Is 5mg of Prednisone even enough to have an affect?

[hailey108]

Hi Everyone!

I have been taking 5mg of Prednisone for 2 1/2 months now, but as I read more and more of your stories I'm not even close to the mg that some of you are taking (I've seen mostly 60mg). This was prescribed by the Rheumatologist that has no experience with GM and said lets just try it to see what happens..At the time I went along with it because I was pregnant so I was fine with the low dose but I thought once I had the baby he would raise the dosage. When I went back after having the baby and asked if he was going to raise the dosage he said no lets just leave it at 5mg and see how it goes for 6 months. I have'nt had a flare up but the large lump, which according to the breast specialist is infammed breast tissue is still the same no changes.  But now Im wondering If I should even bother taking it if its such a low dose. I'm also concerned with the long term side effects of the prednisone. Specially sine I read it shuts down your immune system and makes you more prone to infection. I am currently looking for another Rhuematologist but in the meantime wondering if I should continue?? Any thoughts???

[ruostentatious]

From what I was told and the research my doctors went off of was that a low dose steroid is usually non effective.

I was on a high dose Predisone for several months with no change and weaned onto Methotrexate. I stopped and am back on a "lower" dose of Predisone with still no change.

[fibromommyx3]

I am currently on 5 mg also along with Imuran and I am fine with the 5 mg.  I am so afraid of the prednisone because I know it can be so damaging to your body.  My dr who seems very knowledable with GM said that once the Imuran kicks in he could wean me off of the prednisone.

My other concern with going to a higher dosage is because I was on 20 mg before and after about 10-15 days of it I took myself off (I was in between drs. at the time).  My mood and emotions completely plumpeted and let's just say I wasn't doing good at all and I needed to come off of them before something bad happened.  So that is also why I am scared of going on a higher dose.  

I am also currently trying to lose weight and I don't want the prednisone to affect my weight loss.  Totally a selfish reason, I know, but I am working really hard to get the weight off and I am finally at a time in my life where I am 100% committed to get it ALL off and I don't want any meds to affect it.

Any extra info would help too Jo, thanks.

Fibromommyx3

[JoJo45]

I am going to try to find some of the latest articles noting recommended levels and treatment lengths.

As far as I know, until you reach 7 mg of prednisone, your own adrenal gland does not shut down, and so at this low level (5 mg) you would not need to be concerned about affecting your immune system functioning.

Let me see what I can find to post for you -

Jo