Prednisone for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2012

"I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in January of 2012, I tried several medications prescribed by my doctor but nothing helped, I got to where I couldn't even get out of bed, couldn't even turn a door nob so I was a prisoner in my own house, I started taking Prednisone three weeks ago and feel like a new person, no pain at all anywhere. I don't care about any side effects, just to be able to live normally again is worth it to me. For now it has changed my life for the better."

• detchas
• July 30, 2016

"I have been on low dose Prednisone for 32 years. My RA started 2 years before Methotrexate and I was totally disabled for 2 years until I got in on clinical trials of MTX. The prednisone helped me get through flare ups and bad times. I would increase the dosage for a couple of days and ease the pain. Now I take 5mg a day every day to maintain myself. Now I am on disability due to my hands which are severely deformed. When you have experienced the effects of severe crippling Rheumatoid Arthritis, the pain of not being able to function at any level. You will do anything to relieve that pain. "

• bekris
• January 6, 2017

"I am in my 60s and the pain in shoulders, hips, hands and knees was so invasive, I had problems sleeping and getting out of bed in the morning. After some research, (I was originally diagnosed with arthritis), I found my symptoms matched the condition of Polymyalgia Rheumatica exactly. My physician accommodated me with a 20mg. prescription for prednisone. After two doses, my months-long battle with pain was completely over. I literally felt as if I'd been born again in the physical sense. For me, this medication was miraculous. Fortunately, I have not suffered any of the side effects such as swelling, etc. Tapering off the medication, I've found that 5mg. is my threshold dose. Under that, the symptoms come back."

• still...
• June 9, 2011

"I am 77 and have taken prednisone since I was 28. When first diagnosed I was told to take 10 aspirin in the morning and 10 in the evening. Really tough going with many serious side effects. Later I was prescribed prednisone and I knew it was a miracle medicine for me. I could hold an egg without dropping it and walk without extreme pain. Now I am on 5mg Prednisone with Methotrexate and Remicade. I am so happy to have quality of life with quantity due to the wisdom of the Rheumatologist!"

• Td35
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 8, 2017

"I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago with RA ..I was in crippling pain I started on 20 mg a day until flares got under control .. I now take plaquenil and 5 mg prednisone and feel like a human again and my rheumy wants me off the prednisone..I don't get it a patient feels great why take the relief away...small things in life make me happy ..walking,working and getting out of bed on my own.. I think it is a miracle drug"

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2012

"My body was so racked with pain I could hardly move in the morning. Brushing my teeth and combing my hair were major and painful chores. After 4 days on prednisone I am almost pain free. I do experience side effects of insomnia and diarrhea but is worth it to be mobile again!"

• Niya
• June 24, 2014

"I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2012. Sept 2013 was the last time I wore a pair heels & have been living with severe pains throughout my entire body. I had seen 5 different doctors, pres. Methotrexate & HCQS, but I would still be in so much pain, crying had become a normal part of my day. I was advised to see a sixth doctor (which I was not anxious to do) who was the only person to prescribe prednisolone. The very first day(2014/06/04), I was given IV Hydrocorticoid and 30mg Prednisone. Before the day ended, I was feeling so much better. To date, I'm on 20mg and Sulfasalazine and I'm back at work, run up & down stairs and so much happier to be like my old self. I do worry about the side effects since I already gained weight but I am so much better."

• JtheBSG
• May 24, 2020

"Maybe I did not read down far enough but there seemed to be little "help" offered. Here is what I have: Epsom salt baths. ES is full of magnesium and magnesium works against inflammation. Cabbage has 5 major anti-inflammatory compounds. Eat all the vinegar based coleslaw you want! Fat releases a group of highly inflammatory compounds known as cykotines. Lose fat and you greatly reduce their effects. Drink lots of water. Tumeric has terrific anti-inflammatory compounds and rheumatologists acknowledge this. Red meat, fried foods, processed foods and dairy will definitely NOT help. The stomach can cause inflammation. Use a probiotic. You must get rid of negative influences like people who are constantly bringing up the negative and saying things to increase worry. When you have someone whose entire conversation is doom and gloom ... they need to go!"

• RAmom
• November 6, 2017

"This medication is slowly but surely bringing me back to life. I've been going through a flare for about 5 months, with no resolve. Even tried depo medrol- intramusclelar shot. Which did nothing. I see reviews of people advising caution and saying you should NEVER take this drug. But what do you do if you're a 29yr old mom of 3 young children? Who works full time? Who can barely get out of bed? I will happily take moon face, happily meal plan to control weight gain, happily lose a little sleep. I will happily deal with these things in order to STAND without falling over, rock my baby to sleep without agonizing shoulder pain, make my children dinner and work! For me the benefits outweigh the risks! Do what is right for you!"

• Perma...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 28, 2016

"I developed RA after my appendix burst 7 years ago. Out of the 4 Rheumatologists I have had, none have seen a case as aggressive as mine. Within 2 years I was completely bedridden and under the care of others. While the side effects are horrible (no sleep, infections, hair falling out, weight gain and moon face), I continue to ask for it in high doses. I don't expect to live much longer, but I would rather live where my pain is manageable with pain meds than in the fetal position curled up in my bed crying 24/7. This disease is the worst."

• rheum...
• January 8, 2012

"I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis eight years ago and have been on many concoctions of pills since. When I got really bad flares that rendered me disabled I was treated with prednisone. For me this has been a miracle. I have had it injected into affected joints and also general injections. When direct into joints, the relief is almost instant, I could walk, move my hands like a miracle. When injected generally, it took three or four separate injections over 3-4 days before any improvement but it worked every time. I have to say, I don't know what I would have done over the years without prednisone. The side effects I suffered where weight gain and insomnia but these where better than being in agony and disabled."

• LArry...
• November 15, 2016

"It is a trap. Been taking 10 mg Prednisone daily for three years for severe RA. I also take Plaquenil. A weight gain of 35 pounds, dark circles under my eyes, scabs and bruises on my arms and legs my rheumatologist finally said ENOUGH! Now weaning off Prednisone. I have never felt worse in my life but for my burnt lung experience on Humira. My God what a terrible disease RA is. I wish something really helped. I wish there was some way to make the pain stop. Somedays I feel like a prisoner. I can't work, sitting and watching tv makes it worse, so I make up jobs to do outside and pretend like I make a contribution."

• BGM
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 27, 2014

Deltasone (prednisone) "Because of the length of time on Prednisone, I now look like a moon-faced pregnant linebacker. BUT, it has been the ONLY medicine since diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis that has given me any relief close to being able to function. I've been warned of the serious side effects, but with medicines everything is a trade off in my opinion. Without Prednisone, I may be out of bed a total of 2 hrs per 24hr period--& that's a GOOD day!"

• regamy
• October 22, 2008

"I just took my first dose of this medication today and already I can walk up and down the stairs of my house, something I have not been able to do for months, due to the swelling in my feet. What a relief!"

• seem
• May 17, 2015

"I took 10 mg oral prednisone for about 3 months, and I was pleased that there were little to no side effects for me. Within a few days about 90% of pain in back, hands, knees shoulders disappeared for the first time in over 20 yrs or more. It was wonderful, but now my doctors are refusing to prescribe prednisone anymore for me. They say it makes bones brittle. Yet, none of them will prescribe another kind of medicine, saying my ana and sed rates are only a little on the high side.What can I do now?"

• Dunno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

"Prednisone has been a saviour at being a quick fix in getting rid of my crippling RA symptoms. Started on 10mg a day with no side affects. Now into my 7th week on it and tapered down to 7.5mg I'm getting terrible side affects. Agitation, anxiety, mood swings, awful insomnia which worsens the mood swings and the lack of sleep then causes its own lot of side affects. I'm not sure what's worse right at this moment - pain in all my limb joints or these aggravating side affects?! I am writing this at a peak of a pouty mood swing though. I don't do well without sleep and 3 nights in a row with just a few hours between them is it. On a positive note I am almost fully mobile when on the drug. So I highly recommend it for short term use."

• kista
• January 18, 2014

"I was hospitalized 2 years ago with ra for a week,that's how bad I was. I woke up totally crippled in every joint, it hit me all at once. I have been on predisone since day one,in the hospital I was on 260 mg, get the picture of how bad I was. I have been on 60 mg for over a year on top of every ra med you could imagine plus I get injections of pres twice a month,we rotate every joint from my neck to my legs. And yes it is s miracle work since nothing else has helped but it has made me so fat,60 lbs in two years with a found face. It also causes serious side effects with diabetes. I wish I could get off of it, I stopped on my own once and was in sever pain and felt like I had the flu and my rhum.Dr from John Hopkins said I had withdrawls."

• Deadh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 16, 2023

"Have RA since 2016. Have been on every biologic under the sun. Currently on methotrexate and new biologic Lorencia for 6 months. The only thing that has worked like magic is prednisone. Currently taking 40 mgs a day. Titrate down to 20 mg by reducing my 5 mg per week then the flares come back with a vengeance. Multiple joints affected with severe swelling and stabbing pain. No real side effects for me other than increased blood sugar which I manage with insulin and a slight touch of insomnia. Quality of life is paramount, not longevity of life. No real point in living an extra ten years if pain is completely debilitating. I choose less pain and shorter life. We all have to die eventually, no? I'm 58 by the way. Lived a good full life. I'm ready for the next adventure. Sick of being in pain all the time. Nuff said."

• Nini
• April 9, 2018

"I was diagnosed with RA and had the opinion and experimentation of drugs from 6 different doctors and none worked. Until one day, my 7th Dr prescribed prednisolone (prednisone). Less than 24hrs after taking it, I felt so much better. I began to do things on my own again like hold a teacup, stand or walk faster than I had in almost 2 years. The pain I felt every night and woke with evey morning was now manageable. The moon face, weight gain were small prices to pay to be able to comb my own hair. I've weaned off from 20mg to 2.5mg per day and that was great. But after a flare I was forced to up my dosage again. Learning how to manage it with prednisone helps. Side effects of long term use is important, but having the ability to live a normal life while having RA is a gift. Do what works for you."

• Still...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2019

"My grandfather was diagnosed with RA in his 30s. Following knee replacement surgery at 61, he was put on Prednisone. At 66, he went to the hospital, within 2 hours he was put on life support and died the following day. It was New Year’s Eve. Cause of death - pneumonia. Prednisone masked his symptoms until it was too late. He never even knew he was sick. Prednisone is a miracle worker for most people. I’ve taken it for short periods of time to get my severe eczema under control, but I protest every time. I’m always afraid to take it even briefly because of how I lost my best friend; my hero. It’s a cruel joke, really. My grandpa was in the 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal, survived Korea, came home from Vietnam...taken out by a tiny pill. For those in pain, I know how desperately you search for relief and when you find it, you never want to let go. This one, in my opinion, should not be taken indefinitely. If Prednisone works for you, please just take with caution."

• Rachael
• June 29, 2015

"I had a full bone scan and found arthritis in almost every joint, worst being knee, wrists fingers, feet and neck. I was prescribed Prednisone and within 1-2 days they worked, however, one of the side effects is weight gain. I do recommend them if you don't mind putting on a lot of weight. I didn't stay on them because of this but have taken full strength Glucosomine every day for years, I think over time they have gradually repaired some damage to the joints. A lot of times I could feel an attack of arthritis coming on, I would feel extremely tired, words even slurred so I would take 1/2 to 1 Prednisone, no pain next day."

• Sam
• July 18, 2011

"I have polymyalgia rheumatitis in my joints. The only thing for this disease is prednisone so I take it. I have had 10 lbs of weight gain, hot flashes all the time, excessive urination (at least 5 times during the night) but the pain in my joints is gone. I am slowly working my way off of prednisone 1 1/2 tabs right now) within 12 - 15 weeks I should be off and my disease should be gone. So I'm a lucky one."

• Marie...
• October 19, 2009

"I am a 55 year old female and have been living with RA for 8 years. Prednisone has made a MAJOR difference in the quality of my life together with a combination of CoxFlam; Nivaquine, Arava, Salezepyrin and Methotrexate. I still have to go for regular blood tests and Cortisone IVs every 6 - 8 months, but thanks to the medication and my wonderful rheumatologist, I can live a normal and productive live. I am a Senior IT Manager in a very demanding job. Although I had to slow down my pace a bit (as I am totally adrenaline driven), I am still managing my career very well and hope to remain in my career for another 10 years. "

• Sili...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2015

"I have a love/hate relationship with Prednisone. It really helps when you need it. In fact, sometimes, it's the ONLY thing that helps. Over 20 years ago I was on it for my UC. I never gained weight on it. I did get the cute moon face though. Recently I was diagnosed with another auto-immune disease. NSAIDs didn't do anything to alleviate my pain. I'm on Sulfasalazine and Methotrexate. We started with 40 mg Prednisone and have tapered to 10 right now. NEVER get off Prednisone cold turkey (If you've been on it for a while), your adrenals will pay. You have to taper off. However, as I taper off, my pain is coming back. It has a lot of side effects. I already have osteopenia from the last time."

• Koke
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2019

"Severe R.A. as a side effect from Keytruda (cancer drug) Mostly in my fingers, hands, wrists and shoulders.. So bad I could hardly get out of bed- until I was given prednisone. In my case 20mg/day is the magic number. It’s amazing to see how fast the pain and stiffness returned after only a few days of trying to reduce my daily dose to 15mg. After 10-12 weeks on 20mg/day I have gained 15 pounds and have both the “moon face” and abdominal weight gain. But, prior to the prednisone the pain was SO BAD it was almost suicidal! So I’ll take the side effects as long as I can live a productive, helpful life. I am VERY thankful that this drug exists!!!! "