Prednisone - are these tablets causing joint pain?

[Handsup]

I'm taking a three day course for out of control asthma but from the first dose (6 tablets) my bloody joints are in agony. Can side effect appear so soon?

No they are often prescribed to help with joint pain.

they should not cause joint pain, they are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis -
are you on any other medication though, could be a reaction with that?

It's not listed as a side effect on my pack.
Most side effects I've had with them are from long term use (over 3weeks) - I take them for Rheumatoid Arthritis (joint pain) and generally they make me feel hungry and I get a 'moon face' which I hate. They also give me indigestion and make me slightly nauseous.
If you are worried you should speak to your dr.

@Wonky legs. Wondered why I was eating more the last couple of weeks. ;-) I am on them for the same reason.

I took a course of pred a few years ago for ulcerative colitis and yes joint pain was a side effect (along with bloating and generally feeling worse than I did before taking the steroids)

Do you have any alternative treatment options?

The bizarre thing is I have mild Ankylosing Spondylitis (a form of arthritis) which I treat with neurofen daily yet since taking the steroids for asthma - the joint pain has reached another level.
I experienced this pain on pred 5 years ago so I don't think it's a coincidence.
Really disappointed I was looking forward to pain free joints yet the steroids have worked a treat for the asthma.

Ironically, the treatment for inflammatory types of arthritis do often have side effects of joint pain. So, unfortunately, it could be the pred.