What are steroids used for in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis? Is there any reason why a patient now in her forties, or any patient decades on, who received treatment with steroids as a youngster should not receive them now or ought to put her doctor on notice of that history?

Steroids are used to reduce inflammation of tissues. RA has exacerbations of inflammations which make it more painful and debilitating.

Doctors should always be made aware of a past history of using medications of any duration or length of time.

Long-term steriod use HAS been known to contribute toward reduction of bone density, but this can be managed with medications, weight-bearing exercises, etc.

If this person has any questions or concerns, speaking to a pharmacist would be very beneficial. Her doctor can also provide information.


About Steroid use for RA:

quote:

Corticosteroids:

Corticosteroids are steroids that have Anti‑inflammatory effects. They are prescribed to quickly relieve RA signs and symptoms such as pain and inflammation. However, physicians may have to monitor you more closely when you are on corticosteroids because of the possible development of serious side-effects, including weight gain, osteoporosis, glaucoma, hypertension and cataracts. The side-effects of these drugs can increase both with longer usage and higher doses.

Commonly prescribed corticosteroids include prednisone and Medrol (methylprednisolone).

About RA

Sherasi,
Don't forget the G-I bleeding problems. If one has to take steroids, usually it would be good to take an Proton pump inhibitor also. I kind of like Nexium.
I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica which is something I hadn't heard ofbefore I got it. Not in my old medical books. My wife actually made the diagnosis. She said take some prednisone to see if you feel better. That's when we figured out I had some kind of inflammatory problem. I think it was brought on by Lipitor. Steroids really helped and is how we were led to the diagnosis, but not to have the treatment (possible complications) be worse than the disease, I put up with it and don't take the steroids.
Of course severe cases of RA need sterioids and that is when a good Rheumatologist comes in handy.