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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Lowering Of Predisolone Pills, During Osteoarthritis, Cause Back Pain?

I suffer from osteoarthritis in my spine and have been on the steroid Prednisolone (5mg) for almost 40 yrs for asthma. I'm 75 yrs old now and am trying to cut down the amount of Prednisolone I take because of the osteoarthrisits so for the past 1.5 yrs I've been taking the Predisolone every alternate day. For the past 7 days however, I've tried to cut it further, so have been taking the Prednisolone every 2 days because of my osteoarthritis, but my lower back is in a lot of pain. Would this be as a result of this shift in the amount of Prednisolone I'm taking? Will it improve? As an aside, I take 2 chewable calcium tablets daily and take Alendronic 75mg once a week too.
Tue, 13 Jan 2015
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Orthopaedic Surgeon,  's  Response
Dear patient
Prednisonolone is a steroid drug which has anti inflammatory and anti allergic effects. It also leads to osteoporosis. Since you were taking Prednisonolone for prolonged period you get habituated to it. Sudden change in dosage leads to relapse in symptoms. Your back pain might be related to change in dosage. Please do not bring sudden change in dosage. Since you were taking it on alternate days try taking half tablet on alterate days for a week and then next week again take further half dose and stop over a period of one month. If you feel your asthma symptoms are relapsing then do not hesitate to again starting previous dosage. I would also like to advise radiograph of lumbosacral spine anteroposterior and lateral views to rule out bony abnormalities. All the best.
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Can Lowering Of Predisolone Pills, During Osteoarthritis, Cause Back Pain?

Dear patient Prednisonolone is a steroid drug which has anti inflammatory and anti allergic effects. It also leads to osteoporosis. Since you were taking Prednisonolone for prolonged period you get habituated to it. Sudden change in dosage leads to relapse in symptoms. Your back pain might be related to change in dosage. Please do not bring sudden change in dosage. Since you were taking it on alternate days try taking half tablet on alterate days for a week and then next week again take further half dose and stop over a period of one month. If you feel your asthma symptoms are relapsing then do not hesitate to again starting previous dosage. I would also like to advise radiograph of lumbosacral spine anteroposterior and lateral views to rule out bony abnormalities. All the best.