Good times of day to take Prednisone (and other meds)

[Hessie5]

Hi All

I was naughty yesterday, paying the price today, had to come back home from travel to work as my left foot was flaring, I was/am practically limping. 😬

I tracked what I ate yesterday, and despite bringing eggs and cheese back in the mix, I feel it must be the chocolate and nuts! hey ho. It was divine 🍫

I am still on no meds, awaiting delivery, just Prednidone 5mg per day. I came across a useful article for those interested as to best times to take Prednisone. It does mention other meds also:

rheumatologynetwork.com/rhe...

Hope it proves useful. Despite my pain I am going to try and not let this darn disease get me down, it can be so hard when suffering.

Time for a nice cup of liquorice tea ☕️. Stay well, be strong.

[Simba1992]

I did this with pred. A much better alternative. The only problem was that in France we do not have the moified release pred so I had to have the alarm clock ringing at two. Not so nice but still better than taking it in the morning.xSimba

[Hessie5 in reply to Simba1992]

Hi Simba, I didn't realise there was a better alternative, I am going to check with my doctor as they never share this info. Have a good day. Hessie

[Simba1992 in reply to Hessie5]

I have posted this info earlier. You probably missed it. There has actually been a lot of new research on how to take pred the best way so that there would be least interference with your own cortisol production and helping with morning stiffness and pain. An other way to spear adrenals is taking the pred alternative days. One day dubble dose next none and so on. This has been effective even with larger doses, has decreased side effects. I hope you can get the modified release in UK. Good luck, worth trying. X Simba

[Hessie5 in reply to Simba1992]

Yes, I sure did. Thanks for your time and useful update. All the best, Hessie x

[Doughnut61]

Thank you I found this very interesting x

[Hessie5 in reply to Doughnut61]

As we say - sharing is caring, you’re welcome. 😌 x

[nomoreheels]

It'd be a dull world if we were good all the time! I think we've just to accept if we fancy something we may pay for it & if we don't then it's a bonus. That said there's nothing I've yet to eat that I respond negatively to RD-wise, I appreciate I'm very fortunate as it,s not the case do everyone.

I've always taken prednisolone in the evening, as I was told to when I first started deflazacort (corticosteroid the same, changed to pred when I started taper plan last time) for the same reason

I've also always taken my NSAIDs at night, again for the same reason, as with steroids they help with morning joint stiffness, of most benefit to me anyhow.

[Liggle]

Thank you so much for posting that very interesting article on taking steroids. It makes very good sense, I am going to speak to my Rheumy when I see her next month, I will not change before because I have 100% faith in her , she always works so hard , in my best interest, wishing you a great week with minimal pain kindest regards Elizabeth

[oldtimer]

I worry that I will have problems sleeping if I take the prednisolone at night - anyone find it makes any difference?

When I was on higher doses I used to take part of the dose when I woke at around 3am and that did help with the morning stiffness, but I did find I got frightening and disturbing dreams when on higher doses.

[medway-lady in reply to oldtimer]

I take in the morning but still can't sleep. lol xx But taking 50mcg which is a lot.

[Simba1992 in reply to oldtimer]

It's funny how differently people react to pred. When I was perscribed it I was told to take it in the morning. When I did that I became awfully tired ( just the opposite what people usually do. So I googled and found out I was not the only one with this reaction but I also found out that it was in fact better to take it around 2 and3 in the morning because this is the time our own cortisol starts going up and this is why the modified release pred was a better alternative. You take it in the evening but the effect kicks in at 2-3 in the morning. Taking pred in the evening is not seen as a good alternative because it interferes too much with our normal hormonal function.

[Joy_1]

Thanks for posting Hessie.

I take mine in the morning. If I took Pred later I just would not be able to sleep at night.

[Simba1992 in reply to Joy_1]

I think the point in the link was that if you take the pred very early in the morning 2-3 o'clock you will get the best benefit. You can do this with the modified time release pred. Take it in the evening but effect kicks in at 2-3 in the morning.😊.Simba

[Joy_1 in reply to Simba1992]

Thanks Simba. I did not have a problem with pain and just had 1 minute of stiffness in the morning. However when I dropped from 3mg to 2.5mg a few weeks ago - bang - in came pain and stiffness.

My tipping point for the last 5 years has always been 5.5mg Pred. Following the last changes to my drug regume I have managed to get beyond my tipping point. So at the mo I am super pleased to have got this far! I wonder if the dose being that low (now 2mg), whether is worth me asking about the modified release Pred. Hmmm ..... think I will ask anyway.

Thanks again.

Joy

[Simba1992 in reply to Joy_1]

Yes could be an idea to ask since this is the best way to support your own cortisol production😊

[Leics]

I’m on 5mg of prednisone too. I crush mine in a glass and fill it with water and drink it with my lunch at about 1pm. I have a hiatus hernia so taking pills at bedtime or early hours of the morning would be a bad idea for me. I don’t have too many problems with hiatus (touch wood) and don’t need meds for it atm. I do find that I don’t sleep very well when I’m on steroids whatever time of the day or night I take them. But it’s a small price to pay because they take the edge off the pain, but having to double pain patch up today coz I can barely get up rotten cold weather.

[Hessie5]

Sorry for my late response to some of you - my its been a busy week. Was making time lost due to that terrible flare lasting 2 days 😏 Glad in a better place for now ☺️. I have taken on board a lot from the feedback. Hope everyone is doing well x