I'm thinking of asking my rheumatologist about low dose prednisone for fatigue -

[hedgehog]

Any comments?

[Warpy]

1. Approach cautiously, it's an ugly drug even in low doses.

He might have some better ideas that don't involve high blood sugar, weight gain, and osteoporosis.

It was a last ditch thing for me and I've been on it for 23 years.

[libodem]

2. I have only done one taper

And by the end my stomach always felt like it was nawing. I was short tempered and grumpy. My urine smelled 'funny' so I did a dipstick and it had glucose and protein in it. It is best as a short term anti-inflamatory. I didn't sleep well but it didn't give me any extra energy.

[Warpy]

4. Wrong. Low dose therapy is indicated in a lot of autoimmune illnesses

Patients who can tolerate an every other day dose do the best. I needed to take it every day and while I do have some of the side effects, they're minimal.

You do have to watch your blood sugar if it is borderline high before you start the drug.

It's a horrible drug but it beat the other two alternatives: in a wheel chair or dead.

[libodem]

5. I agree

Every other day gives your adrenal glands a chance to produce some adrenaline, and not turn off completely. My ex did that for his lupus. It just isn't good for me, personally.

[LiberalEsto]

3. It can cause your adrenal glands to shut down if you use too much nt

[CountAllVotes]

6. My late uncle was on it for years

It did him no good at all best I could tell. He died of a heart attack (and had developed diabetes from it as well) at the age of 70.

He was taking prednisone for a skin disorder and also for a myriad of other problems.

He was gone too soon IMO.

I'd never get into taking it ever day after seeing what happened to my late uncle. Sad as hell.

I realize some folks have no other options.

In my case, I tough it out because steroids scare the hell out of me and I go on anyway it seems. Why I'll never know I must admit.