Question: Hi Dr. Grief- I need to speak to a doctor who is knowledgable about the aftereffects of Prednisone use. It can be a rheumatologist or an neurologist, but they need to know. Thank you- XXXXXXX

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Rijhwani- Thanks for your reply. However, I asked about AFTER EFFECTS, not side effects.Everyone on Prednisone knows about the side effects(if not they are not taking any interest in their health). I'm referring to the physical process that happens AFTER using or going off Prednisone. I took Prednisone for 14 months. Since I have been off it for the last 46 days, I have severe tendon and ligament pain, agonizing right hip joint pain, painful lower back stiffness, and other areas of my body where pain manifests that comes and goes. I also have developed asthma after 12 months of off and on chest infections from a reduced immune function. Before Prednisone, I was a healthy, thin, active person (Chi Gong, calisthenics, walking, swimming, etc.). I'm not interested in taking Prednisone again as I discovered that my atlas was 3 cm (yes, 3 cm) out, causing the Arteritis. What I want to know from you is whether or not the symptoms I am experiencing above are to be expected having gone off for Prednisone. I do know about some of the horrors of the after effects of the drug. I look forward to your reply. Thank you- XXXXXXX

Dear Dr. Shruti- Thank you for your reply. Very direct. Just a quick update: CPK was done in my blood work. LDH was added to the labs done yesterday. Calcium level and Vit D very good. To be perfectly clear: Is severe, at times, agonizing pain the norm as an after effect from being off Prednisone? I will have an X-ray done of my right hip as it keeps popping out. This is caused by my tendons, ligaments and muscles being weakened by the after effect. Of course, hip necrosis needs to be ruled out as well. Please let me know what other knowledge you have in this after effect period. Thank you. All the best- XXXXXXX