This link contains loads of information - it's from the PMRGCAuk forum - which I believe you were on originally so you should be able to read it - most info refers to UK, not sure your place of residence, but might help -
I guessed that’s why you left -but you still need a card - so try Rheumy or GP -but you can still download one -it’s not for a specific illness - anyone on long term steroids.. see here -
The UK is way ahead of most of the world in bringing this unmet need to light - but even so the HCPs seem very resistant to education and continue in their former ways
Hi I have been taking prednisolone for 5 years now and never been issues a steroid card in that time . However I had a check up appointment a couple of weeks ago and when I got my next prescription a card was in with it , I was also wondering the same thing when did this become a thing and why now .
I have a blue one that was issued by the pharmacy and then a couple of years later I got the red n white one from GP..her suggestion. I keep one in my symptom diary and the other in my purse. 💜🌈Xx
Hi thanks for your question Have been on prednisolone for 15 years now and unlikely to get off it. Have only ever had the original blue card from the pharmacy! Will investigate!
if you scroll down through this post to the section on steroid cards, it explains that emergency card was introduced (in the UK) in 2020..and the difference between them.
In a nutshell the blue card is patient instructions the red card is to alert health care staff to those who are at risk of adrenal insufficiency should they become ill hence the reason it should be carried at all times.for those of us who are steroid dependent steroids are classed as critical medication on the red card.
That's because it was written on another forum, so you need to join that forum [albeit temporarily] to read... but I know SC used to be a member of the PMRGCAuk forum, so she could read it...
but no matter she now knows the difference... which is what she wanted😊
As far as I am aware, recently the gp surgeries (well the pharmacist there) have been the ones contacting patients to ensure they are carrying steroid cards. But I'm not sure if all surgeries have an in house pharmacist?? That's how I have had my latest one issued anyway, the previous 2 I had from my rheumatologists, I've been on steroids for about 13 yrs now I think 🤔 scary really! I'm 43 years old and have osteopenia on last dexa scan. My rheumatologist says that I'll probably never get off of them! I'm on 10mgs daily maintenance but up to 25/30mgs when joints flare which is usually every 2 or 3 months, by the time I've weaned down I'm going back up!
Hate them as I just know when they go up I just want to eat everything in sight, I've put about 5 stone on in the last 10 yrs and I hate the way I now look because of it and often think of just trying to get right down to 5mgs a day and seeing what happens (not that I can get past 10 without a lot of joint pain or needing my hips injecting!)
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