Hi

As I told you last week the humira seems to run out before the 2 weeks is up. my rheumy nurse on the trial said to put my steroids back up from 3.5mg to 10mg but if that didn't work go up again to 15mg. I felt so good (proud) when I had got down to 3.5mg it seems that I have an issue with steroids as in phsyco wise. So, at the moment pain killer wise I have 2 x 50mg diclofenic parecetamol and fentanyl 225mg every 3 days. Oramorph as I need it. I have an excellant GP who will support me with my dilema and descision I know.

By the way I still have MTX 15mg weekly by injection, which are great I have no side efeects at all now. When I was on the pills I lost a lot of my hair, which has grown back curly...

So my question is do I up the steroids to 15 mgs or up the patches to 250mg what would you do?

Help

Tricia

Hi Tricia

Sorry to hear of your dilemma; it's a difficult one isn't it?!

I would leave the increase in steroids very much as a last resort measure. As well as the long terms problems adjusting the dosage up and down plays havoc with your body's own normal 'steroid' production. Certainly in the interim it would be wise to take extra pain killers, up to the maximum per day, and see if that offers relief. I think failing that I might have a word with your understanding GP and express your concern about the steroid. Possibly introduce a short term anti inflammatory to see if that helps? Not sure how that would go down with the rheumy nurse but at the end of the day you know your own body better than anyone. Do you think the Humira has run it's course for you?

Hope you find a satisfactory solution that works for you.

Lyn x