Thanks for replying. My mom started taking prednisone last week and today, for the first time in the past 7 seven days, was actually able to walk without the use of her walker

When I was first hit with fibro 22 yrs ago they put me on prednisone and for me it was a nightmare. I gained weight and high blood pressure and my face was moon faced for awhile. It happened real fast and the doctor never told me what the side affects could be. Fortunately, my face is back to normal, but unfortunately I still have high blood pressure. I lost a lot of the weight but it was a horrible expereince with it. Just look out for the side affects....not everyone responds to it like I did and I'm happy it's making you feel better!!

Spruce

It can save a life then destroy what's left of a life after its evil side effects take their toll. I've been on and off of it for the past 15 years, for chronic asthma.

Prednisone is dirt cheap when you have no insurance, and it managed my asthma symptoms extremely well when as a single struggling mom I could not afford the inhalers and other meds which cost over hundred dollars a crack. When taken long enough it will cause your adrenals to completely shut down...then when you try to taper off the prednisone you are hit with severe steroid withdrawal symptoms nearly identical to

fibro itself: severe joint pain and extreme fatigue. That is where I am now, trying to taper off the Prednisone and not being able to completely do it. I have taken my dose every other day instead of every day to try to minimize the side effects, but after five years on it, I no longer produce natural cortisol and my HPA axis is all messed up. I have gained 40 lbs that will not budge and I am hungry all the time. On the alternate days that I don't take it, my fibro symptoms are ten times worse. I was diagnosed with the fibro a few years before I started taking the prednisone again, but now that I am on it and my body has come to depend on it, I don't know that I will ever be able to totally do without it. I am now taking 20 mg every other day and in severe pain and sleeping all of the time especially on the days with no prednisone.

Which symptoms are due to fibro and which are due to prednisone withdrawal I can't be sure.

I can honestly say that I have a love/hate relationship with prednisone

because 20 years ago it definitely saved my life when I nearly died of a severe asthma attack.

But if you have a choice...don't get started on it unless you absolutely HAVE to and there is no other alternative! Ask your doctor to help you safely taper off it after your flare is under control. This is a powerful drug!!!

Have you got anything for pain at all??

I hope things get better for you soon!! Hang in there, ok?

Spruce