Meredith, as you know I'm on prednisone, but we're not entirely sure if it's just because of my arthritis, or whether I have a definite problem with NK cells as well. In my first pregnancy, every time I reduced the dosage of my prednisone, I would get spotting. My doctor tells me it was just coincidence, but it happened on three separate occasions! Dr S was happy to go with possible NK cell problem given the level my results came back at while being treated with prednisone.

He suggested we increase the dosage I was on... and that didn't work out so well, with two chemical pregnancies while using the higher dosage.

Eventually, I decided to go with the dose I was on during the first pregnancy, as the NK results were within an acceptable level while on that dosage. I was just VERY careful to make sure I took it every day, and have to admit that because it's managing my arthritis, I still have not reduced the dosage at all.

When it comes to side effects - I find very little at 10mg. Perhaps because I've been on it for so long now (it's been over 12 months more or less, sometimes higher, sometimes lower). At 20mg, I found I would gain weight very easily. I would at times suffer from mood swings, tending towards being angry, aggressive and generally irritable (constantly wearing my cranky pants, you might say). Muscle cramps are an odd one, but one that I get when my body is telling me I'm taking too much of it. Another peculiar one to me is that I simply can't take it at night! My rheumy wanted me to take it at night as that would give me better coverage in the morning when my arthritis tends to be worst. If I do, I simply do not sleep at all. If I'm very careful with regards to diet and exercise, I can usually keep the weight gain slowed down, but it does increase the appetite, so it can be damned hard to actually do! Weaning off is also a complete hassle - I tend to need to go slower and in smaller increments than most people, which is another reason I haven't started to come off it yet!

I will add that there are many drugs where I seem to be highly sensitive to the side effects - sometimes what I experience isn't going to be anywhere near what someone else will go through, but it's good to be aware of just how bad it can be. My rheumy (and I vaguely recall Dr S possibly saying something similar) always suggested that split doses (if you're on 20mg, take 10 in the morning 10 at night) makes the side effects more manageable and weaning off easier, but it's just not an option for me with the sleep disruption.

BW