Complete joint pain and weakness

[crimson]

Somehow my friend was diagnosed with RA after presenting with complete joint pain and weakness, and an RH factor test came back positive.After seeing an RA spec.The doctor suspected a virus, and my friends labs came back with a lower test result.Question is, what kind of virus, and what can my friend do about it? Aleve, tylenol arthritis, and ibuprofen to just take the edge off, and the doctor won't prescribe my friend any more prednisone. It has been 8 weeks now and no sign of improvement as my friend have been told to expect. Also, what is so bad about the effects of prednisone that 3 rounds of 10 days(not consecutive) is all they will do?

[kageyd]

Here's a quote from a good web site called cushings-help.com I've known for years that prednisone has potentially dangerous side effects, and that most doctors will not prescribe it for continuing use. Some people here, though, who have used it for a long time, swear by its effectiveness. Not an easy call.....

Quote:

"Even Low Steroid Doses Can Be Trouble

Fractures tied to common arthritis, asthma drug
By Julia McNamee Neenan
HealthScout Reporter

MONDAY, Oct. 23 (HealthScout) -- Daily low doses of a commonly prescribed oral steroid, prednisone, can double your risk of hip fractures and cataracts, scientists reported today. Researchers have long known of the link between higher doses of oral steroids and dangerous side effects, but the new study shows the potential for side effects at much lower doses, says Dr. John B. Wong, an associate professor of medicine at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston.,,,," (the article continues)

[crimson]

Oh thanks for the article, I definitely learned something about that. Prednisome is trouble.