Talk some sense into me, please.

dreamdaisy
dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
edited 4. Nov 2011, 04:16 in Living with Arthritis archive
As some of you may remember I have devoted this year to getting off the prednisalone - and I've very nearly done it. I am down to daily alternating 1mg with nothing, and struggling, but never mind. I knew it would be tough and as it is my choice I cannot grumble! :smile:

Next week Mr DD is whisking me away for a few days, Monday to Friday. I am looking forward to it but to make the most of it - for BOTH of us - I think I should increase the pred, maybe back to 5mgs or even just 2.5 for those five days. I KNOW this is not a defeat, I KNOW that it makes sense and that my deadline is my choice, but to be honest I am reluctant to be sensible. Daft, innit? Tell me to shape up, please. DD
Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
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Comments

  • daylily
    daylily Member Posts: 619
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD, Your time with Mr DD is too imprortant to spoil.

    Please take the meds and wean yourself off them again, you are using them very sensibly, they are there as a tool for coping with the dreaded lergy as and when needed.

    Hope you and Mr DD are going somewhere nice (daft saying that isn't it?!!!! as if you would go anywhere nasty!!!!!! :oops:)

    Have a great time the both of you
    x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear DD, so sensible as usual, you know what you have to do, you do not really need us to tell you. :wink: To enjoy the time away with Mr DD you must up the med.

    Have a great time. Life is too short and as you say, you can start to decrease once home again. You have done it once, you can do it again.

    Love
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • Poppyg1rl
    Poppyg1rl Member Posts: 1,245
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Now DD, you know that the sensible course is best all round, up the pred and enjoy 5 fun filled,beer drinking, curry eating days with your beloved :grin: you can go back to low or no pred after having a great, painfree time with Mr DD.
    Love and a hug ((())) Xxx
    'grá agus solas'
    'Love and Light' translated from Irish. X
  • tonesp
    tonesp Member Posts: 844
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I really do not need any meds now But I sometimes get achy legs Probably because now I walk a bit funny after the op.When I need to walk for pleasure or to a bar I don't hesitate to use Ibuprofen If it going to give you a good few days go for it and then wean off it again
    By the way sink a couple for me will you :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:
  • bertyboy
    bertyboy Member Posts: 1,860
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi DD do whats right for you , if you need them take them you have dropped them down and will be able to do it again , hope you both enjoy the break , xx
    I know i am a lady ,all life is a journey xx MAY xx
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD,

    I remember when you upped your dose when you had that lovely weekend with Mr DD a while ago, and remember what a lovely time you had because of it.. You actually managed to enjoy yourself..
    So i think a kick up the jacksy is in order so you can swallow your pride and enjoy your break away as best as you can.. It is not like it is an everyday occurrence luvie, and you both deserve to have a lovely time..
    Don't feel guilty for lessening your pain..xxxx
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD, you’ve done a brilliant job with the pred and I look forward to the forum jamboree when the last one is swallowed – preferably with a bottle of something good.

    As a reformed pred addict, I can’t advise on them. Many now seem able to go on/come off them at will and, if it works for you then why not? It worked for you before, as I recall, and you coped with the coming off bit OK. It will give both of you a much welcome break.

    I’m not sure I could handle it myself. (My name is SW and I am a predoholic) These days it’s the occasional bum jab only for me. But, if you can deal with it, why not?
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • tiggernut
    tiggernut Member Posts: 339
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh DD take the pills and have a good time. I too am trying to come off pred down to 5mg but some days I take more if I can't cope.
    I'm also trying to come of Voltarol I have done really well but a couple of times I have taken one.
    There is no shame it getting a bit of a boost.

    Anita xx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,826
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I shall quote 'someone' at you....

    there are TWO of you in this marriage

    you owe it to both of you to enable BOTH of you to have a good time. Do the right thing

    m04140.gif

    Just used that smilie because l like it :wink:

    Love and hugs

    Toni xx
  • ichabod6
    ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dont go backwards/
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey, Lucky you going away for a few days.

    You are a sensible lady and you will do whats best for you,.... and, the lovely mr dd of course.

    Hope you both have a super time.

    Love Juliepf x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you one and all, I appreciate your all taking the time to reply. I know I am very aware of the fact that me, being as I am, it will become all too easy to slide rapidly back down the massive mountain I have climbed because, like Sticky, I am a predoholic: I love what it does, I love the way it makes me feel, I love the delusion it gives that arthritis ain't that big a deal. Yes, I did recently indulge myself with a massive two day boost over a couple of week-ends but at that time I was off the H&M: now I am not and I must take that into account.

    I am struggling with walking in a major way at the moment (just call me Igor :roll: ) and that won't do whilst we are away. The pred won't relieve any pain but it will help me cope better with it, together with a strange bed, more active days, going out in the evenings not to mention the journey. I know it makes sense and I know I would be a total clot not to do it. I can take stubborness too far (and often do) but this is not a suitable occasion for that.

    Why is it always easier to tell others what to do? It's about time I listened to - and took - my own advice, yes? :lol: DD

    PS I loved the emoticon, frog - that is me to a T, fighting myself!
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    Why is it always easier to tell others what to do? It's about time I listened to - and took - my own advice, yes? :lol: DD


    Sounds like something i'd say to myself lol.. :lol:
    You will do whats right for you luvie..

    th_BUD44.jpg
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • Turbogran
    Turbogran Member Posts: 2,023
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD only you know what is best for you but what ever you do I hopeyou and Mr DD havea nice few days away. :smile:
    Stay positive always👍xx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    I can take stubborness too far (and often do)

    It's about time I listened to - and took - my own advice, yes?


    I always knew we had something in comon. Pity it's the bad bits.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dd you do not need us to tell you what you know take them enjoy your time away then cut back again they like all meds there to use to make life liveable so live it now get your head around a week then start cutting back we will be here to help val
    val
  • Mat48
    Mat48 Member Posts: 1,075
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I had my first ever lot of Pred sitting in a sponge bag for two weeks and kept putting it off - firstly because i wasn't sure if I needed it and was full on hanging an exhibition so didn't want insomnia/ new stuff to deal with. Second week I didn't take it because I was "only on holiday" - and guess what? - we ended up returning a week early because I couldn't cope with being away from memory foam mattress and all my usual props and was in too much pain to enjoy myself?! On it now of course and and regretting that holiday week like mad :roll:


    Take it and be damned DD .. sorry if that comes out wrong (?!) but as I see it we only get one life and holidays are too important to look back on as grumpy, pain-ridden times I feel?!
    If you get lemons, make lemonade
  • mp1952
    mp1952 Member Posts: 425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD

    if it was me I would take 2.5...

    hope you have a lovely break.

    Marion x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've been on them for over five years, Mat, and even I am now bothered by the possible side-effects: you don't need to fret about that yet, they do help and they do make a difference if they suit you.

    Right gang, I've found a compromise: I'm taking them with me, lots of 2.5s so I can take as many (no more than 7.5) or as few (no less than 2.5) as needed. The aim will be to do without but if it does all get too much then they will be there. I will be a sensible DD and not deny myself the help that I may need.

    It dunnarf help to write things down, it does clarify one's thinking. Thank you all, as ever. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • BLEUGIRL
    BLEUGIRL Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi dd dont let arther win over u so wat if u need a bit ov help for a few days, :smile: then start over again when ur back :smile: dont beat urself up.

    sending hugs jane xx
  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just seen this , DD , a trip away sounds lovely ; you definitely need to do the necessary and enjoy your few days in full . Relax , enjoy and down the meds . Jillyb
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    Right gang, I've found a compromise: I'm taking them with me, lots of 2.5s so I can take as many (no more than 7.5) or as few (no less than 2.5) as needed. The aim will be to do without but if it does all get too much then they will be there.

    Sounds like an excellent plan, DD. The walking can always be curtailed but the beds are an unknown quantity. I hope you both have a great time.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • theresa4
    theresa4 Member Posts: 696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI DD
    Only you know whats best for you if you feel you will need it to enjoy your holiday then its probably a good idea. We get little time to enjoy ourselves with arthur on a day to day basis so going away is a little more special and requires an extra effort to enjoy it otherwise why go? Dont let arthur ruin your time away. I know you would advise others to give themselves a break.

    Just as a note for you predders my friend who has sarcoidosis (another auto imuune) has been on pred for 10+years as its the only thing that keeps her going she has a few problems with it at 52 but says that its pred or no life her body cannot cope without it and it seems to keep her condition in check. ANy attempt to mess with the dose upsets her condition and puts her to bed.
    Sometimes we have to consider quality of life as much as anything else. Yes the drugs we all take have side effects I know for me when I dont have my methotrexate for a few weeks I literally cannot walk it doesnt take it away by any means but is the difference between minimal mobility and no mobility. Steroid depo injections are great (well usually see my post) and at one time I didnt want them but now I cant wait to have them. Im still dubious about pred but thats becasue of the risk of weight gain ( i really dont need help :lol: ) that worries me rather than the other side effects.

    Whatever you decide DD enjoy your time away.

    Theresa x
    There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those. --Michael Nolan



    Theresa xxx
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD.
    Have a lovely holiday make sure you rest you take what feels best for you at the time.
    enjoy. joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've had to up it regardless. :sad: I am in real trouble with my right heel, gawd knows what's going on but it will have to wait until we get back. I'm really struggling to stand and walk but hey-ho, it's only another challenge along the way and I will beat it. Well, put it this way: it won't beat me. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben