Can anyone who has any positive autoimmune markers or other clinical signs or physical manifestations of autoimmunity share your experiences with these types of drugs - corticosteroids and/or DMARDS?
I test consistently positive for ANA, ESR (intermittently positive), Anti Smooth muscle antibodies and Rheumatoid Factor (high positive). I do not have Lupus or Arthritis.
I have a thirty year long complex illness history (many unusual and severe symptoms on top of the usual ME type symptoms) which started about two to three months after a mild but long lasting bout of Glandular Fever (Mono) and six weeks after a minor surgery where I reacted badly to the anaesthesia.
I recently have seen a Rheumatologist who my GP referred me to who believes these types of meds may help me.
A one off 5mg dose of Prednisone last year instantly improved my condition dramatically and the effect lasted several days (at my best the day after I took it) but even after this one off low dose, I was left with what seemed to be steroid withdrawal symptoms a few days later - fortunately this only lasted a day or two but the experience left me nervous and undecided about following his advice to try a longer several month long course of very low dose Prednisone followed, if successful, by the introduction of a DMARD (he didn't specify which one).
I have been in limbo for the last year....too nervous to try the longer course of low dose Pred he wants me to try for fear of steroid withdrawal symptoms (and possibly worse ME symptoms) after the course is over.
Has anyone pursuing this type of route, bypassed the steroids completely and tried a DMARD first?
If so, please share your experiences.
Also any experiences in general with corticosteroids and DMARDS?
I am also more sensitive to side effects of drugs and even supplements these days and also withdrawal effects when coming off drugs so any opinions/experiences with this side of things would also be helpful.
Thanks very much in advance for any input
I test consistently positive for ANA, ESR (intermittently positive), Anti Smooth muscle antibodies and Rheumatoid Factor (high positive). I do not have Lupus or Arthritis.
I have a thirty year long complex illness history (many unusual and severe symptoms on top of the usual ME type symptoms) which started about two to three months after a mild but long lasting bout of Glandular Fever (Mono) and six weeks after a minor surgery where I reacted badly to the anaesthesia.
I recently have seen a Rheumatologist who my GP referred me to who believes these types of meds may help me.
A one off 5mg dose of Prednisone last year instantly improved my condition dramatically and the effect lasted several days (at my best the day after I took it) but even after this one off low dose, I was left with what seemed to be steroid withdrawal symptoms a few days later - fortunately this only lasted a day or two but the experience left me nervous and undecided about following his advice to try a longer several month long course of very low dose Prednisone followed, if successful, by the introduction of a DMARD (he didn't specify which one).
I have been in limbo for the last year....too nervous to try the longer course of low dose Pred he wants me to try for fear of steroid withdrawal symptoms (and possibly worse ME symptoms) after the course is over.
Has anyone pursuing this type of route, bypassed the steroids completely and tried a DMARD first?
If so, please share your experiences.
Also any experiences in general with corticosteroids and DMARDS?
I am also more sensitive to side effects of drugs and even supplements these days and also withdrawal effects when coming off drugs so any opinions/experiences with this side of things would also be helpful.
Thanks very much in advance for any input