Prednisolone And Heat Pack..

[EnglishRose63]

Hi warriors 💜 Hope you're all having a lovely Christmas 🎄

I'm currently on a tapering dose of prednisolone for RA inflammation and hurt my back this morning 😔

It might sound a daft question but should I still apply heat packs to my back while taking the pred? I can't call my gp to ask as it's the Christmas break.

[Gnarli]

Ouch! That must be sore. I'm no medic but in your position I'd be tempted to use a heat pack. If there's inflammation it should be cold though.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Gnarli]

Thanks gnarli.. I'm so fed up of not knowing which pain is inflammation and which isn't 😞The prednisolone is helping my bursitis but don't know if bursitis is caused by RA.

[Gnarli in reply to EnglishRose63]

It's a proper puzzle isn't it? I don't have bursitis thank goodness and I don't envy you one bit

[Fruitandnutcase]

You might be able to find a pharmacy that is open today and ask the pharmacist but to be honest I would use a heat pack - not too hot though or you could also try a chill pack and see whether heating or chilling works best.

You could always try a Deep Freeze gel or spray or Bio Freeze or something like Pernatron gel to rub on.

Assuming you are able to take them, I’d also take ibuprofen or paracetamol for the pain but again you could ask the pharmacist about that.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thanks Fruitandnutcase.I'm sure I read somewhere not to take ibuprofen with prednisolone?

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to EnglishRose63]

Just looked up this best to check with your doctor - I’m sure even if you can’t get to speak to them you could leave a message and get someone to reply

“Don't take anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) like aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen while you're taking prednisolone, unless they've been prescribed by your doctor. This type of painkiller may increase the risk of side effects on the gut, such as stomach ulceration and bleeding.”

I’m not sure ibuprofen goes with asthma either but my GP prescribed it for me the week before Christmas! I’m still living but I’m not keen on taking it.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yep I thought I read it somewhere. I tried cocodamol but didn't seem to do much except make me constantly thirsty.

[Runrig01]

I’m on life long prednisolone and have AS. My rheumatologist is happy for me to use heat packs. I see no reason not too. You are just really encouraging blood supply into the tissues.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you Maureengibson.. I'm so fed up of not knowing which pain is inflammation and which isn't 😞

[Amnesiac3637]

Oh yes! Couldn’t do without heat on my back. Have had RA for over 33 years and the only comfort and joy is my heated back pad! If your injury is acute you may want to ice it alternately with warmth but there’s absolutely no contra-indications to warmth as long as you don’t scald yourself. Hope it eases soon!

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thanks Amnesiac.. Are you on any RA meds?

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to EnglishRose63]

Oh gosh yes! Have had everything known to science and then some, or so it seems! Am currently only on 10 mgs of prednisolone as I await my second jak inhibitor following an in-between biologic which failed horribly leaving me feeling foul. Heat still the best thing!!

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Ah bless ya Amnesiac I'm the same with the RA meds tried most dmards and I'm now on jak inhibitors (jyseleca filigotnib) Oh the joys of pain! X

[Leics]

I’ve never been advised not to use heat packs when taking pred in the past. I’ve had occasions when only a hot water bottle would help or at least ease things a little. As long as it’s not too hot. If you can as an alternative and you have a bath then have a good soak to loosen you up or if not a long warm shower. I hope you feel better soon. I’m no longer on pred but I’m sure you’ll be fine with some rest but if you can keep mobile too so you don’t stiffen up because a bad back is made worse for me if I sit for too long however much it hurts. As another reply said though ask a pharmacist because they’re usually available for advice when docs aren’t available.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Leics]

Thanks Leics.. its tiring trying to find a good solution isn't it? I'm not wanting to stay on pred long so I'm just doing the tapering course for a week.

[Leics in reply to EnglishRose63]

make sure you taper the pred. Slowly don’t do it quickly it’s a very bad idea when you can speak to your rheumatologist and get advice from them but if you’ve been on it a long time you have to take many weeks to come off it or it could be dangerous as your body could stop producing cortisone with devastating results. If you’ve only had a short course then it shouldn’t be too much of a problem but ALWAYS seek advice before reducing prednisone.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to Leics]

I did 30mg yesterday reducing to 20mg second & 3rd days then 10, 10, 5 &5 over 7 days.

[KittyJ]

I’ve used various heat pads when on pred and wasn’t told not to. Heat and ice is what is often recommended for us by rheumys but check with your doctors if you have other reasons you shouldn’t be using heat.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to KittyJ]

Thanks KittyJ x

[EnglishRose63]

I'll do that thanks Leics 😊

[minka]

Pred should take down any inflammation.Your knee incline the knee and always always massage the knee with strokes upwards to reduce the inflammation up your body. Never massage downwards or it goes to your feet. Hope this helps.

[EnglishRose63 in reply to minka]

Thanks Minka.. Its my back not my knee. X

[Mmrr]

I'm on oral prednisolone and use heat packs. They gave me a heat pack in the hospital too.