[JohnK]

I am not sure I understand. Prednisolone is a steroi_ so wouldn't you want to take it regularly? Its effect is to block the release of inflammatory chemicals. Wouldn't it be better to take a course of Prednisolone to see how it goes, rather than as a one-off attempt to hit the spot fires?
I am not trying to minimise your symptoms but feel that as your case seems to be very complex it would be better to be under a medical professional rather than self dosing. Obviously though that is not the way you view things and I am not saying what you do is wrong. Just wonder if there is something to give a better outcome.
On a totally different tack but sort of related - have you investigated the NDIS?

Firstly I'm scared of prolonged/continuous use.

Secondly quite a few rheumatologists have suggested to use prednisolone as a sledge hammer when needed rather than continued use. Mum (at the recommendation of rheumatologist) uses prednisolone. She may take 5mg 2-3 days in a row and it helps.

Thirdly I have tried quite a few different medicines at various times. Some mildly effective. Some totally ineffective. At the moment I have nothing that helps. If you're following this story rheumatologist said come back in March and waved me goodbye.

So what should I do? Suffer silently waiting for next appointment? I'm in extreme pain and discomfort. I'm not exaggerating when I say there's not a single part of the body that is not in constant pain. I don't ask nor do I expect sympathy. I think I understand what works for me as well if not better than any doctor.

Lastly I struggle to understand the character assassinations. If people don't like the content of the post then don't read it. No need to put people down.

 

[love_the_life]

Firstly I'm scared of prolonged/continuous use.

Secondly quite a few rheumatologists have suggested to use prednisolone as a sledge hammer when needed rather than continued use. Mum (at the recommendation of rheumatologist) uses prednisolone. She may take 5mg 2-3 days in a row and it helps.

Thirdly I have tried quite a few different medicines at various times. Some mildly effective. Some totally ineffective. At the moment I have nothing that helps. If you're following this story rheumatologist said come back in March and waved me goodbye.

So what should I do? Suffer silently waiting for next appointment? I'm in extreme pain and discomfort. I'm not exaggerating when I say there's not a single part of the body that is not in constant pain. I don't ask nor do I expect sympathy. I think I understand what works for me as well if not better than any doctor.

Lastly I struggle to understand the character assassinations. If people don't like the content of the post then don't read it. No need to put people down.

Of course no one can know your own body and symptoms like you do, but I just wondered if a longer course of steroi_s would be more beneficial. It sounds like you have consulted a number of doctors with varying degrees of success.
As your conditions seem to be chronic and debilitating I also wondered if you could get support through NDIS though possibly these might be considered medical and so a health system thing. I am not sure where the distinction comes.
I am sorry that my post led to another which I think you are referring to. I did not intend that at all and was trying to give some suggestions.

 

[JohnK]

Of course no one can know your own body and symptoms like you do, but I just wondered if a longer course of steroi_s would be more beneficial. It sounds like you have consulted a number of doctors with varying degrees of success.
As your conditions seem to be chronic and debilitating I also wondered if you could get support through NDIS though possibly these might be considered medical and so a health system thing. I am not sure where the distinction comes.
I am sorry that my post led to another which I think you are referring to. I did not intend that at all and was trying to give some suggestions.

I appreciate all advice given and love to read experiences of others including suggestions.

We've tried longer course of steroi_s in the past. The inflammation stops but then returns. The biggest problem is the cause of the different types of inflammation and severity of pain. The lower back pain is not the same as the osteoarthritis in the hips or the gout in feet or the swelling in the legs or the swelling in the hands/wrists/arms. Oh and don't forget the nerve pain.

There's been mention of pain management clinics. I know it sounds stubborn but I don't want to end up on pain killers daily. I have feeling cortisone injection straight into the joints maybe more effective but that comes with risks too. Hip/knee replacements are also a possibility but in my mind that's only to be done as a last resort and knowing my luck best not go there.

 

[Pushka]

I appreciate all advice given and love to read experiences of others including suggestions.

We've tried longer course of steroi_s in the past. The inflammation stops but then returns. The biggest problem is the cause of the different types of inflammation and severity of pain. The lower back pain is not the same as the osteoarthritis in the hips or the gout in feet or the swelling in the legs or the swelling in the hands/wrists/arms. Oh and don't forget the nerve pain.

There's been mention of pain management clinics. I know it sounds stubborn but I don't want to end up on pain killers daily. I have feeling cortisone injection straight into the joints maybe more effective but that comes with risks too. Hip/knee replacements are also a possibility but in my mind that's only to be done as a last resort and knowing my luck best not go there.

I'm thinking you have multiple health issues many of which steroi_s won't assist. But that shouldn't mean you ditch it for those it can help. Having had to do a speed read of steroi_s now, I understand them a little more. I'm not happy about gaining weight. I'm not happy taking another lot of tablets to manage all my auto immune stuff. They won't fix the osteo pain in my toe. But they will help me walk again, and If that means a maintenance dose forever then I'll do it. If the dosage doesn't settle when it gets dropped down then it's raised again. It's not a perfect science and everyone is different. Please do listen to what drron says. Shame he no longer practices. I'd fly up to see him in your case. And I thank god my rheumatologist is based in Adelaide. Her books are closed now.

Thankyou to @drron for his calls this week. They were spot on. Helped me do some research before the rheumatologist called me. It surprised me another autoimmune issue cropped up while on Plaquenil though. Would have thought that would have dampened my immune system enough but no. Needless to see I've gone from annual visits and blood tests to monthly tests and an emergency booking with her in about a month at her request.

 

[cove]

The one and only time I took prednisolone for four days and then stopped cold i had incredible withdrawal symptoms. Will never race to go down that path ever again. Had to go and get smaller doses to stop the withdrawal issues. It was prescribed to fix a chest infection and the specialist went overseas just after I started the big four day dose.

 

[Pushka]

The one and only time I took prednisolone for four days and then stopped cold i had incredible withdrawal symptoms. Will never race to go down that path ever again. Had to go and get smaller doses to stop the withdrawal issues. It was prescribed to fix a chest infection and the specialist went overseas just after I started the big four day dose.

As you found out, It shouldn't be stopped cold but tapered off. I start at 15 mg (mcg) for four weeks, then 12.5 for four weeks, then 10 for four weeks then 2 likely for months. What were your withdrawal symptoms? You are pretty tough given everything so must have been rugged,

 

[cove]

Well @Pushka I felt I was going crazy with weird thoughts. Granny heard and told me to get the drug to taper it off.
Some may think I was already crazy but two days without the tapering off drug was really wild. I couldn’t go anywhere.
It was a big dose from what I remember.

 

[andye]

The "need" to taper depends on the length of the course though individual experiences may vary.
Pretty standard not to taper for courses of 5 days or fewer.
However if you are on a prolonged course, weaning is vital (as well as considering a temporary increase if become unwell with infections etc).
PMR can be very satisfying to diagnose and treat initially but the long course of treatment means that common to get some side-effects. I find about half of people travel the course quite smoothly though.

 

[Quickstatus]

Some may think I was already crazy but two days without the tapering off drug was really wild

I wonder if you had some type of steroi_ induced delirium /which in some cases can cause severe psychosis and may not stop quickly with drug cessation
It may be that in your case it started around the time you stopped the steroi_s. Or did it only start after 2 days without steroi_s.

My experience with severe steroi_ psychosis was a bloke who was put on it while in RPAH. He was found on the roof of Gloucester House (one of the hospital buildings) having an argument and shouting with an imaginary foe. . I was on the arrest team back which is why they paged us. They wanted us to drug him, but there is no such thing as a 10foot long needle. Took a while to get him down but in the end he came down

 

[prozac]

I wonder if you had some type of steroi_ induced delirium /which in some cases can cause severe psychosis and may not stop quickly with drug cessation
It may be that in your case it started around the time you stopped the steroi_s. Or did it only start after 2 days without steroi_s.

My experience with severe steroi_ psychosis was a bloke who was put on it while in RPAH. He was found on the roof of Gloucester House (one of the hospital buildings) having an argument and shouting with an imaginary foe. . I was on the arrest team back which is why they paged us. They wanted us to drug him, but there is no such thing as a 10foot long needle. Took a while to get him down but in the end he came down

What, no electrical conduit to blow a needle through?

 

[ellen10]

I had atopic eczema, from head to toe. Awful weeping, red cracked skin for 10 years or more. Saw so many doctors, tried so many medications and treatment, was hospitalised several times, it was hell on earth. Prednisone saved my sanity and my life. Yes I read about all the long term effects, but realistically I probably would not be here without it.

Now I only have to use it very rarely and mainly manage my rare skin outbursts with creams and ointment, I am so grateful for this outcome.