Stills
I am a 80 yr old male who was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Luckily it was non-invasive. Tumor was successfully removed and after recovery period on started on BCG treatment to prevent reoccurence. I had to stop treatment because I developed pain and swelling in my ankles , knees and wrist. Doctors were baffled and I was treated for gout, cellulitis, Lyme disease etc. My condition worsened to the point I was hospitalized for 5 days. Nobody could figure out what I had. Because of blood test markers they thought either Reactive Arthritis or Stills Disease. Treatment for both is basically the same, Prednisone. My Rheumatologist feels it's Stills caused by BCG treatments. I started on the Prednisone tapering at 60mg. When I reached 10mg I had to be bumped back to 20mg because of the pain. I am now at 20mg tapering down to 5mg. Not sure where I am going and that has me worried. Doctors have never seen a case like mine. Stills is usually a disease contacted by much younger people. Also typically Prednisone causes weight gain I have lost a lot of weight. My eating habits and appetite have not changed. If anything I am eating more calories than normal. This also has my doctor baffled. Personally getting discouraged and think rest of my life will be bothered by this disease. I was a very active 80yr going to the gym 5 days a week and walking 4 miles a day. I think those days are over for me. My condition is going into its 4th month. Any comments or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all.