Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Prednisone forever???? I think NOT

A couple of points I think you should consicer: When it comes to CPK I don't think I would tolerate a rising number since it represents muscle loss. Personally I know the effects of loosing a little here and there....it all adds up over time and you don't get them back. On the other hand CPK does not go hand in hand with muscle loss. My CPK hasn't been over 100 since starting prednisone. I have had a couple of major flairs and a few minor ones .... cpk doesn't change but my skin and fingers catch hell. My other indicator for a flair is hurting with little or no exercise. One of the areas that DM and Pm differ is vasculitis. Inflamed capillaries don't get much blood to muscle tissue and boy do things hurt....so I pay attention to pain as a indication of muscle loss. I have a feeling things are a little different for you.

Like you I get a liver panel once a month. I tend to be a little sensitive about chemical load on my liver compliments of getting a phone call from my rheumatolotist saying it is time to change meds. As you know it ain't no fun. Consequently, the lower the pain killer dose the better. If I can take a very low dose of a more potent product as opposed to a larger dose of say Tylenol, less is better.

If this sounds like "listen to your body but be a little paranoid"............your right.

Hope your hearing is excellent