[mike hatlak]

My wife is long time user of prednisone to battle ITP. Recently they weened her off of it and she is now experiencing excruciating joint pain as a result. Is this joint pain side effect permanent? Will it go away in time. Should we encourage her Doctor to put her back on a low dose of prednisone?

thank you very much in advance for any help.
she can barely walk.

Mike Hatlak

[dakota]

I am also a long time user of prednisone and have severe joint pain, but I was told by 2 doctors one of which is my chiropractor that I have osteoarthritis. Sometimes my knees feel like they come apart and slide apart. It's scary as if I am walking when it happerns I stop in midstride till my knees go back together before I start walking again. I thought for saure I would be in a wheelchair by now. This happened 5 years ago to my left knee first and now my right knee also affects me. I went to my chiropractor using crutches as I couldn't walk on my own. After a few treatments at the chiropractor's I was using a cane, but now thanks to the chiroprator I am walking on my own. I still limp quite bad though so I use a riding cart in the stores that have them and also I have a handicapped card to use for the car. I also use glucosamine/chrondroitin tablets to help me cope with the pain. I haven't used it continually so I haven't had any painfree days yet. I use it every day now as I need something to help the pain ease. It takes up to 60 days to feel the affects. Hopefully one day I will be painfree and I hope your wife will too.

Lana

[mauroccm]

i am not sure, but i think this joint pain is caused by increased excretion of potassium. some corticosteroids may cause that. talk to the doctor about it