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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 12/3/2009
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My private physio was chatting about steroids today and mentioned how occasional use can thin your bowel, something I'd never heard of before. I've heard how steroids can cause osteoporosis and diabetes (Stewart 's a prime example) but never anything to do with bowels. She then went on to say this may have been the cause of my THR infection, i.e. 38 years of intermittent short term steroids, coupled with other RA drugs causing my bowel to thin and perforate. The microbiologists thought a perforated bowel could have caused my infection, but I didn't have any obvious symptoms. I like the effect steroids have, i.e. more energy and reducing inflammation but maybe the sooner I get off them the better, especially with another THR coming up next year! Anyone had bowel problems on steroids? Carol
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Gosh, that is a revelation!
Could you explain what thinning of the bowels mean, ie the symptoms?
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 12/3/2009
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Hi Amanda, I'm not entirely sure what the symptoms would be for a thining bowel. Maybe we wouldn't have any obvious symptoms until it perforated, but quite what they would be again, I'm not sure. Maybe Doreen could enlighten us? Carol Carol
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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I've never heard the term "thinning bowel " but it seems possible when you think what steroids can do.
I think you are right that there wouldn't be any symptoms until it perforated, then you would certainly know!
Some docs seem to give out oral steroids all too easily.
Luckily I've managed to avoid them.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Thank you for your valued opinion Doreen. I thought that might be the case. I still don't think it was the cause of my infection though, I didn't have any bowel symptoms. Carol Carol
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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As Jenni seems to have been affected more than most by continuous use of steroids, she also may have some answers. Can this happen with long term use or is it just when they are used occasionally?
Love Jxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Hi Jean, My physio was saying it could happen with short term use, so heaven knows what long term use could do to your bowel. Carol Carol
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 331 Location: South London
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Hey Carol,
how long did you say you were taking steriods? they have affected the condition of my hair and i have had hair loss thought not sure if thats the RA and my skins got thinnner so stands to reason it can effect your insides tool. I am interested as I am on steriods and hoping this 2nd dmard starts working so I can get off them as I heard they can be hard to get off. I managed to get down to 5 mg. how much do you take?
Mari
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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steroids do cause thinning of membranes so skin (makes it papery and dry), hair (makes it thin, fall out) nails (weakens them) etc can all be effected.
I guess this means it can effect the inside membranes as well. I have diverticulitis, which is an RA complication- it is all in my tum and causes pain and "other" problems.
DEFINATELY get off the steroids if you can. they have ruined so much of my body and caused no end of problems. Without them tho, I cant move so reducing is a non option at present.how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 327
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Gosh, this is quite scary, isn't it? I've been prescribed occasional steroids and already have diverticulitis! Guess I'll try and avoid the steriods in future.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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MrsWoman wrote:Hey Carol,
how long did you say you were taking steriods? they have affected the condition of my hair and i have had hair loss thought not sure if thats the RA and my skins got thinnner so stands to reason it can effect your insides tool. I am interested as I am on steriods and hoping this 2nd dmard starts working so I can get off them as I heard they can be hard to get off. I managed to get down to 5 mg. how much do you take?
Mari Hi Mari, I've taken steroids on and off for over 38 years. I had something called A.C.T.H. injected 3 times a week when I was first diagnosed as a child and since then taken oral Prednisolone short term, maybe once every 18 - 24 months. Currently I'm on a reducing dose, I started off on 40mg daily, reducing by 5mg each week. I'm now down to 25mg per day. I'm aiming for 7.5mg. This is because I had to stop MTX all year because of my THR infection. I've had no drugs for nearly a year, except for Indometacin which was pretty useless on its own. They are trying to dampen down my inflammation whilst allowing time for MTX and Hydroxychloroquine to work. I know steroids can thin your skin and you should protect yourself from the sun. Hair loss could be steroids but it can also be auto immune disease. I had two bouts of hair loss earlier this year which they said could either be the stress of the numerous ops, drugs, RA, or a combination. I shall definitely think twice next time steroids are suggested. Carol Carol
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/14/2009 Posts: 61 Location: Lancashire
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Hi, My first post so please be patient if I err, Bit worrying what you are saying about the steroids, have frequent bouts of 30 mg daily and long term 10 mg. I do not feel that I have had any side effects but, I do suffer from colitis that is controlled with steroids when it flairs up. Thanks for the information though as I will talk it over with my GP next time I see him,
John.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Hi John, welcome to the forum. How long have you been taking steroids? As I mentioned above, I'm on a reducing dose, currently 25mg daily going down to a maintenance dose of 7.5mg. However, if my other drugs MTX and Hydroxy have kicked in by then I might persuade my Rheumy to stop the steroids when I see him mid-January. Are you able to take any NSAID's with colitis? Carol
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 12/5/2009
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Oh - PREDNISELONE - The drug we love to hate but many of us can`t do without.
I am afraid, I have been on them constantly for the last 14-15 years. Although always on a low maintenance dosage. For a very long time, it was 5 mg, then the last 4-5 years 4mg. I am now trying to reduce further to 3 mg a day. I am doing it very slowly: 2 days 3mg and then 1 day 4. I hope at the end of the year I will be on 3mg every day.
As Jenni says, it is very hard to do without, and we have to put up with the many side effects to maintain our quality of life, some very serious ones and other less so. I have osteoporosis and broke a hip falling, but otherwise I have been lucky. I bruise easily and my skin is very thin, but I can put up with that.
Merete
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
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Over the years I have taken steroids in short bursts for my asthma when it was really bad. Over the pass year I've had the depo medrone and taken oral steroids, whilst they have helped mask the pain and enabled me to become more mobile after I found out that I have a growth in my adrenal gland, I wont be taking them again. Also they have played havoc with my mood and brought me to the brink of insanity.
Love,
Barbara
XXXXXX
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Dear Barbara,
Lovely to have you back!
Do you think that the steroid usage is connected to the adrenal gland growth?
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009 Posts: 653 Location: Notts
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It seems we can't do without steroids, but they do give us other problems! I'm trying to reduce mine, from 5mg to 4mg, it's taking me ages.
Lyn
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jenni_b wrote:steroids do cause thinning of membranes so skin (makes it papery and dry), hair (makes it thin, fall out) nails (weakens them) etc can all be effected.
I guess this means it can effect the inside membranes as well. I have diverticulitis, which is an RA complication- it is all in my tum and causes pain and "other" problems.
DEFINATELY get off the steroids if you can. they have ruined so much of my body and caused no end of problems. Without them tho, I cant move so reducing is a non option at present.
I was on oral steroids for two years before final diagnosis, at first very effective ( 10mgs per day), i gradually reduced to 2.5 and on occassions manged without for 3 weeks at a time (thats when i thought it was viral and getting better!!!) NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FEEL EH!!! eventually i was back on 10mgs per day. At first they worked well, but eventally became totally useless, which i now understand can be the case in long term use. I recognise the thinning issues, but not the bowel ones, so not really qualified to say, however i can say my dr was antious to get me off, reduce the intake asap. I do occassionally miss them as i certainly had more movement than i do in the early stages of the new drugs, PATIENCE BEING A VIRTUE you understand!!! I now know i am far from virtuous............ When finally diagnosed I was given an injection which i understand was steroid based, loved it, but only lasted about a week before i had restricted movment again, been told they will only give it every two to three months until new meds kick in, so roll on Jan/Feb when i see the RA doc again....... I am told i am in early stages and that the pain so far should be as bad as it gets, well we will see, although restricted movement appears to be more of an issue than pain.......but my heart goes out to those with more severe daily and on going difficulties than i find myself in. Your positive thinking and support is an inspiration. Wishing you all you would wish for yourself during this festive season. Regards Issy
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 690
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Hi Amanda, I don't know whether the two are connected or not, but would not be surprised if the two were related. The adrenal glands are responsible for cortisol are bodies natural steroid as well as producing adrenalin and other hormones. I'm know expert, but it has made me think about taking them, especially after hearing what happened to poor Jenni.
Love,
Barbara
XXXXXX
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/14/2009 Posts: 61 Location: Lancashire
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Hi Tabbycat, thank you for the welcome, I have been on steroids for 4 years, the dose has varied somewhat as in the early days I was quite open to flare ups. My regular dose has been 10 mg but my consultant wants it down to 7.5. They cannot put up my Metho (7.5) as my liver starts playing up sulfa was brilliant but collapsed my platelets! So as my GP tells me its all a balancing act, and I won't be alone there. I do not know about the nsaids and colitis, but I may well ask next time I get an appointment.
John.
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