Q. I have had patches of itchy dermatitis for years. More recently I developed “mildly inflammatory arthritis.” Then I came down with carpal tunnel syndrome. In my dealings with doctors, these have always been treated as separate problems.
I was recently prescribed prednisone for a poison ivy attack. My dermatitis is clearing up. My arthritis is much improved too; I can touch my toes. The carpal tunnel pain is also gone. I feel better than I have for years.
I know I cannot continue on the prednisone forever because of its side effects. From this experience, I conclude that all my prior problems are interconnected. I would like an integrated treatment for them. Have others found alternative solutions?
A. Inflammation is the common denominator of your health problems. While prednisone can relieve many symptoms, serious side effects may occur with long-term use.
We are sending you our Guide to Alternatives for Arthritis with a discussion of problems with prednisone and a variety of non-drug approaches for inflammatory conditions. If your problems are not caused by an underlying condition (such as psoriatic arthritis) that requires medical treatment, you may find a natural anti-inflammatory product helpful. These include fish oil, cherry or pomegranate juice, boswellia, curcumin and ginger.
