How often do you increase your Prednisone dose?

serenanede
serenanede Member Posts: 3
edited 13. Jun 2013, 07:22 in Living with Arthritis archive
My rheumatologist has had me on a daily Prednisone dose of two 5mg tablets per day. Once when I was having a bad flare up, she told me to increase the Prednisone to three 5mg tablets per day for three days. I did this back in April of this year (toward the end of the month). Now I'm having another flare and I'm not sure how often it's safe to increase the Prednisone dose.

Does anyone else do this? Is it common to increase the dose for three days to get through a flare up? Could anyone tell me how often they do this? I'd just like to hear about others' experiences with this. Thanks.

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello serenanade and welcome to the forum.

    I think your best bet is to ring your rheumatology helpline tomorrow. Just because your rheumatologist wanted you to increase the pred previously that doesn't mean to say he/she will want you to do so again.

    To be honest, I've never got through a flare in 3 days, pred or no pred. The steroids certainly work wonders for me but, for a flare, I've always needed to keep taking them for some time.

    We're only in early June so, if you flared in April and are now flaring again, it might be that your other medication needs tinkering with. Only the helpline can deal with this but please let us know how you get on.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi;
    Yes my rheumatologist does this too. He has me do a pulse dose increase to 15mg for three or four days. Now I'm currently off pred but can still do this with 5mg if I'm really flaring badly and need to bring the pain down to semi-tolerable. This doesn't work as well as when I was taking it daily. I questioned him about it too but he said it was safe to do.

    Stickywicket's right though, if you are uncomfortable with any doctor's instructions you should definitely call and talk to your doctor.

    best wishes, Anna
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I get an increase similar to that and then drop down gradually over next couple of weeks. I tweak the small doses but not larger doses as they like to know what is happening with my joints but also to keep an eye on the pred. I suggest you ring your rheumy tomorrow.
  • serenanede
    serenanede Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the responses. My rheumatologist is currently out of the country and her office is closed for the next week or so. She didn't really say I could only do it that one time. She said something like, "When you're having a bad flare, do this." But she didn't say how often I could do it.
  • Buka
    Buka Member Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My rheumatologist has allowed me to do this in the past but only after speaking to him first and then he makes the decision as to how much he wants me to take. I think you need to seek advice from someone in the Rheumatology department. I usually speak to the rheumy Nurse in ours if I cant get through to consultant. Hope you feel better soon.

    Bukax
  • Boomer13
    Boomer13 Member Posts: 1,931
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just be cautious because if you use a pulse dose too frequently, or for too many days and then stop without tapering you could have a very serious reaction. Always safer to taper down over a few days. Also, the longer/more you use the more likely you are to weaken your bones. I was on pred for a very long time so I'm very cautious with it and do the pulse dose only when I'm really desperate. This is every few months for me. It allows for a slight pain "holiday" without the side effects of long- term use. I don't expect pain relief after I've stopped it, but sometimes it does take the edge off a really bad flare.

    I imagine you know this already, but I though I'd mention it. Even your GP should be able to give you an idea about how frequently you can use the pulse dose safely. Always a good idea to consult the pros.

    Best of luck,
    Anna
  • As5567
    As5567 Member Posts: 665
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I would personally hold off and get advice from your doctor/helpline. Streroid's are something that I don't personally ever take a risk with as I know first hand the problems they can cause and the "withdrawal" effects that can be caused from using them incorrectly.
  • alanthemanc
    alanthemanc Bots Posts: 512
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I always take an extra one at midnight if I am having a flare up, and that works for me most of the time.
  • lulubell69
    lulubell69 Member Posts: 110
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've been on pred for nine years and occasionally increase it for a short time, especially when going on holiday. I also get regular steroid injections, however, if your new to all this I would consult with your doctor, nurse etc to be sure.
    Steroids do a fab job reducing inflammation but they can also do damage if not properly controlled.
    Take care
    Les