Elizabeth

Know the Prednisone Side Effects

December 23, 2021 ·

Let me be clear – I wouldn’t want to be on prednisone either. In fact, when suffering from a wicked case of vertigo, I fought my doctor buddies who advised I take a Medrol dose pack to ease the symptoms.

“I’m going to gain weight!” “I’m going to have anxiety!”

As a Rheumatologist, I am well-versed in all the possible side effects of prednisone (and similar meds) and feared the worse.

But I also know that there is a time a place for prednisone. Not only was I currently in need of the benefits of prednisone, many of my patients are as well. But there ARE side effects that need to be considered and discussed.

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Do you need Prednisone?

December 20, 2021 ·

“We are just wanting to know if we need to start steroids.”

Doctors will often make this comment when seeking out a rheumatology consultation. Prednisone has almost become synonymous with rheumatology. For years it was one of just a handful of treatments at our disposal to calm down the myriad of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions we came across. But the liberal use of prednisone by rheumatologists also served as education to all the harms the drug can cause.

When facing a prescription for prednisone, one can have many mixed feelings. Relief at the prospect of having some respite from pain and fear at the idea of all the side effects. Prednisone use has become so ubiquitous, especially with autoimmune disease, it can be easy to think of it as simply another “Tylenol” or “Advil.” But it needs to be understood and respected in order to be best used.

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When the anti-CCP antibody is negative

November 4, 2021 ·

Coming to a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can be easy. We are spared months of bouncing between doctors and tests if we have the “right” symptoms and the “right” labs. Unfortunately, for many, the road to a RA diagnosis isn’t quite so quick. This is most commonly seen when the Rheumatoid Factor (RF) is positive but the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) is negative.

As we’ve spoken about before, the RF antibody blood test is far from perfect. Despite its name, the Rheumatoid Factor is not specific for RA. In fact, it is seen in many other medical conditions (including the condition of “getting older”). Usually ordered with a RF (and if not with, then usually immediately afterwards) is the anti-CCP antibody. This antibody is MUCH more specific for RA and is seen in individuals years before developing RA symptoms. After 20+ years of practice, it is now standard of care to order an anti-CCP when concerned about RA. And our dependence on it can lead many to be confused when it returns negative.

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Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

October 26, 2021 ·

It is rare for someone to get a diagnosis of Mixed Connected Tissue Disorder (MCTD) right away. Most people bounce around from specialist to specialist, collecting diagnoses before they are finally diagnosed with MCTD. This, understandably, leads to confusion and some trust issues. How could it have taken so long to get to a diagnosis? How can you be sure it’s MCTD?

And patients aren’t the only ones confused. Doctors, especially non-rheumatologists, can be confused by MCTD, opting to use the short-hand “lupus.” In many instances, that may be ok, but for the Rheumatologist, and patient, the distinction is important.

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Complements & Lupus

October 21, 2021 ·

If you have ever seen a Rheumatologist or there has ever been concern for lupus, you most likely have had your complement 3 (C3) and complement 4 (C4) tested. Unfortunately doctors do not do a great job of explaining these tests or their results, but are more often than not, considered when your doctor is assessing whether your lupus is “active” or “quiet.”

The complement system is complex and most doctors, aside from rheumatologists and immunologists, do not remember the specifics of the “complement cascade.” But you don’t need a PhD in immunology to have a basic understanding of how complements work and what they can teach us about our body.

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