I started taking an aggressive dose of steroids last night for a Crohn's flare which was accompanied by sever joint pain. The abdominal discomfort and joint pain drastically subsided almost instantly.
There were certain side effects I had forgotten about. Or, rather, I did not put two-and-two together as it having to do with the Prednisone.
I was expecting reactions such as restlessness, night sweats, and increase in appetite. I was also expecting problems when I start tapering off the medication, such as the increase in joint pain.
I was NOT expecting all-over muscle aches and neck pain. I was having a hard time getting comfortable last night with my head on my pillow. Thinking back, I had the same problem last year and went so far as to cut off my hair to ease some of the weight on my neck. That happened while I was weaning off the steroids, and I would be in the bath every night not just for joint pain, but muscle aches as well. Later in the summer I attributed the neck pain to a possible cat allergy - which I do have, but started before I was around the cats now that I really think about it.
I spoke with my doctor at our appointment yesterday about pain management, and he mentioned that I could take Motrin every once in a while for the pain. I have been told not to take NSAIDS with the Crohn's Disease, but we discussed that as well and the reasons to avoid it. I do not take pain killers unless it is absolutely necessary, and there's little risk that I would take enough to do any damage which may mimick or exacerbate the Crohn's Disease. Tonight I took an Ibuprofen for the neck pain, which surprisingly helped, and then went to my Mom's to take a bath for the muscle aches. I was feeling better for a while, but it was getting chilly outside and I'm hurting again just from being tense. I hate not being able to keep my legs still and comfortable.
But you know what? I usually gain a little weight on Prednisone. A lot of my problems with pain I know is worsened by how thin I am. I am excited to see if it makes any difference in getting comfortable when I sit or lay down.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I know many of us fight the same sort of battles, even if the symptoms and names of the diseases are different. It is comforting having a place to come and write, knowing there are those of you who actually understand and live the same things.
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Comments: 21
Sorry to hear about all the continued troubles!
And isn't Gather awesome sometimes? When you know that there are people out there battling disorders too. It makes you feel less alone.
Gather has been a life-saver, Aunt Shanny. I know it sounds silly to some, but I have kept my sanity BECAUSE I have a place like Gather to unload, especially as it pertains to my healthy. I know I am a burden on my family and most of them do not understand. They get sick and tired of hearing how sick and tired I am. I don't blame them. I think I would too. I'm sick and tired of having my life revolve around my health when I get like this. But, if I just ride it out there are always the 'good times' that come after the 'hard times'. :)
I meant, "my health" - not "healthy". ;) wish I could fix the typos without having to delete the whole comment.
As you know I suffer some of the same problems. Last year I went on a regimen of Prednisone adn suffered many side effects. The worst of which was the blossoming of a cataract, my face ballooned and I had troble sleeping. But, in the end i went into remission and I have had one good year.In the end it was worth it.
Hang in there.
I have not had my eyes really checked in a few years. Do you think I should check for cataracts and glaucoma now? This is only my 3rd round of steroids in 4 years . . .
AND BRING ON THE BALLOON FACE!! I have my drivers license from when I was discharged from the Navy after my first round of steroids, and my face was all puffed up. I LOVE looking at that picture! My face is skinny right now, I hate looking in the mirror straight on and seeing the skeleton under the skin. :)
I'm glad you're in remission and hope it continues! What management medicine do you take?
Don't worry about the eyes. I had the beginning of a cataract and it just moved it along faster.
I take Balsalazide 750 mg three capsules, three times a day and Mercaptopurine (6-mp) 500 mg-tab, one and a half a day. It is the Merc. that does the job, the first is just an anti-inflamitory.
Well if a puffy face makes you happy, go for it.
I am so sorry you are going through all this. My daughter has asthma and I had her on Prednisone several times. I hated putting her on it with all the side effects.
I was given the shoice to take steroidal drugs for my spinal stenosis and also for my fibromyalgia, but I refused. I am dealing with my pain mentally and staying physically fit and without the aid ofanything stronger than acetaminephine. I also am on NSAIDS so can't to ibuprophen or aspirin. I find heat the best thing for my leg pain.
I hope you get some relief soon.
I agree with the heat being the best thing. I find hot (not so much 'warm') baths work very well for me, much more so than any heat pads could.
Nala (my dog) is on them too, she has musle loss because of it.
My friend Genine went down to 79 pounds during her fight with ovarian cancer. Although my problem (obesity) is at the other end of the spectrum, I do understand.
Genine hated being stared at (it was very obvious that something was wrong) and had a lot of pain when she sat, unless she was at home. She finally started carrying a variety of pillows with her in the car and would take one in with her to restaurants, church, etc. At church no one said anything, we all knew what was wrong, but going out in public was a strain at times.
I hope you get to feeling better soon! I get very active when I take Prednisone, and being very thin anyway, I can't remember if I lost weight or not, been about a year since my last Prednisone bout!
Prednisone has literally been a lifesaver for Mark and I, over the years, when nothing else worked. Any of the *new and improved* slow-acting inhalers, that take the place, or are supposed to, prednisone are actually inhaled steroids. When nothing else works, prednisone is the thing that helps us breathe, and you have to breathe to live.
Mark gets really hungry when he's on it, while I've never gotten that side-effect. We both get puffy (picture marshmallows!), night sweats, and I'm wondering if your taper has something to do w/the muscle aches. I do a much smaller taper than any Dr., other than my first pulmonologist, has ever recommended and I think that helps avoid some of that.
As to cataracts - I did have cataract surgery (laser), it's not a big deal at all, as I did it with no anesthetic, when the Dr. says "Don't move", I sure didn't! But, I can't say that I blame it on the prednisone as they run in my family, and the rest never took prednisone.
And yes, hot, 20 minutes - off - 20 minutes, -- back on for the same, etc's, but really, everyone is different and nobody knows how you feel better than you do.
Hugs,
Marilyn
I've only been fed steroids when I have a bad allergic reaction (to cornmeal)
I am sorry to hear about your health issues and need for steroids. I think it's ironic that large doses of Prednisone "causes" pain and lower doses can actually lessen pain. A few years ago I was experiencing arthritic type pains that were so bad I couldn't dress myself. I first tried massage therapy - which was great, but didn't relieve the pain. Then I gave in and agreed to Prednisone. I took it for 7 days. The pain went away and I haven't had problems with it since. It was the weirdest thing. No known reason for the pain I had, either.
Even though you are in pain, I hope the Prednisone helps you with your other issue and in the end, prayerfully you will find that you are cured. :-)
Sorry you are having so many health issues going on. *hugs*
Hope all works out for you =) I swear if I could give you some of my extra weight I would *wink wink* I have never had prendisone myself but my son has many times for his lungs. He is too young to really tell me if he is having side effects! I know the albuterol they give him sometimes makes him hyper! I just wish you all the best!
I get terrible insomnia with the prednisone too....I've started watching TV on DVD late at night, so I don't wake the whole house. I've now seen whole seasons of shows that I would never have thought of watching...LOL.
The side effects may not be pleasant, but if the steroids help (which they REALLY do me) then you just have to do it..... I hope you do gain a little weight this time...and hopefully that will help too.
You know what's funny? An hour after the first dose I started to become restless, my hands were shaking just itching for something to do. But that has calmed down and I have been sleeping like a baby at night. I even took a nap for two hours yesterday. I was expecting the insomnia, but it hasn't shown up yet.
Oh... the good 'roids. If you start lifting cars off the ground, we've got trouble.
I have kept you in my prayers. Please add yours for my son....
Prayers for my son