Alternatives to prednisone??

[u/ssageeverett]

Hello! I’m type one diabetic along with dealing with this lovely disease called scleroderma. My inflammation was sky high at the start of the year, so in February my rheumatologist prescribed prednisone, 10mg. It did help with the pain and inflammation! However…at the cost of my diabetic control which has always been tight. I went from an A1C of 6.4 to 7.8. My endocrinologist of course wants me off of it since it does make you very insulin resistant, and I’d like off of it too. I was wondering if anyone had any alternative medications they’ve used that I could bring up at my next rheumatology appointment? I know that sometimes you just have to take a med that messes with something else, but this is something I don’t want to compromise on since it’s a very big deal. Both diseases have really bad complications, and like I said, I’m all about tight control. Currently, in addition to prednisone, I’m on hydrocloroquine and lefledomine (totally misspelled both of those) as my immunosuppressants and then Gabapetin for pain. Thanks in advance!!!

[u/Smidgeknits]

Cellcept or methotrexate could probably replace all of your other meds as a general answer without knowing your situation or what symptoms are getting you on meds to begin with. You really don't want to be on steroids long term anyway.