Short-term prednisolone

Starburst
Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
edited 23. Aug 2012, 12:48 in Living with Arthritis archive
Afternoon all, just a quick one....

I got prescribed prednisolone by the out-of-hours GP because I am in a bad way with my joints, partly due to a stomach virus. He only gave 7 days worth of 20mg and didn't say what I should do afterwards. Last time I took steroid tablets, I was told you should be weaned off them. Am I correct? I'm probably going to ring my rheumy nurse or regular GP anyway as I'd like an extra few days of tablets to keep me going through next weekend. I'll be in Disneyland Paris!

Thanks for reading!

Comments

  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Starburst

    You are right to check about the Pred. When I have had short-term higher doses of pred, I have been told to reduce before stopping and the doc has told me exactly how. So you are doing the right thing by checking. Really hope it gives you some relief - and that you can continue to have the benefits whilst you are in Disneyland! Hope you enjoy your trip Starburst.

    Tillyxxx
  • kathe
    kathe Member Posts: 183
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thats correct I have olso been told thay. My doctor say that I schall redusee whit 2,5mg over weeks or days. But not stop taking it from 20 mg.I think it is good ide to talk to you doctor and gett more tablets. I olso taking prednisolon these day because I m in switching tnf medicine.(bilogic medicine) . But I have taking it step byy step, started whit 5mg and are now at 15 mg and going up to 20 mg . But taking this step by step over 1 -2 weeks now.
    Good luck and habe a grwat time at disneyland
    (sorry about my bad englisch but I'm norwgian)
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Starburst

    Its years and years since I was on a course of steroid tabs and only for two weeks but I remember taking less mg every other day to wean me off them.

    I would definitely ask your rheumy tomorrow for advice.

    ooh and have a lovely time in paris :D

    juliepf x
  • Soretoe2
    Soretoe2 Member Posts: 198
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Starburst, I have prednisolone every now and again for a week to ten days. Although in taking them long term it's usual to taper off, I never have for short periods.
    Best to check with your usual gp though, he may want you to continue taking them for a while anyway.
    Hope they work and you feel better soon.
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for the helpful replies. By some miracle, not only did I manage to get a GP appt on Wednesday but also at a time that suits me....I nearly fainted! It's not my normal GP but that's ok. Think I'm going to ask to stay on 20mg until I see my rheumy at the beginning on Sept.

    It seems to be really helping! I feel like superwoman.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey, steady on there, Superwoman! That's the pred talking. Don't be seduced by him. He's a monster in disguise. Good for a brief affair but not a long term relationship :wink:

    I know you're sensible and will be guided by the doc. Enjoy it while it lasts :D
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • allant
    allant Member Posts: 1
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi
    newby here, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis for 27 years
    yes be very careful. i have been on prednisolone since december 2010, as i had to go to a&e as the pain in my knees go to the point that pain killers did nothing and the pain had started the other joints off. i would have gladly sold my soul to the devil to get some relief. the a&e doctor gave me a steroid injection and put me on a short term course of prednisolone, the affect was remarkable i could actually move again. i got a emergency app with the rheumatologist who put me on long term prednisolone. i felt great but then in december 2011 just before christmas when i woke one up morning, my left eye was like looking through fog i phoned the nhs direct who said go to the eye hospital, at the eye hospital they examined my eye and told me i had a cataract forming and looking at my medical records was most likely caused my the long term use of steroids (prednisolne). now having ra is bad enough without losing my sight. so having made an appointment with the gp i am now slowly reducing the amount so eventually getting off it completely. so be warned get off it as quick as you can.
    allan
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for the tip, Allan. I'm sorry to hear you've had problems on pred. I saw the GP who was concerned but I explained there was no way I could coped without a little boost. I'm staying on 20mg for another week, then reducing to 10mg. I see my rheum in 2 weeks and I'm sure she'll wean me off immediately as I'll be starting another DMARD. I'm happy with this plan.

    I'm feeling a little less like superwoman but still much better and cut down my work hours to ensure I don't overdo it. ;)

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