Prednisone for chronic pain?

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I was just wondering if anybody has experience with taking prednisone longterm for pain control, or any reason really...

I've taken several short term courses. They were very effective in controlling severe lower back and hip pain with no side effects... I have been using percocet for everyday pain control.

However, my pain has increased to the point were I'm popping percocets 24/7. The thing is, the percocets aren't that effective and I'm not really comfortable with taking them all the time (I used to onlt take them at bedtime).

Anyway, about two weeks ago the doc put me on another short term course of prednisone (which rendered me nearly pain free) to give my body a break from the narcotics.

About 4 days after I finished the course, my pain returned with a vengeance. So, I got the doc to put me back on prednisone long term, until they can figure out why my pain levels have increased so much.

Right now, my pain is much better (and I'm narcotic free), but I feel a bit 'foggy.' I'm not sure if this is due to sleeping so hard--I slept nearly 6hrs straight--or if this might be from the prednisone. It can have some very nasty side effects.

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So, anybody have experience with taking this drug longterm?

If so, what sort of side effects did you have?

sorry, I was on it for resistant bronchitis, I didn't notice any side effects for my one-month course. is handy to know about its analgesic effect. have you thought about trying 3 grams daily of curcumin/turmeric?

I haven't tried that, but I think I will. The only herbal remedy I've tried for pain was ginger. It gave me pleasant tasting burps, but it did not help my pain....

Yeah, nsaids. don't help me at all anymore. I've got a month's worth of prednisone to get through. I'll try the turmeric after that. It won't take long to tell if it's effective for me.

Yeah I usually avoid sugar and wheat. I can tell a difference in pain levels when I don't.

My diet is pretty close to a paleo diet, but I do eat full fat dairy (cheese and yogurt) . A lot of people don't realize it, but there are tons of carbs in low fat dairy.

have you ever tried toradal/ketorolac? that is a potent pain killer. or feldene?

I have taken several prescription NSAIDS, but not those. None of them were effective for me.

I think it's the immunosuppressive qualities of prednisone that's actually helping me. I wish they could find out why my immune system is attacking my spine and hips.



The doc just ordered a bunch of blood work, Maybe something will show up this time.

If you are going to try an herbal supplement for inflammation, I would recommend Zyflammend. It's a blend of concentrated oils from several types of herbs for reducing inflammation, including holy basil, green tea, tumeric, ginger, oregano and several others I cannot recall. It's pricey, but less expensive than purchasing all of the components separately.

My CRP and Sed Rate blood tests looked great during the period of time (about a year and a half) that I was taking it and there have been reputable studies done on it, which is rare for a supplement.

However, I would be cautious about using some herbs, including several of the ones listed above, if there is still concern that AS (the 'other AS,' I mean, ankylosing spondylitis) is causing your pain. Some herbs can stimulate the immune system and are not good for people with autoimmunity concerns, which is actually why I cut most of my own supplement regimen back.

^^^ Thanks for the info. I will have to do some research....

So, far all my bloodwork has come back clean, but I think I must have something like AS (the other one ) or lupus or something... Otherwise I don't think I'd be this much worse only a year after surgery and I don't think my pain would be so responsive to the prednisone...

I am only taking it short-term for Crohn's, but the side effects I have read up about aren't that great, especially taking it long term. Immune system problems like that aren't really that well understood, which makes it hard to figure out exactly what is wrong and treat it. For me prednisone seems to trigger a kind of mania. I am not the most stable person.

Yeah, the bad thing is that it doesn't even help you build muscles... Only Anabolic 'roids do that.

But prednisone can cause psychosis and general cognitive impairment. So far, the only sure side effect I've had is insomnia. What I'm mostly worried about is hormone production suppression. Taking prednisone for too long can render you unable to produce things like adrenaline, etc.

The low dose I'm taking is not fully controlling my pain, but it does take the edge off. Hopefully, I'll find an alternative soon. My blood work should be done this week and I should be able to get in to see a new rheumatologist in the next several weeks.....

Prednisone, a drug you love, and a drug you hate...

I am part of a group for Prednisone users online and almost everyone there who has been on long term doses is overweight, has bone and muscle problems, mood disorders, some have Diabetes, you get the idea I am sure. The worst I've read about, is someone who fractured their spine multiple times just trying to open a window, they took pred for 10 years.

It will help you feel less pain in short term, and even long term, but what it does to your body long term will inevitably cause even more pain, which can be and often is permanent. Steroid Dependency, Brittle Bones, Weakened Muscles, Heart problems, Thinning of the skin, Stomach Issues, Serious Weight Gain, Diabetes, Cushing's Syndrome, Life Threatening Potassium Deficiency, Mood Swings, A Suppressed Immune System, Necrosis, Water Retention, and a billion other Kewl things you don't need or want.

I am on day 4/5 of 60mg Prednisone. Side effects so far... Pretty mild. A little soreness in the muscles, partly my fault due to sleeping funny, but it is increased due Pred. Insomnia. Increased heart rate when I wake up, but settles back down when I get out of bed. Water retention (I feel like a balloon full of water even after a long piss). Very minor swelling in the face, comes and goes. Pred Munchies. Volcanic ash like dry skin. Increased Hair Growth. Increased energy. When I came off this same dosing schedule last time + 9 days of a taper right before it, I had headaches for a few days, muscle aches, gained 10lbs water weight the first day and lost it in two, and my health problems which I was taking pred for came right back.

Would try to stay at a low dose if possible, take during emergencies, and search for "healthier" alternatives before getting a one way ticket to ride on the pred train.

^^^ Wow! Sorry to hear about your problems, but thanks for the info... I'm only taking 10mg/day. So far I'm still doing okay. It's still taking the edge off the pain and since I started taking turmeric, I haven't needed to pop any percocets.

I think I am getting prednisone munchies though. I've eaten about 2lbs of pistachios this week!