Flare from Prednisone or ... ???

[jolisey]

Hi all!

I haven't been on here very much lately, basically because I've been feeling not too bad! The Elmiron seems to be helping about 80% most of the time, so I could live with this. I still have occasional burning and crampiness, and have to watch my diet and intimacy (not too often or too vigorous!), but things were going ok until yesterday.

About 6 weeks ago I developed a chest infection that turned to bronchitis then pneumonia, and wouldn't respond to several courses of antibiotics. I'm finally feeling "almost" better from that, but as part of the treatment, my GP put me on 5 days worth of Prednisone.

Last night, about 1am, I began a flare unlike any I've had for about 3 years. Shaking, cold sweats, pain, urgency ... you know the routine. Thankfully I had pyridium on hand, which seems to work ok for me, and I finally slept for a couple of hours.

I'm just really discouraged today, and wondering what could have caused this flare?? Is Prednisone a problem for flares? My doctor also recommended an immune booster, so I purchased some yesterday and took my first one last night ... maybe that could be the problem? I see on the label that it contains ginseng (isn't that a stimulant??) - is there problems with flares from ginseng?? I'm also wondering if maybe it's a bladder infection - can they come on that quickly?? I've never had one go from nothing to awful so quickly, but I'm not ruling that out.

I have such a busy week planned (am supposed to be doing some Science Workshops for elementary kids in our school division, plus a dozen other things) - I feel so awful having to bail out on stuff .... just after I was beginning to have some confidence that I could actually participate in life again ....

Sorry this is so long! I could really use some advice - thanks for listening ....

Wendy-Lee

[Mothergoose]

Hi I can't say if prednisone will cause a flare, but thought I would tell you i started it too yesterday for an on going sinus infection for 10 days.

I have taken cold FX which is just american ginsing with out causeing bladder problems, but yes it is a stimulant and I ussally don't take it because it interfers with sleep for me.

Having said that everyone is didfferent and reacts diferently to meds.

What immune booster did he get you to try?

I think anytime our symtoms go from liveable to interferring with our lives we should be tested for a UTI too many time people have been miserable and then find out later it was a UTI. Yes I think UTI symptoms can come on that quick, I have read that people with IC feel the symptoms with less bacteria than most people.

good luck MG

[nottoc4]

I was on Prednisone in April for an allergic reaction to Celebrex.I had no problem with it at all.

[dg2901]

I was on a fairly high dose of Prednisone last year for an allergic reaction. I didnt notice any change in my bladder symptoms.

[krisillis]

I"ve been on Prednisone for months now in order to treat my IC and it is one of the few things that gives me relief, aside from the narcotics. It does not aggravate my bladder. In fact the first day I took it I took no pain killers for 3 whole days. Thats how much relief Prednisone gave me.

Christine

[nottoc4]

I was hoping steroids could help IC...glad it's working for you.I was already symptom free from IC when I had to take the Prednisone.

[tigger_gal]

I have bronchitis, I was giving the zpack, inhailer and predizone about 4 hours later I had hit the flare form you know where. I am in a great deal of pain.

[Mothergoose]

I took the prednisone yesterday and by lat night I wa thinking I feel pretty good on this stuff i am only taking it for 10 day for a sinus infection with Ab's. But I woke last night with quite a bit of bladder pain, and I have not been having much lately. But to be fair it probably was not the predinose, right before bed my husband cut up some pineapple (yes i know it is a no no) but I have been able to eat more things lately with no problems but I pushed it too far by eating this, so back to watching what I eat moe closely and no more stupid treats. I was asking for trouble.
So i will just go bang my head against the wall for awhile.

MG