Medication

[jazzgirl80]

Hi, I have high blood pressure, gp suggested medication but I'm also on pred, I don't want these to interact and not work properly. Any body in same situation?

I'm considering not taking medication.

[Richard-Allen]

I'm not sure why you are having to take Prednisolone but this should be only for a short length of time. High blood pressure should could cause problems later on if you were to start to develop varices.

I would speak with your consultant about coming off Prednisolone or reducing the dosage.

[AyrshireK in reply to Richard-Allen]

Prednisolone is first line treatment for Auto Immune Hepatitis which Jazzgirl is suspected of having (still under investigation) - eventually it should taper and be replaced with an immune suppressant but some people with AIH remain on a small dose of prednisolone for longer or even forever (my hubby is on 5mg daily for life to deal with small 'flares' which may occur without being symptomatic).

Katie

[jazzgirl80 in reply to AyrshireK]

How long should I be on pred for and what is the replacement

[AyrshireK in reply to jazzgirl80]

There is no set length of time for pred, obviously you are still under investigation for AIH - one piece of the jigsaw is a positive response to pred i.e. if it brings your inflammation down. If they conclude that you do have AIH they usually start to wean you off the pred (slowly) and introduce an immune suppressant medication - the 'go to' one is usually Azathioprine though there are lots of other alternatives if that doesn't suit.

Some people don't come off pred completely whereas many do with their immune suppressants keeping future flares in check - my hubby is on a 5mg daily maintainance dose (his AIH was an unusual presentation in that he had no symptoms up until the point he already had cirrhosis).

Katie

If you do Facebook at all there is a fantastic AIH support group on there, with over 3000 members from all round the world and supported by the UK's top doctors who work in the field of AIH treatment and research. They have files drawn up by the top doctors that explain diagnosis pathways and treatment options and it's well worth joining to get experience from those who have gone through the whole journey.

It's a private group so no one else on your feed see's what is posted. facebook.com/groups/AIHorgUK

[Hidden]

Hello,

Please do not consider NOT taking medication until you have discssed your concerns with your doctor. High blood presssure can do lasting damage so it is a question of the risk benefit ratio for you as an individual.

regards

[Lam1e]

I’m post transplant and although now only a small 2.5mg of Prednisolone I have 8mg doxasosin daily. It works fine for me!

[Kristian]

Your GP would normally check for any possible interactions when prescribing so it should be ok.