My Perscriptions
Prednisone
| Methotexate
| Imuran
| IVIg
| Remicade
| Zoloft
| Cytoxan |Rituximab|
Prednisone
Prednisone is a steroid used
to treat inflammatory conditions of the body, such as
Polymyositis. Prednisone, suppress the immune system
and It relieves inflammation. When you take it, it’s
like a miracle drug however it isn’t with out
its side effects. I’ve listed just some of them:
Some side effects from Prednisone:
- acne
- anxiety
- depression
- dizziness
- Easy bruising
- headache
- increased hair growth
- insomnia
- irregular or absent menstrual periods
- restlessness
- skin rash
- stomach irritation
- swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
- vision problems (cataracts)
- vomiting
- cold or infection that lasts a long
time
- muscle weakness
Here's
some important information I found out about getting
off of prednisone.
Normally
the adrenal glands release about 7½ mgs of cortisol
into the blood stream, more if you're stressed. Cortisol,
also known as cortisone, is a steroid that your adrenal
gland produces naturally. The brain monitors this amount
and regulates the adrenal function. However it can't
tell the difference between its own natural cortisone
or the prednisone your taking. So when someone has been
taking high doses of steroids over a long period of
time (six years for me) the brain may decrease or stop
producing cortisol altogether. If that happens it called
adrenal suppression. That's why it's so important to
taper off slowly to allow the adrenal gland to recover
and produce cortisol at a normal level again. Everyone
is different so I have to pay close attention to my
body when I get below 7 ½ mgs. If I taper down
too fast before my adrenal gland kicks in, I could have
a flare up. If the production of cortisol is permanently
suppressed as a result of taking prednisone for so many
years, then I'll need to continue to take small doses
of prednisone for life.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate, a disease-modifying
anti-rheumatic drug, is considered the standard treatment
for rheumatoid arthritis. It works as a cytotoxic drug
and as an immunosuppressant. Some side effects: Can't open socket
| 
