Post Date: 9/10/11 1:05 am hi.
I had surgery on 3/4/2011. I was diagnosed with RA in 2004. i took meds for 1 year and it went into remission. after surgery, not only did my asthma flair up repeatedly (I have NEVER had so many problems with the asthma, but the arthritis came back after 6 years. for what reason, i don't know... but it's NOT because I'm more active.. I worked out hard preop and I was heavier.
I went to the urgent care, because the pain in my knee, especially at night was unbearable.
They prescribed me prednisone at about 20 mg daily, and I have to go back every 5 days for refills UNTIL the inflammation goes down.. 2000 mg of Tylenol did nothing and we can't take anti inflammatory.
the prednisone works WONDERS..BUT may slow down your weight loss.. so until the inflammation goes away.. I had to choose, no weight loss over severe pain. the cool thing... is that a side effect of STOPPING the prednisone is weight loss. lol.. be sure to drink plenty of water, take vitamin D, your calcium (maybe a little more than usual) and folic acid to reduce the horrible effects of the prednisone which is a calcium and vit. D deficiency (it takes years of constant usage to get to that point thought). avoid purines (look it up please. too much to type) and rest. walk instead of hard core work outs.. just to relax your joints and reduce the inflam.. so that you may get off the prednisone.
I'm not a doctor, but i have a lot of experience in this issue and i read your story and it sounded like mine. :).