PMR

[smiley67]

I would like to know if anyone has gotten bladder stones while on pred, and if so what did they do for them ? Will you pass them on your own ?

[piglette]

Bladder stones are caused by urine sitting in the bladder. If small they may possibly pass by drinking lots if water. I should check it out with your doctor though, particularly if you are in pain. I have not heard pred is responsible for bladder stones, although they do seem to be responsible for an awful lot of things!

[smiley67 in reply to piglette]

Thanks for advice. Am not in any pain it all went away 2 weeks ago .

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Smiley, you should get advice from your GP on this - if you are taking calcium supplements and/or Vit D, do ask for your calcium levels to be checked to ensure that your body isn't making too much.

[smiley67 in reply to Celtic]

I had blood work and my calcium was fine. thanks for your advice. It just seems that every month there is a new medical problem with me. Do you think it all has to do with pred? I never had so meney health problems since I got PMR in Oct 2013 am down to 6 mg not without some pain but so far bearable. I hope to be off by Jan 2015 for good.I go down 1 mg every 4 weeks. So far so good.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Smiley, I suppose it depends on exactly what you mean by medical problems whether they may be attributable to Pred or not. Steroids do damp down our immune systems so can leave us a little bit more vulnerable to picking up infections. I didn't seem to develop any more infections than normal during my years on steroids, but I did concentrate on sticking to a very healthy diet with loads of fresh steamed veggies and fruit daily, and never went a day without a helping of Manuka honey which is believed to help the immune system, also fresh garlic daily, the latter at the risk of keeping everyone away let alone infections!!

You have done very well to get down to 6mg in just 8 months but do bear in mind that flares in the inflammation can be quite common in the first 12-18 months of treatment, and the lower you get on the steroids, the higher the percentage drop. The 5mg dose can be a sticking point for many, and I certainly succumbed to a major flare at that dose when following advice to reduce by 1mg a month as you are doing. Slowing it down will hopefully reduce that risk for you.

[smiley67 in reply to Celtic]

Thanks for your advice it is very appreciated.