hospital appt

marooned
marooned Member Posts: 68
edited 8. Oct 2010, 05:12 in Living with Arthritis archive
went to see the consultant yesterday, the inflamation level has gone up again, the doc has now put my daughter on steriods she has to take 2 per day, she hasnt stated them yet does anyone have any feedback on these is anyone taking them at the min you do hear some bad things about them, my daughter did see a OT a few months ago all she did was tell her how to hold scissors why i dont no, the doctor did say she should have gone thru more things and she has referred her to another OT who rang yesterday and has squeezed her in on the 13th oct so thats good, the consultant also said she was going to get us some local support groupe and to also contact the red cross about things for the home as anyone done thios on here, so overall we are worried that the RA inflamation is still high it did go down but is now up again. any help please x

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Inflammation levels show how active the arthritis is. I have two measures, CRP and ESR, and both have been beteen 100-200. The drugs are supposed to control inflammation levels, sometimes they do and sometimes they need some help, hence the steroids.

    If her dose is 10mg per day (ie 2 x 5mg) then that is fairly low and she shouldn't suffer any ill-effects. Steroids are dangerous if taken in large quantities over a long period of time. I have been on them for 3.5 years at varying doses, but nothing larger than 20mgs. I have gained weight, but that is all.

    Do not confuse theses steroids with the anabolic ones used by weightlifters etc. The steroids we take are corticosteroids, they mimic the body's own production of this stuff. They steroids may help to reduce the inflammation and they should help her feel better within herself. I cannot cope with it all without the steroids! I hope this helps. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Just to say I hope the steroids soon get the inflamation under control and Good luck with the next ot appointment.

    Sorry no advice given but I am thinkking of you and your daughter

    JuliePF x
  • marooned
    marooned Member Posts: 68
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thankyou xx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,893
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi marooned

    I am sorry your poor daughter's levels are so high and that the first OT did so little to help[ :(

    I hope she plucks up thje coirage to try the steroids and that the new OT has lots of good ideas for her.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi marooned

    Like DD I am assuming that 2 prednisolone tabs each day is 10mg. I have taken pred on and off for many years at varying doses and, for me it makes an amazing difference to the inflammation.

    My understanding is that docs generally like you, ideally, to take a maximum of 10mg because that's the level below which you are unlikely to get steroid related side effects.

    I think if you daughter tries them she may well find that the benefits outweigh any concerns about possible side effects.

    Good luck!

    Love Tilly xxx