Question:

In article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I sympathize. I, too, was on Depo and gained and experienced a host of side effects that included aggression and some that were a little more personal, if you get my drift. Doc theorized that my reaction to depo may have been caused by my use of steroids for asthma–that the steroids "enhanced" the effect of the hormones in Depo. He switched me back to the pill, and I’m back to "normal." I also lost the extra fifteen pounds I had gained while on Depo. Good luck to you. Amy

I had trouble with depo provera (pills) but had even more trouble with megace, also a synthetic progesterone.  I wasn’t taking either of the two for birth control, but for uterine hyperplasia.  Now, I take prometrium, and, while it slows weight loss, and makes me dizzy and sleepy while on it, it doesn’t do the depression thing, the excessive weight gain thing, or the heart pain thing.  All in all, it’s a good choice. — Nancy Howells (don’t forget to switch it, and replace the to send mail).

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I am diabetic and Depo Provera really screwed up my blood sugar. I was losing weight before going on it but that went out the window too. I am now on a generic pill form of progesterone along with a progesterone IUD and its still causing problems. Oh and I feel like c–p. I had bouts of queasiness for the first few months and I am tired all the time, even when I get up in the morning.  The problem is I too have endometrial hyperplasia and its so advanced it was originally misdiagnosed as cancer. I have to take the stuff no matter how much I hate it. Debra

Response:

If I didn’t mention it… I’m a diabetic too. And no BG problems on Depo.  I’ve maintained non-diabetic A1cs for five years, taken every three months. Every body is different. Jennifer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am diabetic and Depo Provera really screwed up my blood sugar. I was losing weight before going on it but that went out the window too. I am now on a generic pill form of progesterone along with a progesterone IUD and its still causing problems. Oh and I feel like c–p. I had bouts of queasiness for the first few months and I am tired all the time, even when I get up in the morning.  The problem is I too have endometrial hyperplasia and its so advanced it was originally misdiagnosed as cancer. I have to take the stuff no matter how much I hate it. Debra

Response:

I understand. Depo Provera made me a hungry moody woman.  It makes your body think you are pregnant. Finally got my tubes tied last year. Was afraid at first but the best thing I think I could have done. I am spade. Jennifer S. 206/159/135

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. Needless to say I will not be getting it. I am so absolutely miserable, but more than that I am really pissed at the medical community for misleading me about "possible weight gain". They said I could gain up to 5 lbs, but that was PER shot. Not only that but I am moody, irritable, tired constantly, have no energy or ambition to leave the house for anything (not even shoe shop which is my favorite thing). I attributed all of these things to weight gain, but didn’t clue in that the weight gain was a symptom of the bigger problem. This drug is BAD news. I have gone to a Nutritionist to find out how to "detox" my body and hopefully I will be back on the road to losing weight and feeling good about myself. Just wanted to share. Lori "To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the world" -unknown

Response:

The world breathes a sigh of relief. — You take stupid to a new level.  – MFW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am spade.

Response:

I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs.

Ouch. My best friend went on depo and actually lost a little weight for the two years she was on it. Then she went off, and WOW! She gained over 30lbs, at a rate of a little over a pound a DAY. It was insane, that stuff really messes you up. That was years ago, and she never has been able to get it off either. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 5′7" 265/166/140 & hubby- 6′ 310/188/180 http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lcer09/my_photos

Response:

Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks.

You might want to look elsewhere for your weight gain. My wife has been on Depo Provera since the mid-eighties and is 105lb and 5′4". Of my five daughters, two are also using it; both are slim and healthy. It is highly unlikely that Depo Provera would increase weight by as much as 40lbs without it becoming a widely known and well publicised fact. I have had many clients use it and only once was weight gain mentioned and it was in the order of a few pounds that was quickly lost, not in the magnitude that you are suggesting. In some cases they had switched from an estrogen/progestin based product to Depo Provera in order to reduce weight. Regards David — To reply, please include the letters DNF anywhere in the subject line. All other mail is automatically deleted.

Response:

Quit making excuses and try eating less. — Most people are dumb as bricks; some people are dumber than that.  – MFW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. Needless to say I will not be getting it. I am so absolutely miserable, but more than that I am really pissed at the medical community for misleading me about "possible weight gain". They said I could gain up to 5 lbs, but that was PER shot. Not only that but I am moody, irritable, tired constantly, have no energy or ambition to leave the house for anything (not even shoe shop which is my favorite thing). I attributed all of these things to weight gain, but didn’t clue in that the weight gain was a symptom of the bigger problem. This drug is BAD news. I have gone to a Nutritionist to find out how to "detox" my body and hopefully I will be back on the road to losing weight and feeling good about myself. Just wanted to share. Lori "To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the world" -unknown

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. You might want to look elsewhere for your weight gain. My wife has been on Depo Provera since the mid-eighties and is 105lb and 5′4". Of my five daughters, two are also using it; both are slim and healthy. It is highly unlikely that Depo Provera would increase weight by as much as 40lbs without it becoming a widely known and well publicised fact.

I thought it was a widley known fact. A question, have your wife or daughters ever tried to go off the depo? Come to think of it, was depo even out in the mid 80s? Was she in a test market or something? LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 5′7" 265/166/140 & hubby- 6′ 310/188/180 http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lcer09/my_photos

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And yet it is a wonder drug for me. No weight gain… no mood swings…

yep, me too.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. Needless to say I will not be getting it. I am so absolutely miserable, but more than that I am really pissed at the medical community for misleading me about "possible weight gain". They said I could gain up to 5 lbs, but that was PER shot. Not only that but I am moody, irritable, tired constantly, have no energy or ambition to leave the house for anything (not even shoe shop which is my favorite thing). I attributed all of these things to weight gain, but didn’t clue in that the weight gain was a symptom of the bigger problem. This drug is BAD news. I have gone to a Nutritionist to find out how to "detox" my body and hopefully I will be back on the road to losing weight and feeling good about myself. Just wanted to share. Lori "To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the world" -unknown

I’m sorry you had such a bad reaction to it.  Myself, I’ve lost 50 pounds on low-carb, while on Depo the whole time. Everyone’s body is different, and mine _loves_ Depo-Provera.  No cramps, no PMS, no feeling like I have the flu every month, it’s been great for me. — Michelle Levin http://www.mindspring.com/~lunachick I have only 3 flaws.  My first flaw is thinking that I only have 3 flaws.

Response:

You might want to look elsewhere for your weight gain. My wife has been on Depo Provera since the mid-eighties and is 105lb and 5′4". Of my five daughters, two are also using it; both are slim and healthy. It is highly unlikely that Depo Provera would increase weight by as much as 40lbs without it becoming a widely known and well publicised fact. I thought it was a widley known fact.

No, it isn’t. It known that *some* women experience a small, non-permanent weight gain, nothing like the gain attributed to Depo Provera by the OP. According to Australian Pharmaceutical testing both prior to approval and subsequent to approval,  the average gain in test subjects who were already more than 10% overweight resulted in an average gain of 5.3lbs over twelve months and 8.2 lbs over twenty-four months. With women in a normal healthy weight range at the start of testing, weight gain was slight in the early stages and not extant at the twelve month marker. In women of normal weight who exercised regularly the weight gain was not apparent. The real risk with Depo Provera is far more serious, but relatively easy to circumvent. It accelerates osteoporosis rather dramatically. The included documentation notes this but many women who use it do not take a daily calcium supplement and are now experiencing bone density losses.   A question, have your wife or daughters ever tried to go off the depo?

Yes, after a kidney infection and hospital stay my wife stopped for nearly a year. One daughter stopped for two years to have a baby. Neither had weight problems, *but* as I often emphasise, they all are very active people with daily exercise as a part of their lifestyle. We have always had a swimming pool and lived in waterfront homes, so they are used to swimming, kayaking, tennis and walking (dogs) as a part of their everyday routine when growing up. Even when moving to city apartments they continue to exercise. All are gym members and all walk or jog daily. We have also had very healthy eating habits, fresh foods, much of it home grown (permaculture is a hobby of mine) nothing with preservatives or chemicals, low saturated fats etc. My children grew up without an excess of snack foods or candy, they were reserved for special treats, and they were not allowed soft drinks (sodas) at all. They were given natural fruit flavoured mineral water. I worked in fitness and weight-loss areas with a number of women who used Depo Provera and was quite interested in the result of changes to their metabolism & fitness levels etc., and monitored them quite carefully. I have very detailed records on more than four hundred clients, mostly women, and always monitored any changes in medication, diet, birth control and have noted no negative changes when beginning or ending Depo Provera. I am not keen on any chemical/pharmaceutical intervention in a person’s body, but this is a choice made for convenience by women and is not based on a  man’s opinion on optimum health potential. If I were a woman I suspect that I would override my doubts and do the same. Depo Provera seems to be one birth control option that (in an otherwise healthy woman) seems to have little negative effect.   Come to think of it, was depo even out in the mid 80s? Was she in a test market or something?

Depo Provera was released in Australia in the late seventies. My wife went onto it in the eighties after several of her friends from high school had been using it without ill effect for several years. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 5′7" 265/166/140 & hubby- 6′ 310/188/180 http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lcer09/my_photos

Just had a peek at your photo’s. Looking good, doing well. <g Regards David — To reply, please include the letters DNF anywhere in the subject line. All other mail is automatically deleted.

Response:

No, it isn’t. It known that *some* women experience a small, non-permanent weight gain, nothing like the gain attributed to Depo Provera by the OP.

<shrug Without exception, every single person I know IRL has had adverse affects from depo-prevera. Normal weight or not, active and healthy or not. I have to widen my scope and get on the internet to find people who don’t have problems. Myself, I’d never touch the stuff. Not for any amount of money. LCing since 12/01/03- Me- 5′7" 265/166/140 & hubby- 6′ 310/188/180 http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/lcer09/my_photos

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. Needless to say I will not be getting it. I am so absolutely miserable, but more than that I am really pissed at the medical community for misleading me about "possible weight gain". They said I could gain up to 5 lbs, but that was PER shot. Not only that but I am moody, irritable, tired constantly, have no energy or ambition to leave the house for anything (not even shoe shop which is my favorite thing). I attributed all of these things to weight gain, but didn’t clue in that the weight gain was a symptom of the bigger problem. This drug is BAD news. I have gone to a Nutritionist to find out how to "detox" my body and hopefully I will be back on the road to losing weight and feeling good about myself.

My sister had very similar results with Depo Provera! She’d always been fit and never overweight before, either.  After starting that, she quickly gained 20 pounds, then more slowly added another 5 or 10 pounds.  Even after getting off it… she’s had to struggle with her weight ever since. Good luck getting it out of your system. — Spring LC since 1/1/04 260/208/170 http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sprgsnow/album?.tok=phX4sVBBuvxvs4Hs… Size: 24W / 14 / 10

Response:

Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs.

I sympathize. I, too, was on Depo and gained and experienced a host of side effects that included aggression and some that were a little more personal, if you get my drift. Doc theorized that my reaction to depo may have been caused by my use of steroids for asthma–that the steroids "enhanced" the effect of the hormones in Depo. He switched me back to the pill, and I’m back to "normal." I also lost the extra fifteen pounds I had gained while on Depo. Good luck to you. Amy

Response:

I don’t know exactly how much I put on with the Depo – but over 6 years it was over two stones.  I came off in September last year and had a 3 year implant instead.  I lost half a stone in the first three months which is the first weight loss in the 5 years I have been diagnosed t2. I don’t know if the previous weight gain was to do with the diabetes, 3 years of insulin or the depo but the only thing I do know is I had never been able to lose weight with anything before I came off the depo. Only regret is now I am back to TOM’s.  I have also lost another 8 lbs since low carbing.- since August. LOL Linda

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. Needless to say I will not be getting it. I am so absolutely miserable, but more than that I am really pissed at the medical community for misleading me about "possible weight gain". They said I could gain up to 5 lbs, but that was PER shot. Not only that but I am moody, irritable, tired constantly, have no energy or ambition to leave the house for anything (not even shoe shop which is my favorite thing). I attributed all of these things to weight gain, but didn’t clue in that the weight gain was a symptom of the bigger problem. This drug is BAD news. I have gone to a Nutritionist to find out how to "detox" my body and hopefully I will be back on the road to losing weight and feeling good about myself. Just wanted to share. Lori "To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the world" -unknown

Response:

Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. Needless to say I will not be getting it. I am so absolutely miserable, but more than that I am really pissed at the medical community for misleading me about "possible weight gain". They said I could gain up to 5 lbs, but that was PER shot. Not only that but I am moody, irritable, tired constantly, have no energy or ambition to leave the house for anything (not even shoe shop which is my favorite thing). I attributed all of these things to weight gain, but didn’t clue in that the weight gain was a symptom of the bigger problem. This drug is BAD news. I have gone to a Nutritionist to find out how to "detox" my body and hopefully I will be back on the road to losing weight and feeling good about myself. Just wanted to share. Lori "To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the world" -unknown

Response:

And yet it is a wonder drug for me. No weight gain… no mood swings… And I’m not bleeding to the point of needing a blood transfusion again. Which I was, due to fibroids. Jennifer – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, 2 years ago I went on Atkins and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. I stayed on it and was on maintenance when I made a dreaded mistake. I started taking Depo Provera shots (birth control) and in the year since that fateful decision I have (while still on Atkins) gained back 40 lbs. I had my last shot in July and am due for the next in 2 weeks. Needless to say I will not be getting it. I am so absolutely miserable, but more than that I am really pissed at the medical community for misleading me about "possible weight gain". They said I could gain up to 5 lbs, but that was PER shot. Not only that but I am moody, irritable, tired constantly, have no energy or ambition to leave the house for anything (not even shoe shop which is my favorite thing). I attributed all of these things to weight gain, but didn’t clue in that the weight gain was a symptom of the bigger problem. This drug is BAD news. I have gone to a Nutritionist to find out how to "detox" my body and hopefully I will be back on the road to losing weight and feeling good about myself. Just wanted to share. Lori "To the world you might be one person but to one person you just might be the world" -unknown

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Question:

I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight training, lots of cardio, etc. A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib break but it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it would have just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral fracture on one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter fracture on the other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed up. They did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 screws in my ankle and leg to put it back together. The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray and said that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out I have steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma since I’m 2 years old. Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t do my work outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. Then another 10 I think was out of sheer depression. Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way of eating at the end of April. I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t worn in 6 months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I put them on this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without even unbuttoning them! I haven’t felt this good in two years! Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made it possible to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very supportive but he does keep me laughing. Thanks guys for your ongoing support. — Sheli http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm

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congrats to you sheli! now how about sharing a sample menu, and your exercise program with us? — CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/

: I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight training, lots : of cardio, etc. : : A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib break but : it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it would have : just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral fracture on : one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter fracture on the : other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed up. They : did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 screws in my : ankle and leg to put it back together. : : The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray and said : that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out I have : steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma since I’m 2 : years old. : : Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t do my work : outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. Then another : 10 I think was out of sheer depression. : : Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way of eating : at the end of April. : : I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t worn in 6 : months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. : : 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I put them on : this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without even : unbuttoning them! : : I haven’t felt this good in two years! : : Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made it possible : to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very supportive : but he does keep me laughing. : : Thanks guys for your ongoing support. : : : — : Sheli : http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm : :

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Thanks Freeborn, but I’ll feel beautiful when I’m a size 7 again. You are a beautiful woman as well, and keep up the work you’ve been doing and for god sakes woman, throw out those nuts:) — Sheli http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight training, lots of cardio, etc. A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib break but it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it would have just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral fracture on one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter fracture on the other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed up. They did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 screws in my ankle and leg to put it back together. The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray and said that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out I have steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma since I’m 2 years old. Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t do my work outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. Then another 10 I think was out of sheer depression. Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way of eating at the end of April. I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t worn in 6 months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I put them on this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without even unbuttoning them! I haven’t felt this good in two years! Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made it possible to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very supportive but he does keep me laughing. Thanks guys for your ongoing support. I am very happy you are feeling so good after all you’ve been through. Size 12 is a very nice size to be, and you are a beautiful woman. *

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[snip] – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way of eating at the end of April. I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t worn in 6 months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I put them on this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without even unbuttoning them! I haven’t felt this good in two years! Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made it possible to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very supportive but he does keep me laughing. Thanks guys for your ongoing support.

Congratulations. — JJ.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight training, lots of cardio, etc. A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib break but it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it would have just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral fracture on one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter fracture on the other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed up. They did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 screws in my ankle and leg to put it back together. The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray and said that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out I have steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma since I’m 2 years old. Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t do my work outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. Then another 10 I think was out of sheer depression. Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way of eating at the end of April. I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t worn in 6 months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I put them on this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without even unbuttoning them! I haven’t felt this good in two years! Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made it possible to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very supportive but he does keep me laughing. Thanks guys for your ongoing support.

I am very happy you are feeling so good after all you’ve been through. Size 12 is a very nice size to be, and you are a beautiful woman. *

Response:

Congrats! — Linda 296/235/160 LC since Oct. 13, 2003 http://home.att.net/~lewis_linda/index.html

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight training, lots of cardio, etc. A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib break but it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it would have just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral fracture on one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter fracture on the other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed up. They did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 screws in my ankle and leg to put it back together. The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray and said that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out I have steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma since I’m 2 years old. Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t do my work outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. Then another 10 I think was out of sheer depression. Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way of eating at the end of April. I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t worn in 6 months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I put them on this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without even unbuttoning them! I haven’t felt this good in two years! Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made it possible to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very supportive but he does keep me laughing. Thanks guys for your ongoing support. — Sheli http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm

Response:

Sure anytime! — Sheli http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – WOW! thanks for sharing! — CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ : I can do that:) : : For breakfast I’ve been having egg beaters with american cheese and recently : I re-introduced whole wheat toast with butter. : : Coffee with splenda : : For lunch I usually have a tossed romaine salad with fresh veggies (lots of : extra cucumbers, shredded carrots, peppers, a few olives, shredded cheese : (cheddar or parmesan depending on what I’m in the mood for) I’m really not : big into dressings, so usually I just drizzle olive oil over it and add some : oregano, and pepper. : : Afternoon snack, I eat half of an apple ( I know it’s not low carb JC but : I’m not doing atkins, I’m on Southbeach and it is allowed in phase 2) And a : couple of ounces of Romano Cheese . *it’s my favorite* or string cheese. : : For dinner, I’ll sometimes make chicken but I’m not a big meat eater at all. : If it’s grilled and marinated I may have it over a spinach salad. But I’d : just be as happy without it. : : But if I have no meat, I’ll have a romaine or  spinach salad with 2 hard : boiled eggs sliced up, tomatoes, bacon bits, sunflower seeds with Ken’s : light olive oil and vinagrette.  Good dressing, but I only put a little on : as I said before I don’t like a lot of dressing. On the side I either make a : Ricotta souffle…(in a custard or souffle cup…Ricotta, 1 egg, parsley , : salt, and pepper, bake till cheese rises up a bit and gets light brown on : top) or I’ll have ricotta cheese on the side of my salad with plum tomatoes : and red roasted peppers. : : I also roast up a vegetable dish….Zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, baby : carrots, fresh green beans and vadalia onions with a drizzle of soy sauce : over the top and sprinkled with ginger. : : I’m also on an escarole kick right now which I sautee in olive oil and : garlic. : : Or I’ll cook  veggies in a wok and once in a while throw in some chicken and : some seasoning. : : For a snack at nite I’ll usually have a hard boiled egg, or some string : cheese. : : : I  drink a lot of water with my meals and throughout the day. : : I teach a Senior Fitness Class in the morning, so I get some weight training : there as well as just some range of motion exercises incorporated with some : tae chi and yoga. That’s every day at 9:45. (when I am working that is) At : night I go to curves. (please no flames about curves, haven’t we had enough : of that:) I’ve been averaging about 4 times per week. 1/2 of a sports bottle : of Gatoraide and the rest water after my work out. One sports bottle of : Gatoraid lasts me two days.   Then before bed every night I am up to about : 200 crunches. (big accomplishment for me) : I also ride my bicycle 2 nights per week for cardio. 2 nights per week I : ride my bike with my daughter…not fast enough to be considered : cardio…just riding around the neighborhood. : : That’s my meal plan and exercise program …of course I do vary the menu up : a bit but that’s an average day. : : : — : Sheli : http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm : congrats to you sheli! : : now how about sharing a sample menu, and your exercise program with : us? : : — : CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY : United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ : International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ : : : : : : : : : : I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight : training, lots : : of cardio, etc. : : : : A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib : break but : : it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it : would have : : just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral : fracture on : : one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter : fracture on the : : other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed : up. They : : did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 : screws in my : : ankle and leg to put it back together. : : : : The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray : and said : : that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out : I have : : steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma : since I’m 2 : : years old. : : : : Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t : do my work : : outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. : Then another : : 10 I think was out of sheer depression. : : : : Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way : of eating : : at the end of April. : : : : I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t : worn in 6 : : months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. : : : : 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I : put them on : : this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without : even : : unbuttoning them! : : : : I haven’t felt this good in two years! : : : : Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made : it possible : : to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very : supportive : : but he does keep me laughing. : : : : Thanks guys for your ongoing support. : : : : : : — : : Sheli : : http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm : : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm : : : : : : : :

Response:

WOW! thanks for sharing! — CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/

: I can do that:) : : For breakfast I’ve been having egg beaters with american cheese and recently : I re-introduced whole wheat toast with butter. : : Coffee with splenda : : For lunch I usually have a tossed romaine salad with fresh veggies (lots of : extra cucumbers, shredded carrots, peppers, a few olives, shredded cheese : (cheddar or parmesan depending on what I’m in the mood for) I’m really not : big into dressings, so usually I just drizzle olive oil over it and add some : oregano, and pepper. : : Afternoon snack, I eat half of an apple ( I know it’s not low carb JC but : I’m not doing atkins, I’m on Southbeach and it is allowed in phase 2) And a : couple of ounces of Romano Cheese . *it’s my favorite* or string cheese. : : For dinner, I’ll sometimes make chicken but I’m not a big meat eater at all. : If it’s grilled and marinated I may have it over a spinach salad. But I’d : just be as happy without it. : : But if I have no meat, I’ll have a romaine or  spinach salad with 2 hard : boiled eggs sliced up, tomatoes, bacon bits, sunflower seeds with Ken’s : light olive oil and vinagrette.  Good dressing, but I only put a little on : as I said before I don’t like a lot of dressing. On the side I either make a : Ricotta souffle…(in a custard or souffle cup…Ricotta, 1 egg, parsley , : salt, and pepper, bake till cheese rises up a bit and gets light brown on : top) or I’ll have ricotta cheese on the side of my salad with plum tomatoes : and red roasted peppers. : : I also roast up a vegetable dish….Zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, baby : carrots, fresh green beans and vadalia onions with a drizzle of soy sauce : over the top and sprinkled with ginger. : : I’m also on an escarole kick right now which I sautee in olive oil and : garlic. : : Or I’ll cook  veggies in a wok and once in a while throw in some chicken and : some seasoning. : : For a snack at nite I’ll usually have a hard boiled egg, or some string : cheese. : : : I  drink a lot of water with my meals and throughout the day. : : I teach a Senior Fitness Class in the morning, so I get some weight training : there as well as just some range of motion exercises incorporated with some : tae chi and yoga. That’s every day at 9:45. (when I am working that is) At : night I go to curves. (please no flames about curves, haven’t we had enough : of that:) I’ve been averaging about 4 times per week. 1/2 of a sports bottle : of Gatoraide and the rest water after my work out. One sports bottle of : Gatoraid lasts me two days.   Then before bed every night I am up to about : 200 crunches. (big accomplishment for me) : I also ride my bicycle 2 nights per week for cardio. 2 nights per week I : ride my bike with my daughter…not fast enough to be considered : cardio…just riding around the neighborhood. : : That’s my meal plan and exercise program …of course I do vary the menu up : a bit but that’s an average day. : : : — : Sheli : http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm

: congrats to you sheli! : : now how about sharing a sample menu, and your exercise program with : us? : : — : CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY : United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ : International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ : : : : : : : : : : I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight : training, lots : : of cardio, etc. : : : : A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib : break but : : it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it : would have : : just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral : fracture on : : one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter : fracture on the : : other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed : up. They : : did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 : screws in my : : ankle and leg to put it back together. : : : : The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray : and said : : that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out : I have : : steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma : since I’m 2 : : years old. : : : : Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t : do my work : : outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. : Then another : : 10 I think was out of sheer depression. : : : : Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way : of eating : : at the end of April. : : : : I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t : worn in 6 : : months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. : : : : 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I : put them on : : this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without : even : : unbuttoning them! : : : : I haven’t felt this good in two years! : : : : Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made : it possible : : to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very : supportive : : but he does keep me laughing. : : : : Thanks guys for your ongoing support. : : : : : : — : : Sheli : : http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm : : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm : : : : : : : :

Response:

I can do that:) For breakfast I’ve been having egg beaters with american cheese and recently I re-introduced whole wheat toast with butter. Coffee with splenda For lunch I usually have a tossed romaine salad with fresh veggies (lots of extra cucumbers, shredded carrots, peppers, a few olives, shredded cheese (cheddar or parmesan depending on what I’m in the mood for) I’m really not big into dressings, so usually I just drizzle olive oil over it and add some oregano, and pepper. Afternoon snack, I eat half of an apple ( I know it’s not low carb JC but I’m not doing atkins, I’m on Southbeach and it is allowed in phase 2) And a couple of ounces of Romano Cheese . *it’s my favorite* or string cheese. For dinner, I’ll sometimes make chicken but I’m not a big meat eater at all. If it’s grilled and marinated I may have it over a spinach salad. But I’d just be as happy without it. But if I have no meat, I’ll have a romaine or  spinach salad with 2 hard boiled eggs sliced up, tomatoes, bacon bits, sunflower seeds with Ken’s light olive oil and vinagrette.  Good dressing, but I only put a little on as I said before I don’t like a lot of dressing. On the side I either make a Ricotta souffle…(in a custard or souffle cup…Ricotta, 1 egg, parsley , salt, and pepper, bake till cheese rises up a bit and gets light brown on top) or I’ll have ricotta cheese on the side of my salad with plum tomatoes and red roasted peppers. I also roast up a vegetable dish….Zucchini, yellow squash, asparagus, baby carrots, fresh green beans and vadalia onions with a drizzle of soy sauce over the top and sprinkled with ginger. I’m also on an escarole kick right now which I sautee in olive oil and garlic. Or I’ll cook  veggies in a wok and once in a while throw in some chicken and some seasoning. For a snack at nite I’ll usually have a hard boiled egg, or some string cheese. I  drink a lot of water with my meals and throughout the day. I teach a Senior Fitness Class in the morning, so I get some weight training there as well as just some range of motion exercises incorporated with some tae chi and yoga. That’s every day at 9:45. (when I am working that is) At night I go to curves. (please no flames about curves, haven’t we had enough of that:) I’ve been averaging about 4 times per week. 1/2 of a sports bottle of Gatoraide and the rest water after my work out. One sports bottle of Gatoraid lasts me two days.   Then before bed every night I am up to about 200 crunches. (big accomplishment for me) I also ride my bicycle 2 nights per week for cardio. 2 nights per week I ride my bike with my daughter…not fast enough to be considered cardio…just riding around the neighborhood. That’s my meal plan and exercise program …of course I do vary the menu up a bit but that’s an average day. — Sheli http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – congrats to you sheli! now how about sharing a sample menu, and your exercise program with us? — CLICK DAILY TO FEED THE HUNGRY United States: http://www.stopthehunger.com/ International: http://www.thehungersite.com/ : I worked out for many years. I’ve done step aerobics, weight training, lots : of cardio, etc. : : A couple of years ago I broke my ankle..actually it was a tib/fib break but : it happened from stepping on my son’s shoe. For most people it would have : just been  a twisted ankle. But for me it resulted in a spiral fracture on : one side of my lower leg, and on the other side a splinter fracture on the : other going up my leg from my ankle, which was also really messed up. They : did surgery the next day and I got a 7 inch plate as well as 13 screws in my : ankle and leg to put it back together. : : The doctor came in before the surgery after looking at the exray and said : that he’d never seen a break like this on anyone my age. Turns out I have : steroid induced osteoperosis. I’ve been on steroids for asthma since I’m 2 : years old. : : Well after the surgery I had a long road to recovery.  I couldn’t do my work : outs as I had in the past. I gained 40 lbs over the next year. Then another : 10 I think was out of sheer depression. : : Soooooooo I’ve started working out again and doing the lo-carb way of eating : at the end of April. : : I am proud to say I put on a pair of jeans today that I haven’t worn in 6 : months. They are a size 12. And not even tight. : : 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of size 14 jeans that were tight. I put them on : this morning before my size 12s and I could pull them off without even : unbuttoning them! : : I haven’t felt this good in two years! : : Just wanted to say thank you to this group because you have made it possible : to keep me going and the support here is wonderful. JC isn’t very supportive : but he does keep me laughing. : : Thanks guys for your ongoing support. : : : — : Sheli : http://www.yourinspection.com/shelispage.htm : http://www.soundclick.com/bands/6/shelianthony.htm : :

Response:

Question:

Walt, I do not want to start an argument here but the statement you’ve made about steroids being more dangerous than DMARDS has not and cannot be proven by any studies that apply across the general population. In my case. The opposite is true. We are all very different in our reactions to these meds and broad generalizations are inappropriate. johnie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether). Has anyone tried that? I actually don’t take much now (2 – 3 mg daily) but I still have the side-effects – round face, a bit swollen ankles (not joints), etc. Of course I used to take much much more cortisone before (not only tabletts, drips as well) and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much? I only take steroids when I absolutely have to, and never long term. The earliest name for DMARDS, things like MTX and Enbrel, was "steroid sparing agents."   The point of these drugs is to control the inflammation without the need for steroids, or at least to reduce that need.  You see, DMARDS are MUCH safer than steroids (they’re safer than NSAIDS too, but that’s another issue). As for tapering off steroids, it depends upon how long you have been on them and at how high a dose.  Most people who have been on them for any length of time have to taper very slowly, like 1mg every two weeks.  The longer you’ve been on them, the longer it takes to get off them. Now, the last part.  I only took steroids at the beginning of my disease, and for short periods since.  I’m still waiting for the weight to go off and the moon face to go away.  Sorry to be pessimistic. Walt — Walt Hanks, C.H.E.S. Conformity and uniformity are the twin mothers of mediocrity. Excellence is born of individuality and noncomformity.

Response:

Walt, I do not want to start an argument here but the statement you’ve made about steroids being more dangerous than DMARDS has not and cannot be proven

by any studies that apply across the general population. In my case. The opposite is true.< Thank you Johnnie.  I agree with you.  I’ve been on pred since 1994 continuously and have no problems with it.  Conversely, without it, I can’t get out of bed in the morning, much less take care of myself, so for me, it’s been a Godsend.  Like all meds, one needs to be educated about the drug and what it can and cannot do, but it is hardly the enemy. Anne AAC/AAF/AFBV62.0844.AZ http://www.tckworld.com/opfoot

Response:

Every medicine has side effects (life would be too beautiful without the side effects But also every organism is different. Example: I take only 10 mg MTX and I am loosing my hair really badly. My doctor said that appr. 1 patient in 50 looses hair after MTX , at least from her patients! Pf course I am talking about taking MTX for arthritis, not cancer. On the other hand, I have been taking non-steroids (doclofenac) for 10 years now and I don’t have any problems woth my stomach, athough I’ve suffered from anorexia for about 1,5 yr.

Response:

My doctor has advised me to take even more now, but I am really afraid to take more. I hate this medicine!

Many of us have a love/hate relationship with steroids.  So we know what you are going through. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

 and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much?

I’ve been weaning down and I’m at 1 mg every other day- close to getting clean I hope.  And my moon face is going away ( still have the little potbelly that makes everything fit weirdly).   However, when the moon face goes, what comes in its place? WRINKLES- all those Cynthia

Response:

The return line starts here! – - –

Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

I’m guessing this is one where everyone is different.  I have taken steroids for Asthma at a higher dose than most RA patients but usually for a much shorter time.  Every time I’ve taken them for more than a week, I’ve gained about 20 pounds.  Over the years that took me from 108 to over 250.  The first gain was the most severe, 108 to 160 in about 6 months.  The Asthma was very severe at that time and I started on a very high dose.  Some times I can lose some of the weight and sometimes not so much. But gain 20, lose ten, really adds up over the years.  And the times I’ve lost 40 or 50 I haven’t been able to keep it off. Now, I don’t usually gain so much while I’m on steroids.  I’m ravenous and eat a lot but also very wired and seem to burn it off.  The worst of the gain is when I cut down.  I still have the munchies, and no energy at all.  It feels like my metabolism comes to a full stop. The arthritis has been cruel in it has limited my ability to get enough exercise.  And when you hurt it is too easy to take comfort where you can get it – i.e. food. Shape is another matter.  Usually the Pred bursts were less than a month.  In 1990-1991 I had viral pneumonia and was on pred for nearly six months, starting with massive doses, getting down to 20mg a day for a while and then down to 5 for a while.  My shape changed dramatically, face, torso etc.  My face was so distorted it hurt, and it is the only time my shape has changed to where friends didn’t recognize me and I was asked "how far along" I was by a few people.  The shape changed back over about 4 months. — Jo Firey "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether). Has anyone tried that? I actually don’t take much now (2 – 3 mg daily) but I still have the side-effects – round face, a bit swollen ankles (not joints), etc. Of course I used to take much much more cortisone before (not only tabletts, drips as well) and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much?

Response:

I thought we were giving ‘em all to Rustboy these days…

Yeah, but he hasnt been around for a couple of days. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

Char

Or was it there Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

NO. I do believe we are in the minority but no moon face here after 15 years of pred.. Although, I am starting to get a little bit of a Buddha belly.g< johnie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have RA as well. My doctor can’t believe I have gained some weight, because I have always been very skinny and now just look "normal" But this round face… I was just wondering wheter everyone taking steroids has it…

Response:

Yep.  Had to take them for some really nasty immuno-toxic treatment recently (and for the after effects of the treatment) and when one of my doctors who was not involved in that part of my health care saw me next he commented right away and asked me if I was still on the prednisone…I asked him if my other doctors had contacted him….he said that they hadn’t, he could tell by the ‘moon face’ Ari

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have RA as well. My doctor can’t believe I have gained some weight, because I have always been very skinny and now just look "normal" But this round face… I was just wondering wheter everyone taking steroids has it…

Response:

Goodness you are almost over the limit, we have to act fast….Excuse me but we have a rule in this newsgroup: you are only allowed 3 diseases.  If you have than 3, then I am afraid you will have return one.  The return line starts here! – - –

I thought we were giving ‘em all to Rustboy these days… — Head Muso, White Rats Morris, Faultline Morris Member, Knights of Xenu (1995).  Chaos Monger and Jill of All Trades. "A head-on collision between Morticia Adams and Martha Stewart"

Response:

I don’t take steroids.  I am also diabetic and steroids really messes up my blood sugars.  We tried it once with my gout.  I also can’t take NSAIDs either.  I also have kidney failure and my nephrologist is trying to stave off  the inevitable. I do take colchicine and a lot of other pain medications that are metabolized by my liver.  Oh well

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether). Has anyone tried that? I actually don’t take much now (2 – 3 mg daily) but I still have the side-effects – round face, a bit swollen ankles (not joints), etc. Of course I used to take much much more cortisone before (not only tabletts, drips as well) and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much?

Response:

says…   I am also diabetic and steroids really messes up my blood sugars.  We tried it once with my gout.  I also can’t take NSAIDs either.  I also have kidney failure and my nephrologist is trying to stave off  the inevitable.

Goodness you are almost over the limit, we have to act fast….Excuse me but we have a rule in this newsgroup: you are only allowed 3 diseases.  If you have than 3, then I am afraid you will have return one.  The return line starts here! – - – — Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

Response:

I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether). Has anyone tried that? I actually don’t take much now (2 – 3 mg daily) but I still have the side-effects – round face, a bit swollen ankles (not joints), etc. Of course I used to take much much more cortisone before (not only tabletts, drips as well) and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much?

I have been off prednisone for years.  I only take it for a pulse, and I use it more conservatively than even my Dr recommends.  He has to talk me into using it.  The longest I have ever been on Prednisone is about 4 months.  I take Remicade and a huge dose of mtx, but it works without steroids or anti- inflammatory.  Occasionally I take vioxx.  The key is controlling the disease. — MZ — Visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com

Response:

I have RA as well. My doctor can’t believe I have gained some weight, because I have always been very skinny and now just look "normal" But this round face… I was just wondering wheter everyone taking steroids has it…

Response:

I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether). Has anyone tried that? I actually don’t take much now (2 – 3 mg daily) but I still have the side-effects – round face, a bit swollen ankles (not joints), etc. Of course I used to take much much more cortisone before (not only tabletts, drips as well) and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much?

I only take steroids when I absolutely have to, and never long term.   The earliest name for DMARDS, things like MTX and Enbrel, was "steroid sparing agents."   The point of these drugs is to control the inflammation without the need for steroids, or at least to reduce that need.  You see, DMARDS are MUCH safer than steroids (they’re safer than NSAIDS too, but that’s another issue). As for tapering off steroids, it depends upon how long you have been on them and at how high a dose.  Most people who have been on them for any length of time have to taper very slowly, like 1mg every two weeks.  The longer you’ve been on them, the longer it takes to get off them. Now, the last part.  I only took steroids at the beginning of my disease, and for short periods since.  I’m still waiting for the weight to go off and the moon face to go away.  Sorry to be pessimistic. Walt — Walt Hanks, C.H.E.S. Conformity and uniformity are the twin mothers of mediocrity. Excellence is born of individuality and noncomformity.

Response:

I have RA as well. My doctor can’t believe I have gained some weight, because I have always been very skinny and now just look "normal" But this round face… I was just wondering wheter everyone taking steroids has it…

No, not everyone gets the round face, especially if they are on very low doses. I was on prednisone for about 7 years but after starting Remicade was able to wean myself off of it.  That took about 2 years — with, surprisingly, the worst part being the drop from 2 mg to nothing.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have RA as well. My doctor can’t believe I have gained some weight, because I have always been very skinny and now just look "normal" But this round face… I was just wondering wheter everyone taking steroids has it… No, not everyone gets the round face, especially if they are on very low doses. I was on prednisone for about 7 years but after starting Remicade was able to wean myself off of it.  That took about 2 years — with, surprisingly, the worst part being the drop from 2 mg to nothing.

P.S.  I forgot to add that at your age, you need to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions.  At my age, I figured it didn’t matter any more!  :) Judith

Response:

It is definitely one of the side effects. Remember seeing Jerry Lewis during his telethon this year? Saw him the day before being interviewed. The sound was muted on the TV at the time and I remember saying "I don’t know who that man is, but he is one prednisone". I had avoided the round face until this last winter when I was bumped to 80mg just before eye surgery. I still have it although it seems to be lessening and I am now on 6mg and holding during this flare of the body [eye is holding in good shape thank heavens!]. Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Organization: T-Online Newsgroups: alt.support.arthritis I have RA as well. My doctor can’t believe I have gained some weight, because I have always been very skinny and now just look "normal" But this round face… I was just wondering wheter everyone taking steroids has it…

Response:

Thanx for the respond. I don’t take much – 3 or 4 mg a day. I’ve been taking steroides for, let’s say, about 4 years now (wothout any breaks). I have been lowering the dosis for appr. last 2,5 years (about 4 years ago I was taking 15 mg!). But since my RA has wersened lately, there is no way I could keep lowering the dosis now. My doctor has advised me to take even more now, but I am really afraid to take more. I hate this medicine! agata

Response:

I’ve been on steriods for at least 4 years, can’t remember for sure when I started them. I’ve mostly been on 5ngs, tho I have been higher at times. I have the moon face and humpback. In fact, I look like someone who has been on much higher doses for a long time. Luckily my bone density is normal. I do take extra calcuim and D to help keep it normal. I have tried to wean off several times. The last time I lowered my dose, my RA which had been in decent control attacked my glands so back up I went. Unless a bigger miracle than Kineret comes along I think I’ll be on pred forever. I am not thrilled about that fact, but it does allow me to function so I don’t complain too much. Fat and functioning is alot better than skinny and in a wheelchair. ~KJ Akron, Ohio http://arthritisinsight.com Knowledge is power…support is essential. Tina’s Togs http://tinastogs.com Quality Plus Size and Vintage Fashions Coming soon to a puter near you!

Response:

I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether).

They are a good adjunct to use with other drugs but at the lowest dose for shortest possible time.  They have their own set of problems. I didnt take steroids until  about the last 6 or 8 months, when my PA has progressed to the point that the DMARDS I am on, just dont do enough anymore. I take 5 mg. daily.  I am much happier when I am on 10 mgs of pred, but my RD will only allow to take that much for a very short time. Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether). Has anyone tried that? I actually don’t take much now (2 – 3 mg daily) but I still have the side-effects – round face, a bit swollen ankles (not joints), etc. Of course I used to take much much more cortisone before (not only tabletts, drips as well) and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much?

Response:

With the exception of a prednisone burst during the Enbrel shortage, I have been off steroids for almost two years. I take only Enbrel and occasionally Arthrotech for minor breakthrough pain. By the way, I have RA. Not sure what type you have. As far as the weight, I didn’t have a real provblem with it because I was on a fairly low dose for only 7 months or so. Good luck. — Rebecca Ford

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know that steroids are necessary medicines by arthritis, but I met someone who had been lowering the dosis until she dind’t have to take them at all (of course it took about 2 years altogether). Has anyone tried that? I actually don’t take much now (2 – 3 mg daily) but I still have the side-effects – round face, a bit swollen ankles (not joints), etc. Of course I used to take much much more cortisone before (not only tabletts, drips as well) and my question is: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COME BACK TO ONE’S OWN ’shape’ after having lowered the dosis so much?

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Question:

Here is a kind of new and interesting treatment for Crohn’s disease– http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/11/021111070012.htm I guess it isn’t approved yet, although the drug itself is approved for support in chemotherapy.

Actually, teh Crohn’s is the diagnosis du jour. I’ve had many, and if it is Crohn’s, it’s mild thanks be. If my non-diabetic kidney disease worsens, I will be having chemotherapy for that, I think cyclosporine is the agent used. See– I am wondering what the effect leukine would have in Type 1 diabetes!! It has an etiology similar to Crohn’s (Th1 cytokines).   Well, I just thought you would be interested.  I don’t think your fever has anything to do with diabetes.

Thanks, and I think you’re right – I just tend to blame it for everything, including bad hair days. It’s probably related to the *other* funky things going on with me.

Response:

Here is a kind of new and interesting treatment for Crohn’s disease– http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/11/021111070012.htm I guess it isn’t approved yet, although the drug itself is approved for support in chemotherapy. See– I am wondering what the effect leukine would have in Type 1 diabetes!! It has an etiology similar to Crohn’s (Th1 cytokines).   Well, I just thought you would be interested.  I don’t think your fever has anything to do with diabetes. BL

Response:

that usually lasts about 24-36 hours. Is this a feature of diabetes (T2)? No.

One thing I can’t blame on diabetes. I didn’t think so, but didn’t know for sure. disease and very early diabetic nephropathy, in addition to some other things, such as Crohn’s disease. My HbA1c has been 6 since 6 months after diagnosis. You might wander over to alt.support.arthritis and lurk a bit. There are more kinds of arthritis than there are of T2 diabetes, and some of them have some fairly unexpected symptom complexes.

Thanks. I have had several negative ANAs (and the kidney biopsy backs that up) but I am positive for RF, and that may be where the answer lies.

Response:

If I do anything mildly strenuous, such as doing laundry, some shopping and taking out a few bags of trash in the same day, by that evening I am exhausted and running a high fever (usually over 103) with painful joints that usually lasts about 24-36 hours. Is this a feature of diabetes (T2)? I am a T2, diagnosed 2.5 years ago after a heavy course of steroids for asthma. I take Tolinase and Actos. I also have advanced non-diabetic kidney disease and very early diabetic nephropathy, in addition to some other things, such as Crohn’s disease. My HbA1c has been 6 since 6 months after diagnosis.

Response:

If I do anything mildly strenuous, such as doing laundry, some shopping and taking out a few bags of trash in the same day, by that evening I am exhausted and running a high fever (usually over 103) with painful joints that usually lasts about 24-36 hours. Is this a feature of diabetes (T2)?

No. I am a T2, diagnosed 2.5 years ago after a heavy course of steroids for asthma. I take Tolinase and Actos. I also have advanced non-diabetic kidney disease and very early diabetic nephropathy, in addition to some other things, such as Crohn’s disease. My HbA1c has been 6 since 6 months after diagnosis.

You might wander over to alt.support.arthritis and lurk a bit. There are more kinds of arthritis than there are of T2 diabetes, and some of them have some fairly unexpected symptom complexes. — AF

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Question:

This is where that Idea may have started. It seems that they want to make midrin a controlled substance and put  MIDRIN INTO DEA SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATUS. Doing this may make it harder to get and make all who seek this drug appear to be addicted. 01      201910Z  Jul  01  PP  PP  UUUU         AA  ZYUW FROM QUAD SERVICE MMQC FT DETRICK MD//USAMMA/AFMLO/NMLC// TO 7485 7486 7487 7488 9344 9345 AIG FOUR EIGHT EIGHT AIG ONE ONE THREE SEVEN ZERO AIG SEVEN SEVEN EIGHT THREE UNCLAS SUBJ: DOD-MMQC-01-1210 UPCOMING PLACEMENT OF DICHLORALPHENAZONE (MIDRIN) INTO DEA SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATUS/INFORMATION BULLETIN REF: DOD-MMQC-00-1435; DOD-MMQC-00-1351 AND DOD-MMQC-01-1032 01.  THE PURPOSE OF THIS MSG IS TO UPDATE REF MSGS ON THE PLACEMENT OF MIDRIN INTO DEA SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATUS. 02.  DSCP POC, MAJ MIKE CARTER, REPORTS THAT NO FINAL RULING HAS BEEN ISSUED.  DSCP HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH DEA AND HAVE ADVISED THAT DEA HAS REQUESTED THAT THIS RULING BE EXPEDITED. 03.  IN THE INTERIM, MIDRIN IS NOT A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND DOES NOT REQUIRE HANDLERS TO CONFORM TO SCHEDULE IV REGULATORY CONTROLS AT THIS TIME. PRIOR REPORTS FROM THE FIELD INDICATED THAT SOME MFRS ARE ALREADY LABELING THEIR DICHLORALPHENAZONE AND DICHLORALPHENAZONE-CONTAINING PRODUCTS AS "C-IV." THIS IS A PRELIMINARY ACTION ON THE PART OF SOME MFRS IN EXPECTATION OF THE UPCOMING OFFICIAL CLASSIFICATION. 04. A DOD-MMQC MESSAGE WILL ISSUE UPON NOTIFICATION THAT MIDRIN HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY PLACED ON DEA’S SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE LIST. 05. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT DSCP POC MAJ MIKE CARTER AT 06.  AIR FORCE: SEE AFMAN 23-110, VOL 5, FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS. FOR MAJCOMS & NGB–THIS MSG HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED TO ALL DESIGNATED SUBORDINATE MEDICAL ACTIVITIES IAW AFMAN 23-110, VOL 5, CHAP 19. 07.  PASS MSG TO MEDICAL LOG OFCRS, CMD CHANNELS, PHARMACY, MED STAFF SECTIONS, SUPPLY OFCRS, AND SUPPORTED ACTYS/CTRS. 08.  SVC SPECIFIC POCS ARE AS FOLS (FAX NOS. ARE AVAILABLE 24 HRS); ARMY: TERESA BESS, 301-619-4306/2045, DSN: 343, FAX 2938, E-MAIL: USAMMCE: HORST WERNER, COM: 011-49-6331-86-7118/7181, DSN 495, FAX 6218, AIR FORCE: BONNIE PHILLIPS, 301-619-4170, DSN: 343, FAX 6842, E-MAIL: NAVY: HUGH WIESMAN, 301-619-3088, DSN: 343, FAX 3087, E-MAIL: [ Top of Page ]

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone hear anything about Midrin not being manufactured anymore? A co-worker told me this today but I can’t find anything on the Internet about it – figured the migraine group would surely know. Thanks, Debbie

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Why would Midrin be considered a controlled substance? xyx This is where that Idea may have started. It seems that they want to make midrin a controlled substance and put  MIDRIN INTO DEA SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATUS. Doing this may make it harder to get and make all who seek this drug appear to be addicted.

<snipped lots of stuff

Response:

xyx asks: Why would Midrin be considered a controlled substance?

Many prescription drugs are "controlled substances."  That just means the US government tries to regulate who can sell them (pharmacists) and how much anyone can buy (limited amounts with a specific doctor’s prescription.)  The US government does not make reliably good decisions about drug policy.  It is easily influenced by political hysteria and various kinds of bribery.  "Why?" did they do X doesn’t always have much to do with X. Different drugs are listed on different "schedules," according to how tightly the DEA wants to control them. Schedule I is very tightly controlled (not allowed for any patient use at all), for drugs that the government disapproves of very strongly.  Things like marijuana. Schedule II is tightly controlled (special prescription forms, no refills, strict time limits), used for drugs that the DEA considers useful but susceptible to abuse.   Things like morphine. Schedule III, IV, and V all use ordinary presciption controls.  The doctor can phone the pharmacy or fax over the prescription.  The prescription can be refilled within some legally specified time.  The pharmacy has to keep records of what they sold to whom…but they are required to do that for all drugs anyhow.  It doesn’t make a big difference if a drug is schedule III or schedule V. Schedule III includes steroids for asthma, low-dose painkillers with acetominophen (like tylenol with coedine, or vicodin). Schedule IV includes sedatives like valium, and muscle relaxants. One of the ingredients in Midrin is a mild sedative, and that may be why they want to regulate it like the other sedatives. Schedule V includes baby cough medicines and anti-diarrheals. This is where that Idea may have started. It seems that they want to make midrin a controlled substance and put  MIDRIN INTO DEA SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATUS. Doing this may make it harder to get and make all who seek this drug appear to be addicted.

If the DEA puts a drug on schedule I, that makes it illegal. If they put it on schedule II, that makes it harder to get and makes people who use it appear to be addicted.   I don’t think schedule IV is really a big deal.   Adrian Turtle sidewalk radical

Response:

I hope that is a bad rumor. None of the new drugs do a thing for my headaches. I guess the drug companys dont make money from that drug anymore.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone hear anything about Midrin not being manufactured anymore? A co-worker told me this today but I can’t find anything on the Internet about it – figured the migraine group would surely know. Thanks, Debbie

Response:

Debbie: Anyone hear anything about Midrin not being manufactured anymore? A co-worker told me this today but I can’t find anything on the Internet about it – figured the migraine group would surely know.

Generic Midrin is called "duradrin," and may still be available, even if you can’t find the brand-name stuff.  Newer migraine meds (like triptans) are effective for more patients, and cost much, much more, so of course the pharmaceutical companies prefer to sell them.  If Midrin works for you and other meds don’t, your pharmacy may still be able to order it for you, with some advance notice.   If worse comes to worst, and none of the drug companies is making anything like Midrin anymore, and none of the other drugs work as well for you, you will have to look for a "compounding pharmacist." This is a special kind of pharmacist that *makes* pills, according to a doctor’s prescription, rather than just counting out pills made by drug companies.  If your doctor doesn’t know where to find one, call the biggest hospital in town and ask them. Adrian Turtle sidewalk radical

Response:

Anyone hear anything about Midrin not being manufactured anymore? A co-worker told me this today but I can’t find anything on the Internet about it – figured the migraine group would surely know. Thanks, Debbie

Response:

I just got a refill of the generic last night…Migquin…my insurance wont pay for the name brand if a generic is available so i never ask for it…I also go my fioricet refilled and it has two different tablets in the bottle..a white and a blue…the Pharmacist said they were running out of that but expected a shipment on Monday.  He said both were the same stuff though. Chris

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That is what I take is Duradin, which is the generic of Midrin and Duradin is still available. Barbara Booth

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Another of the generics is Duradin. Teri

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have always gotten the generic form of Midrin it is called Migrazone and I just got some, to I don’t think Midrin has been discontinued. Barbara Booth

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Midrin also comes in generic form….doubt this will become unavailable… rb

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I have always gotten the generic form of Midrin it is called Migrazone and I just got some, to I don’t think Midrin has been discontinued. Barbara Booth

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I think you may be right, Teri. I just came back from taking my daughter (Midrin is her life-saver) to her doctor and he had not heard anything about it, but did comment that it is such an inexpensive drug, that he would NOT be surprised and that many of his favorite older drugs are being d/c’d. He also wrote a larger than usual prescription to last quite awhile "just in case". Debbie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t see how Midrin would be discontinued. The company is still doing lots of advertising in professional journals. Teri

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I don’t see how Midrin would be discontinued. The company is still doing lots of advertising in professional journals. Teri

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone hear anything about Midrin not being manufactured anymore? A co-worker told me this today but I can’t find anything on the Internet about it – figured the migraine group would surely know. Thanks, Debbie

Response:

Thanks. That clears up a lot of questions. Very insightful. xyx (left whole post for those who may have missed do to some news servers) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – xyx asks: Why would Midrin be considered a controlled substance? Many prescription drugs are "controlled substances."  That just means the US government tries to regulate who can sell them (pharmacists) and how much anyone can buy (limited amounts with a specific doctor’s prescription.)  The US government does not make reliably good decisions about drug policy.  It is easily influenced by political hysteria and various kinds of bribery.  "Why?" did they do X doesn’t always have much to do with X. Different drugs are listed on different "schedules," according to how tightly the DEA wants to control them. Schedule I is very tightly controlled (not allowed for any patient use at all), for drugs that the government disapproves of very strongly.  Things like marijuana. Schedule II is tightly controlled (special prescription forms, no refills, strict time limits), used for drugs that the DEA considers useful but susceptible to abuse. Things like morphine. Schedule III, IV, and V all use ordinary presciption controls.  The doctor can phone the pharmacy or fax over the prescription.  The prescription can be refilled within some legally specified time.  The pharmacy has to keep records of what they sold to whom…but they are required to do that for all drugs anyhow.  It doesn’t make a big difference if a drug is schedule III or schedule V. Schedule III includes steroids for asthma, low-dose painkillers with acetominophen (like tylenol with coedine, or vicodin). Schedule IV includes sedatives like valium, and muscle relaxants. One of the ingredients in Midrin is a mild sedative, and that may be why they want to regulate it like the other sedatives. Schedule V includes baby cough medicines and anti-diarrheals. This is where that Idea may have started. It seems that they want to make midrin a controlled substance and put  MIDRIN INTO DEA SCHEDULE IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE STATUS. Doing this may make it harder to get and make all who seek this drug appear to be addicted. If the DEA puts a drug on schedule I, that makes it illegal. If they put it on schedule II, that makes it harder to get and makes people who use it appear to be addicted.   I don’t think schedule IV is really a big deal. Adrian Turtle sidewalk radical

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It seems I have developed glaucoma in one eye. Any one ever hear of this as a complication of diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or medications? I’m still on labetolol for the blood pressure and some other medications.  Is glaucoma a feature of medications, blood pressure or otherwise?        Diabetes is a risk factor for glaucoma.  Low systemic blood pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma.  I found one cite on Medline that said preeclampsia can cause vasospasms which may contribute to glaucoma.  Beta blockers (like labetolol), on the other hand, are sometimes used to help lower intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma.        I don’t know if this helps, but this is what I was able to find!   Best wishes, Ericka

I have glaucoma in both eyes that was brought on by steroids.  It is under control with daily eye drops – but when I had a cataract surgery, I had to be checked every 3 hours for pressure spikes when I used post operative topical steroids.   I occasionally get pressure spikes when one doctor will prescribe a systemic steroid without discussing with my opthalmologist (sp?).

Response:

Thanks! I will remember this. do you know if inhaled steroids for asthma also bothers glaucoma? Esther

Response:

Thanks! I will remember this. do you know if inhaled steroids for asthma also bothers glaucoma? Esther

The primary reason for using expensive inhalers instead of cheap prednisone tablets is that the effect is pretty much limited to the lungs, rather than affecting the entire body. That being said, the lungs work by creating intimate contact between your blood and what you are breathing. You *will* have some effect from the inhaler, but cross your fingers, it ought to be a tolerable level. You probably want to discuss this with your doctor the next time you see him. He’s more familiar with your lungs and your eyes than anyone here is, and presumably more capable of advising you on your *particular* circumstances. deke

Response:

Thanks! I will remember this. do you know if inhaled steroids for asthma also bothers glaucoma? Esther

For me, it has no effect that I can discern.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : It seems I have developed glaucoma in one eye. : Any one ever hear of this as a complication of : diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or medications? Not glaucome, but generally microvascular diseases of the eye are a very common complication of diabetes. You should be testing not only blood sugar, but a blood component called HGC1A.  8% is considered way high, 7% borderline, and 6% good.  If you or your doc don’t know this number, you should. Larry

4.6 a few weeks ago my blood glucose varies from 70 to 170 mg/dl, but mainly is in the non-diabetic range as proven by a1c of 4.6 thanks eap

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The way I read it Glaucoma is more common in people with Diabetes, though not caused by it. The causes are not known, though there may be a genetic link. –LisaBell Mom to Gabriella (2.11) and Michaela (17 months)

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I shouldn’t ask .. but the doc didn’t give you iron did he ..? Preclampsia was/is to be treated/cured with vitamin E .. as per Dr. Shutes decades of work with this antioxidant. Gestational diabetes is common in pregnancy ..

This "iron is the problem with everything" was amusing at one time but as others have said – get some help! Do you want to be known as (one of) the resident wacko(s)? Are you purposely misleading people? These people have real, serious, health problems and you are _not_ helping them one bit. — Bob Visit my information & link page at (New URL) http://twilight.webbernet.net/~gooteebob news.newusers.questions Moderation Team Worker

Response:

With all the variables involved, maybe you would be better off consulting an opthalmologist, who would (I hope) have a better understanding of all the medical problems and interactions. bj

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As many of you know, I had a very difficult third pregnancy with pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. At the delivery, I lost my vision for a while, but apparently didn’t have a stroke. Since Baby’s birth (now 5.5 months), my vision had changed tremendously, and I have been finding it very difficult to drive and sew (HORRORS!). I couldn’t get an appointment with my regular optometrist, and I needed to rectify the can’t-drive vision problem very quickly. So I went to a convenience optometrist. It seems I have developed glaucoma in one eye. Any one ever hear of this as a complication of diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or medications? I’m still on labetolol for the blood pressure and some other medications.  Is glaucoma a feature of medications, blood pressure or otherwise? The blood sugar is still all over the board, but mainly in the non-diabetic range. The blood pressure is in the normal range, with medication, but I’m still swelling a lot. Thanks for any ideas you might have. Esther

Response:

It seems I have developed glaucoma in one eye.

Oh Esther, I’m so sorry to hear this!  Both my Dad and my Grandma have glaucome and it isn’t fun.  Hope that an ophthalmologist can help you more than the optometrist. — Chookie Sydney, Australia Mr Prosser… would have a nice little cottage at point D, with axes over the door… His wife of course wanted climbing roses, but he wanted axes. — Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Response:

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

Smoke lots of pot? Just kidding.  I don’t have any suggestions for you, but I do hope that you get everything worked out soon so we can keep talking about sewing. — Meghan Mom to Tristan (12/6/88) and Killian (7/18/00) Check out Killian’s website at http://www.allaboutkillian.com

Response:

 Any one ever hear of this as a complication of diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or medications? I’m still on labetolol for the blood pressure and some other medications.  Is glaucoma a feature of medications, blood pressure or otherwise?

I had always thought it was inherited but here are the risk factors the Glaucoma Foundation lists: *    someone in your family has a history of glaucoma *    you have abnormally high intraocular pressure *    you are of African descent *    you have diabetes *    myopia (nearsighted) *    regular, long-term steroid/cortisone use *    previous eye injury K-

Response:

As many of you know, I had a very difficult third pregnancy with pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.

I shouldn’t ask .. but the doc didn’t give you iron did he ..? Preclampsia was/is to be treated/cured with vitamin E .. as per Dr. Shutes decades of work with this antioxidant. Gestational diabetes is common in pregnancy ..    Diabet Med 2001 Mar;18(3):218-23 Gestational diabetes mellitus in the last trimester – a feature of maternal iron excess?     Lao TT, Chan PL, Tam KF    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong,    Tsan Yuk Hospital, Hong Kong, PRC.    [Medline record in process]    AIM: To determine whether non-anaemic women with gestational diabetes    mellitus (GDM) diagnosed in third trimester pregnancy have evidence of    increased iron stores compared with matched non-diabetic controls.    METHODS: In a prospective study, women who had antenatal booking    before 20 weeks’ gestation and without anaemia or diabetes mellitus    were recruited at the time of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)    at 28-31 weeks’ gestation for the study of serum ferritin, iron and    transferrin concentrations. The results were blinded to the managing    obstetricians. After delivery, the records were reviewed. The cases    diagnosed as GDM were compared with a control group (two controls for    each index case matched for parity) selected at random from the    at-risk but nondiabetic cases. RESULTS: GDM was diagnosed in 97 of the    401 women recruited. Compared with the 194 controls, there was no    difference in the weight, body mass index, booking and third trimester    haemoglobin, or third trimester red cell indices, but concentrations    of serum ferritin, iron, transferrin saturation, and the post-natal    haemoglobin were significantly higher. On multiple regression    analysis, maternal BMI and the log-transformed ferritin concentration    remained significant determinants of the OGTT 2-h glucose value.    CONCLUSION: The results suggest an association between increased iron    stores and glucose intolerance at the third trimester in non-anaemic    women. The role of iron excess in the pathogenesis of GDM needs to be    examined.    PMID: 11318843, UI: 21218834 Type in iron and glaucoma into the search engines .. Who loves ya. Tom — Jesus was a Vegetarian! http://www.nucleus.com/watchman Moses was a Mystic! http://www.nucleus.com/watchman/light.html

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Nope. No anemia. No iron. The diabetes hit me at least as early as 5 weeks of pregnancy. By the time my insurance company sent me my meter (at 5 weeks), I was already running diabetic numbers. So, I didn’t get GDM in third trimester, never had supplemental iron, and didn’t have anemia. Thanks, though.   Esther – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As many of you know, I had a very difficult third pregnancy with pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. I shouldn’t ask .. but the doc didn’t give you iron did he ..? Preclampsia was/is to be treated/cured with vitamin E .. as per Dr. Shutes decades of work with this antioxidant. Gestational diabetes is common in pregnancy ..

Response:

It seems I have developed glaucoma in one eye. Any one ever hear of this as a complication of diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or medications? I’m still on labetolol for the blood pressure and some other medications.  Is glaucoma a feature of medications, blood pressure or otherwise?

        Diabetes is a risk factor for glaucoma.  Low systemic blood pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma.  I found one cite on Medline that said preeclampsia can cause vasospasms which may contribute to glaucoma.  Beta blockers (like labetolol), on the other hand, are sometimes used to help lower intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma.         I don’t know if this helps, but this is what I was able to find!   Best wishes, Ericka — The return address on this message works, but it goes to an account I weed out only on occasion.  To send me email, send to my first name dot my last name at home dot com and watch the spelling

Response:

: It seems I have developed glaucoma in one eye. : Any one ever hear of this as a complication of : diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or medications? Not glaucome, but generally microvascular diseases of the eye are a very common complication of diabetes. You should be testing not only blood sugar, but a blood component called HGC1A.  8% is considered way high, 7% borderline, and 6% good.  If you or your doc don’t know this number, you should. Larry

Response:

As many of you know, I had a very difficult third pregnancy with pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. At the delivery, I lost my vision for a while, but apparently didn’t have a stroke. Since Baby’s birth (now 5.5 months), my vision had changed tremendously, and I have been finding it very difficult to drive and sew (HORRORS!). I couldn’t get an appointment with my regular optometrist, and I needed to rectify the can’t-drive vision problem very quickly. So I went to a convenience optometrist. It seems I have developed glaucoma in one eye. Any one ever hear of this as a complication of diabetes, pre-eclampsia, or medications? I’m still on labetolol for the blood pressure and some other medications.  Is glaucoma a feature of medications, blood pressure or otherwise? The blood sugar is still all over the board, but mainly in the non-diabetic range. The blood pressure is in the normal range, with medication, but I’m still swelling a lot. Thanks for any ideas you might have. Esther

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Question:

Susan….. I just wanted to say PLEASE don’t leave……I’m more of a lurker than poster but this past week I haven’t seen (or been getting) the usual number of posts……I don’t know if everyone is gone on vacation or just to ill to respond, but I do think that when some of the people receiving Remicade do read your posts that they’ll try to compare symptoms with you…..I know that you need someone to talk with so please give the group a little more time…..I’m certain that you haven’t been ignored……You can always e-mail me if you’d like….I’m a very good listener….. Cheryl A smile is a curved line that sets things straight…….  

Response:

Sue- I, too, feel as if I have missed something.  I would have replied if I felt I could have been of help to you. You’ve been here off and on for quite a while, and I hope that you don’t feel the need to leave. Be well- Tracy CD class of ‘98 my homepage: http://home.talkcity.com/ParadiseDr/goodboie/index.html  : )  smile – it makes people wonder what you’re up to!

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Ditto. Maybe Sue got some offensive email and is confusing it with posts to the ng? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ok I must be losing a sh*t load of posts because I didn’t see anything offencive or anyone attacking you. Did you not get the amount of replies you thought you should. I had no info to give you so I stayed out of the thread. I don’t think anyone here treats anyone as as outsider (execpt SPAMMERS & Trolls) but you are not in that catagory at all. Mike I am sorry if this post has offended anyone… I hurt like the rest of you. I am just trying to find answers and piece togather what had been my life. I guess if we our a support group I do not understand why I am consistantly being treated as an outsider. I talk to some of you privately of the Hell I am going through. I feel in some was this group has clicqueish ties. So if you prefer I do not post here anymore (please someone go in and shut off these last two posts and will take that as a sign and move on…) I have tried to shut down the first post with no avail. PLEASE SHUT DOWN MY POSTS and GOODBYE.            Thanks; Susan

Response:

One of the problems here is that so few of us have actually used Remicade that there are few with experiences to compare. The bruising seems to accompany any immunosuppressant, like prednisone or other steroids. it even accompanies inhaled steroids for asthma. I have noticed a thinning of the skin as well, but since I don’t use Remicade, and have UC, rather than Crohn’s, it is hard to suggest where a connection might be, perhaps part of the autoimmune problems? I have asthma, in addition to the UC, so that is another autoimmune disease with me as well. Boyd — "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." (Ellen Parr- author) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For those  of us desparate  or lucky enough to be the test pilots for this drug do you experience some of these effects? Let us compare notes.During the infusions which I have been taking since 2000 I have noticed some of these peripheral responses. I am  a itcher so they also give me Benydryl; but where the injection site is I bruise really badly. Infact it will stay bruised looking for three to four weeks? I also have noticed that my skin is becoming transparent looking.  Not just with my arms and legs all over?You can see veins, muscle patterns even bones seem prommient. I usually only stay in a "quality’"  remission for perhaps 4-6 weeks then it is like everything returns to same old "sh*t" (pun intended). I am staying out of the hospital which is good. Other than these costly "special procedures" as they wish to call them $4000. later. I used to take Methotrexate; but I stopped that in March. I could not afford to continue being sick from it…  I have Crohns in my ileum, cecum and esophagus; Right now it is very difficult to swallow cause of the inflamation. I have other Auto Immune diseases is this a pattern for anyone else? SLE Lupus, three kinds of Arthritis Rheumatoid, Psioratic and thanks to Prednisone Osteo. The effect of the MTX beyond my hair falling out which can also be attributed to the Lupus and the malabsorbtion of the Crohn was that my muscle mass has shrunk. I am really working to regain that too. I am getting a little leary about immune suppressants especially after reading a Reuters statement on Yahoo. I kept trying to bring it up but cannot figure out why it would not mail? I found it on ArthritisInsight. Well tomorrow I am a test pilot again, mission number 8 . Take Care everyone and let us see if we have some similiar side effects? Thanks in advance; Susan

Response:

Sue,     Your posts are certainly not offensive. I actually re-read everything in this thread, and cannot see what you are referring to. We certainly welcome you, and want to help. Please stay around. Perhaps this misunderstanding will be straightened out, and we can be of help. (((SUE))) Boyd — "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." (Ellen Parr- author) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am sorry if this post has offended anyone… I hurt like the rest of you. I am just trying to find answers and piece togather what had been my life. I guess if we our a support group I do not understand why I am consistantly being treated as an outsider. I talk to some of you privately of the Hell I am going through. I feel in some was this group has clicqueish ties. So if you prefer I do not post here anymore (please someone go in and shut off these last two posts and will take that as a sign and move on…) I have tried to shut down the first post with no avail. PLEASE SHUT DOWN MY POSTS and GOODBYE.            Thanks; Susan

Response:

RE: Re: Remicade Eight sounds like a bad  Sci-FI… I am sorry if this post has offended anyone… I hurt like the rest of you. I am just trying to find answers and piece togather what had been my life. I guess if we our a support group I do not understand why I am consistantly being treated as an outsider. I talk to some of you

- I am sorry if you feel this way.  I ran back through this thread and I can’t see where anyone said they were offended… nor does it look like you are an outsider.  I saw a comparrison and a question, and a long response post… am I missing something? – privately of the Hell I am going through. I feel in some was this group has clicqueish ties. So if you prefer I do not post here anymore (please

- *Any* group of people will end up with some forming smaller groups… But that in no way means that you won;t be accepted… – someone go in and shut off these last two posts and will take that as a sign and move on…) I have tried to shut down the first post with no avail. PLEASE SHUT DOWN MY POSTS and GOODBYE.            Thanks; Susan

- I don’t think anyone can shut down your posts… – I don’t know why you feel like you are an outsider, nor can I figure out who you might have offended.  Unless I have missed something, no one has been offended by you… and in this group, it would be difficult to offend anyone anyway.  Please don’t go…. – – Origin: The Wild Wild West * 503-623-0185

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Sue, I also haven’t seen anything going on.  I’m afraid I’m not sure what you’re saying.  We all care very much about each other and try our best to comfort and/or give advice.  Please don’t feel that way. Hugs,  Linda – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok I must be losing a sh*t load of posts because I didn’t see anything offencive or anyone attacking you. Did you not get the amount of replies you thought you should. I had no info to give you so I stayed out of the thread. I don’t think anyone here treats anyone as as outsider (execpt SPAMMERS & Trolls) but you are not in that catagory at all. Mike I am sorry if this post has offended anyone… I hurt like the rest of you. I am just trying to find answers and piece togather what had been my life. I guess if we our a support group I do not understand why I am consistantly being treated as an outsider. I talk to some of you privately of the Hell I am going through. I feel in some was this group has clicqueish ties. So if you prefer I do not post here anymore (please someone go in and shut off these last two posts and will take that as a sign and move on…) I have tried to shut down the first post with no avail. PLEASE SHUT DOWN MY POSTS and GOODBYE.            Thanks; Susan Please Visit www.ibdcure.com and sign the petition for an IBD postage stamp. All opinions expressed are mine unless otherwise noted. Copyright

Question:

Dr. Work:  I hope you can help me understand this.  I fell very hard about six months ago and landed on the edge of a step on my gluteal region.  At the time, I was thankful that I hadn’t landed on my lower back.  However, I have had pain in my buttock, down my leg and into the bottom of my foot since.  I finally got to a pain management doctor, had x-rays done to rule out tailbone misalignment.  This was negative.  She suspected severe soft tissue injury and possibly a hematoma that had not reabsorbed.  She prescribed pain medicine for me, which did help but did not completely take the pain away.  Finally had MRI done, and this is what it said.  "At L5-S1, there is a small central protrusion of the disc, probably with annular tear which mildly impinges on the ventral aspect of the dural sac."  Also mild to moderate hypertrophic degenerative disc changes involving the facet joints of both L4-5 and L5-S1 which do not produce significant foraminal or central stenosis.  I figure this last part is just normal changes from aging.   My question is could the disc protrusion be causing this pain I have?  Also, what is an annular tear and why does it say PROBABLY?  My last visit with this pain doc was not a good one.  She seemed preoccupied and really didn’t answer all my questions.  She prescribed a Medrol Dospak and said this steroid would reduce the swelling and then I would be fine.  Does this sound right?  I have always been an active person, but since this injury I have not been able to exercise like I used to.  I am very depressed about all of this.   Any help from anyone would be appreciated. Kathy

Response:

Some of what you describe I can help you with and the rest you will have to go to someone who is much smarter than I am. 1. Steroids are used to reduce inflammation and swelling, so the prescribing of that by your pain doc was appropriate. 2. An annular tear is one where a portion of the disc is torn by some mechanism, most likely trauma (like your fall). 3. According to the results, there was no significant foraminal or central stenosis.  Foraminal stenosis would cause a pinching of the nerves that enter and leave your spinal cord.  The central canal is one where your spinal cord resides.  Your spinal cord actually ends at about L1-2 and the remaining nerves come down from the end (conus) in what looks like a horse’s tail (cauda equina). 4. Your pain sounds (educated wild-ass guess that needs to be confirmed by an actual physical exam) like an S1 radicular pain.  Even if I have the level wrong, it does sound radicular, meaning that it is coming actually from a pinching of a nerve in your spine and not from your leg itself.  A catchall diagnosis would be "lumbosacral radiculitis". 5. The way this is normally treated would be to try with steroids to reduce the inflammation and swelling, consider the option of surgery if something could be found to fix, and if not, then chronic pain medications. — Bill Work This communication is intended to provide general information, and in no way is a substitute for face-to-face medical care.  No implication of a doctor-patient relationship should be assumed by the reader.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dr. Work:  I hope you can help me understand this.  I fell very hard about six months ago and landed on the edge of a step on my gluteal region.  At the time, I was thankful that I hadn’t landed on my lower back.  However, I have had pain in my buttock, down my leg and into the bottom of my foot since.  I finally got to a pain management doctor, had x-rays done to rule out tailbone misalignment.  This was negative.  She suspected severe soft tissue injury and possibly a hematoma that had not reabsorbed.  She prescribed pain medicine for me, which did help but did not completely take the pain away.  Finally had MRI done, and this is what it said.  "At L5-S1, there is a small central protrusion of the disc, probably with annular tear which mildly impinges on the ventral aspect of the dural sac."  Also mild to moderate hypertrophic degenerative disc changes involving the facet joints of both L4-5 and L5-S1 which do not produce significant foraminal or central stenosis.  I figure this last part is just normal changes from aging. My question is could the disc protrusion be causing this pain I have? Also, what is an annular tear and why does it say PROBABLY?  My last visit with this pain doc was not a good one.  She seemed preoccupied and really didn’t answer all my questions.  She prescribed a Medrol Dospak and said this steroid would reduce the swelling and then I would be fine.  Does this sound right?  I have always been an active person, but since this injury I have not been able to exercise like I used to.  I am very depressed about all of this. Any help from anyone would be appreciated. Kathy

Response:

Thanks so much, Dr. Work.  This is what I was trying to find out.  An explanation of the MRI findings.  The doc I am seeing acted very strange on this last visit, like she didn’t quite understand the results.  I kept asking her questions, and she kept looking back at the report, and couldn’t really answer my questions.   I am worried because my health insurance has a cap of $2000 on any spine/back claims, and with the injections I have had in my gluteal region plus the x-rays and MRI, I am afraid I am close to it.  If epidural injections are recommended, I couldn’t afford them on my own.   Thanks for answering my questions. Kathy

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<Steroids are used to reduce inflammation and swelling, Is hydrocortisone a steroid?  I went to a seminar yesterday and they were supposedly reporting a new treatment for fibromyalgia, that consisted of series of low dose, short term hydrocortisone It didn’t take long to get to the point that treatment is not covered by medicare, they said because it was medicine.  The cost was $2500 to sign up.  Sounds like another rip for desperate people.   They said the costs was high because they do a very detailed work up, that would seem to me, to be covered by medicare.   Since fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition, i thought they were full of it. Have you heard of any such treatment? Since i have a friend, under 50, who has used steroids for asthma and pain for years, and now has had a hip replaced, and breaks ribs by coughing, I don’t want to mess with steroids for chronic conditions.. M98

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I don’t have any knowledge of the specific therapy you’re talking about, but I can comment on a few things from my own experience. I was on high dose (60mg/day) cortisone for over a yr and then another yr of tapering it down for sarcoidosis, an unrelated condition to fms.  My fms did not improve noticeably and yes, long-term, high doses affect virtually every part of your body.  The one funny "side effect" was that my straight hair turned curly!! LOL!  I like it better this way! I still take short courses (3-4 days) of prednisone (20mg) for sinus congestion/inflammation as needed, which is several times a yr–under dr’s orders. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<Steroids are used to reduce inflammation and swelling, Is hydrocortisone a steroid?  I went to a seminar yesterday and they were supposedly reporting a new treatment for fibromyalgia, that consisted of series of low dose, short term hydrocortisone It didn’t take long to get to the point that treatment is not covered by medicare, they said because it was medicine.  The cost was $2500 to sign up.  Sounds like another rip for desperate people.   They said the costs was high because they do a very detailed work up, that would seem to me, to be covered by medicare.   Since fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition, i thought they were full of it. Have you heard of any such treatment? Since i have a friend, under 50, who has used steroids for asthma and pain for years, and now has had a hip replaced, and breaks ribs by coughing, I don’t want to mess with steroids for chronic conditions.. M98

Debbie Life is a test. It is only a test. If this were real life, we would have been given better instructions.

Response:

Medicare won’t cover "experimental" procedures, tests, etc. It didn’t take long to get to the point that treatment is not covered by medicare, they said because it was medicine.  The cost was $2500 to sign up.  Sounds like another rip for desperate people.   They said the costs was high because they do a very detailed work up, that would seem to me, to be covered by medicare.  

Debbie Life is a test. It is only a test. If this were real life, we would have been given better instructions.

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Run, Mary!  This is a rip-off!  Ask these people where they found this research and the journal that it was published in.  If they say that it is still experimental, then ask them why participants in a study must pay for the research… The only thing that this will do is cause you osteoporosis. — Bill Work This communication is intended to provide general information, and in no way is a substitute for face-to-face medical care.  No implication of a doctor-patient relationship should be assumed by the reader.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <Steroids are used to reduce inflammation and swelling, Is hydrocortisone a steroid?  I went to a seminar yesterday and they were supposedly reporting a new treatment for fibromyalgia, that consisted of series of low dose, short term hydrocortisone It didn’t take long to get to the point that treatment is not covered by medicare, they said because it was medicine.  The cost was $2500 to sign up.  Sounds like another rip for desperate people.   They said the costs was high because they do a very detailed work up, that would seem to me, to be covered by medicare. Since fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition, i thought they were full of it. Have you heard of any such treatment? Since i have a friend, under 50, who has used steroids for asthma and pain for years, and now has had a hip replaced, and breaks ribs by coughing, I don’t want to mess with steroids for chronic conditions.. M98

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I’m curious why the calcium leeching is the only thing mentioned with steroid use? my wife has lupus and take steriods frequently for the disease. You would be supprised at the endo problems alone. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Run, Mary!  This is a rip-off!  Ask these people where they found this research and the journal that it was published in.  If they say that it is still experimental, then ask them why participants in a study must pay for the research… The only thing that this will do is cause you osteoporosis. — Bill Work This communication is intended to provide general information, and in no way is a substitute for face-to-face medical care.  No implication of a doctor-patient relationship should be assumed by the reader. <Steroids are used to reduce inflammation and swelling, Is hydrocortisone a steroid?  I went to a seminar yesterday and they were supposedly reporting a new treatment for fibromyalgia, that consisted of series of low dose, short term hydrocortisone It didn’t take long to get to the point that treatment is not covered by medicare, they said because it was medicine.  The cost was $2500 to sign up.  Sounds like another rip for desperate people.   They said the costs was high because they do a very detailed work up, that would seem to me, to be covered by medicare. Since fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition, i thought they were full of it. Have you heard of any such treatment? Since i have a friend, under 50, who has used steroids for asthma and pain for years, and now has had a hip replaced, and breaks ribs by coughing, I don’t want to mess with steroids for chronic conditions.. M98

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Question:

: MY doctor, who’s  practiced trauma medicine (emergency room)  for many, : many years, says you can still get a bellyache from prednisone by : injection, though  perhaps it’s not as likely. : : SINCE  I  discovered  g o a t s m i l k   I’ve had no trouble at all : taking  pred.  Nor colchicine, nor indomethasone, nor accutane. : The belly ache form steroids comes from the reduction in the inflation response preventing the lining of you stomach rebuilding. This is true or all anti inflamiatoris to some degree or another. Steroids, aspirin, or NSAIDs. I don’t see anything in goats milk but higher butter fat that would protect your gut. — Gordon    W5RED

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MY doctor, who’s  practiced trauma medicine (emergency room)  for many, many years, says you can still get a bellyache from prednisone by injection, though  perhaps it’s not as likely. SINCE  I  discovered  g o a t s m i l k   I’ve had no trouble at all taking  pred.  Nor colchicine, nor indomethasone, nor accutane. Good luck.—Jack

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Snippage:

SINCE  I  discovered  g o a t s m i l k   I’ve had no trouble at all taking  pred.  Nor colchicine, nor indomethasone, nor accutane. Good luck.—Jack

Hello, Do you dirnk the goats milk instead of other kinds of milk?  Or do you drink so much of it a day as a medicine?  For example: instead of cow milk on your cereal do you use goat milk?  Another example: do you drink 8 ounces of goat milk a day as a medicine. Breath Well, Christopher Yeats "Nothing can stop the power of an informed citizenry when it is empowered, organized, and motivated." Ralph Nader

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Also if you have a bad reaction to steroids such a psychosis you have to wait for it to wear off before you try something else. — Gordon    W5RED

: : What are the benefits of prednisone by injection?  I get horrible stomach pains : when on prednisone tablets, will the injection prevent that?  Also, can I get : the injections to give to myself, or would I need to visit a doctor twice a day : to get it?  Thanks! : : -Lannieta : : Prednisone must be taken with food and liquid to avoid stomach :  pains. : : There are long acting steroids [triamcinolone (Kenalog)] that can be : injected IM [intramuscular] and last for up to 30 days. : However they can cause muscle damage at the site of injection. : : http://health.yahoo.com/health/drugs_tree/medication_or_drug/0698/ind… tml : Triamcinolone (Injection) : : The best way to use steroids for asthma is to use the inhaled : version, which results in a much lower dose since it goes : directly to the lungs, typically 30x lower dose. : New steroid inhalers like Pulmicort and Flovent enable : many on oral steroids to wean off of them. : : Ellis

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What are the benefits of prednisone by injection?  I get horrible stomach pains when on prednisone tablets, will the injection prevent that?  Also, can I get the injections to give to myself, or would I need to visit a doctor twice a day to get it?  Thanks! -Lannieta

Prednisone must be taken with food and liquid to avoid stomach  pains. There are long acting steroids [triamcinolone (Kenalog)] that can be injected IM [intramuscular] and last for up to 30 days. However they can cause muscle damage at the site of injection. http://health.yahoo.com/health/drugs_tree/medication_or_drug/0698/ind… Triamcinolone (Injection) The best way to use steroids for asthma is to use the inhaled version, which results in a much lower dose since it goes directly to the lungs, typically 30x lower dose. New steroid inhalers like Pulmicort and Flovent enable many on oral steroids to wean off of them. Ellis

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What are the benefits of prednisone by injection?  I get horrible stomach pains when on prednisone tablets, will the injection prevent that?  Also, can I get the injections to give to myself, or would I need to visit a doctor twice a day to get it?  Thanks! -Lannieta

Response:

What are the benefits of prednisone by injection?  I get horrible stomach pains when on prednisone tablets, will the injection prevent that?  Also, can I get the injections to give to myself, or would I need to visit a doctor twice a day to get it?  Thanks!

Generally, prednisone injections are only given by trained medical personnel. I would suggest that you call your doctor (and pharmacist) to ask for advice about the stomach pains. Always, Always, _Always_ report medication side effect to your doctor or pharmacist. "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."    General Colin Powell

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Question:

<…snip… and I’ve figured out this isn’t really psoriasis.   I get this red stuff on my eyelids about.  Dusty

Chocolate (and strawberries) contain large amounts of skin irritants (in comparison to other foodstuffs).

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for emphasizig the warning about steroid use near the eyes. Even overspray from inhaled steroids for asthma can lead to glaucoma, so anyone On this subject I would also like to warn my fellow PA people that long term use of Prednisone can cause Glaucoma. I have been diagnosed with it, although the decrease in dosage from a high of 30mg daily down to a 4mg, 3 mg. rotation currently has brought the high eye pressure down. My opthamologist is hopeful that my eye pressure will return to normal, but he and another eye specialist have told me that they have seen many patients who use steroids internally or near the eyes who have permanent problems with Glaucoma. My taper off this drug has taken almost a year and I’m not done yet! The last time I got to 3mgs I was so ill my doctor increased it immediately upon seeing me and my latest blood work to 10 mg., followed by another seemingly endless taper.  I will be dropping to alternating days of  3 mg., 4mg. for a week, then down to 2 days of 4 mg. and five days of 3mg. and so on until, hopefully I am finally and FOREVER off this drug. Anyone considering long term use of Prednisone for their PA, please be absolutely informed of all the terrible side effects before you make your decision! Ava (Feeling like Frank Sinatra’s character in The Man With The Golden Arm!)

Dear Ava, Thank you for this information. I had no idea that glaucoma could be a result of predisone use. Lee

Response:

Thanks for emphasizig the warning about steroid use near the eyes. Even overspray from inhaled steroids for asthma can lead to glaucoma, so anyone

On this subject I would also like to warn my fellow PA people that long term use of Prednisone can cause Glaucoma. I have been diagnosed with it, although the decrease in dosage from a high of 30mg daily down to a 4mg, 3 mg. rotation currently has brought the high eye pressure down. My opthamologist is hopeful that my eye pressure will return to normal, but he and another eye specialist have told me that they have seen many patients who use steroids internally or near the eyes who have permanent problems with Glaucoma. My taper off this drug has taken almost a year and I’m not done yet! The last time I got to 3mgs I was so ill my doctor increased it immediately upon seeing me and my latest blood work to 10 mg., followed by another seemingly endless taper.  I will be dropping to alternating days of  3 mg., 4mg. for a week, then down to 2 days of 4 mg. and five days of 3mg. and so on until, hopefully I am finally and FOREVER off this drug. Anyone considering long term use of Prednisone for their PA, please be absolutely informed of all the terrible side effects before you make your decision! Ava (Feeling like Frank Sinatra’s character in The Man With The Golden Arm!)

Response:

www.skin-cap.net

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  this is an old post but hey I’m just now getting around to catching up!  I agree with the answers to use vaseline or if absolutely necessary, carefully applied corisone cream.  and I’ve figured out this isn’t really psoriasis.   I get this red stuff on my eyelids about.   Dusty

Response:

<I’ve snipped Dr Joe’s as usual very good info I don’t wear any cosmetics/perfumes etc at all, yet I do occasionally get a small patch of P, – I think it is anyway, – on my tip eyelid, just where the lid creases where it folds between the ball and scull !  The way I’ve found to cure this, – I might be lucky that it only takes 1 or 2 applications to get rid, – is put the merest smear of Dovonex on, like I say it only takes a couple of goes and it’s gone I don’t have this problem very often thankfully, I really don’t know what I’d do if I did, follow the guidelines from the group — Nick Sorry folks, I’m being spammed at yahoo Anyone should be able to work out where to reply too ! nrw7 yahoo.com Also at www.nrw.clara.co.uk

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It is also true that psoriasis CAN occur on the face and lids, and that this skin is more sensitive and more reactive, and more absorbent than other skin.  So . . . . . tears, rubbing, yeasts, chemical irritants, etc., can aggravate the condition.  Cortisones, especially fluorinated cortisones and other halogenated, potent cortisones can make this dermatitis persist forever. NO ONE should use a cortisone preparation around the eyes unless under dermatologic or ophthalmologic supervision.  MANY of my patients have obtained prescriptions for potent steroids and have suffered the consequences for years!  We use the mildest emollients and softening moisturizers in this area as a first step, remembering to counsel patients not to scratch or rub this area (these areas).

Thanks for emphasizig the warning about steroid use near the eyes. Even overspray from inhaled steroids for asthma can lead to glaucoma, so anyone using superpotent topical steroid sprays should be extremely careful. I’d like your opinion on something I was reluctant to share because the "scare sheet" says not to use it on the face or near the eyes. I’ve had great success with low dose anthralin cream. I’ve mentioned its effectiveness on delicate genital skin, but I also use it on my face, even on the eyelids. I use 0.1% Drithocreme very sparingly, applying it after my bath and leaving it on until the next. It doesn’t irritate my eyes, although I sometimes need a few extra blinks to clear my vision after sleep, and the sandman is generous if I’ve used more than usual on my eyelids. Are you aware of any risks in using anthralin cream on the face this way? The warnings appear to apply to the irritating effect of the high strength creams. I wish others might find the same success that I’ve had, but this seems to be a relatively undocumented treatment method. Have you ever tried any patients on this for genital or inverse psoriasis? Just as a warning, a woman reported here getting anthralin creme from a friend, and slathering it all over her child as if it was a lotion. The horrific result was like a severe sunburn. I use very tiny doses of the weakest cream, applied only on trouble spots. Just enough to keep the psoriasis in check. — Ed "then again, sometimes my whole face is a trouble spot" Anderson

Response:

I use a steroid when they’re really bad – eumovate in 50% canesten – but be *very* careful with steroids around your eyes.

Something I’ve tried when needing to put steroids near the eye — put it on for just two or three minutes, then carefully wipe it back off! You probably get about 50% of the full effect, with 95% less leakage onto the eye. J.

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I use a steroid when they’re really bad – eumovate in 50% canesten – but be *very* careful with steroids around your eyes. Something I’ve tried when needing to put steroids near the eye — put it on for just two or three minutes, then carefully wipe it back off! You probably get about 50% of the full effect, with 95% less leakage onto the eye.

Excellent tip – thanks for that! <aside you have the same name as my son, which makes me trust your advice. Isn’t it odd how the mind works?  Not, you understand, that I’m doubting the quality of your advice – which has always worked well for me so far – simply the quality of my reasoning processes! </aside Anyway, will wipe the steroids off from now on. Vicki

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<aside you have the same name as my son, which makes me trust your advice.

Not to disipate this good will and credibility, but … I was playing a game of duplicate bridge, once.  One of the opponents looked at my card, saw my name, and exclaimed, "what a wonderful name, that’s the same name as my dog!". What a wonderful psyche-out!  I laughed.  I mean, here she was, wearing a visor covered with pull-tabs or something, … Anyway, will wipe the steroids off from now on.

It’s worth a try! J.

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not sure but if u get any helpful replys pls let me know i have the same

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i’m in pain. is there anything anything at all that i can put on the corners of my eyes? i have a couple little spots of psoriasis on my eyelid and every time the skin peels a little bit it hurts reeeeeally bad. ::whiny:: ky <—sorry for any typos   i’m keeping my left eye closed.

Hi Ky,     I had some spots on my eyelids this past winter. I just used a little vaseline on them. The problem with creams and such is that they can run into your eye. Especially if you sweat. The big thing is to avoid scratching and rubbing which will just make things worse. What worked for me was getting some UV exposure to that area by sunning myself whenever possible. Not an easy thing to do in Seattle in the winter. Take care Michael

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I have seen several such cases, and believe this or not, most of these, even in patients with psoriasis, turn out NOT to be directly due to the psoriasis itself.  At least at first.  I’ll explain: This eruption at the lateral commissures of the lids (the place where the lids come together) is frequently seen in patients who have developed contact allergy to something they are getting on this area.  We include an active search for topical allergens in such patients, looking for allergies to eyedrops, eye-applied medications, over-the-counter drops, and so forth.  Next most frequent offender is a cosmetic, and often the ingredient to which the patient is allergic is found in MANY cosmetics, since they often use common ingredients in various ones. It is also true that psoriasis CAN occur on the face and lids, and that this skin is more sensitive and more reactive, and more absorbent than other skin.  So . . . . . tears, rubbing, yeasts, chemical irritants, etc., can aggravate the condition.  Cortisones, especially fluorinated cortisones and other halogenated, potent cortisones can make this dermatitis persist forever. NO ONE should use a cortisone preparation around the eyes unless under dermatologic or ophthalmologic supervision.  MANY of my patients have obtained prescriptions for potent steroids and have suffered the consequences for years!  We use the mildest emollients and softening moisturizers in this area as a first step, remembering to counsel patients not to scratch or rub this area (these areas). Any cortisones used around these areas should be of the strength we commonly use temporarily on BABIES’ BOTTOMS.  That is, a simple 1-2.5 % hydrocortisone OINTMENT (HYTONE