Prednisone

[smiley67]

At what dose doze your adrenal glands start to work ? And how long would it take from o mgs of pred to be back to normal ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It isn't that your adrenal glands DON'TWON'T work, it is the entire system that takes time to settle down again. For some people they work fine straight away for most purposes. For some people they can take a bit longer. The usual recommendation is to assume they are a bit ropey for up to a year after stopping taking pred - but if you reduced very slowly over the last 7mg or so they will be waking up while you are reducing. There is no cast iron answer - it depends on the person, you should be careful and avoid too much stress and always tell a healthcare provider you have been on longterm steroids - that means doctors who don't know you, dentists, paramedics and so on. Especially paramedics really - because if you have called them it is because you are ill/injured and your body is under stress. You may even have called them because you feel ill and the lack of normal adrenal function is the reason for feeling ill.

It isn't anything to panic about - just something to remember and tell people who need to know. And carry your steroid card saying you stopped taking pred whenever it was.

[smiley67 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank You. I've asked about a steroid card and no one has heard of it . don't know where you would get one ? I have put that information in my cell app hope that would be a good thing to do.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to smiley67]

"I've asked about a steroid card and no one has heard of it"

I knew the NHS was going down the drain but that's ridiculous! Even if they haven't got one to give you a pharmacist or practice should have heard of it - I was given one less than 5 years ago!

If you go to this site: pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk

there is bound to be an explanation somewhere - since they have designed a "steroid card plus" which they issue to their members as I know there has been some difficulty with the old blue steroid cards. No use asking me for up to date UK info - I don't live there any more.

If you can't get one of those then get a small card to keep in your purse and fill it in with details of your medications and the dose, especially the pred, and keep it up to date. If you were to be taken ill and unable to tell paramedics what you were on it could cause problems since you mustn't stop pred suddenly. If I am away from home for the day and am going to be alone I carry a dosette box with a full day's medication in it and my warfarin card is also in my bag even if I am meant to get home that day.

Yes, having it on your cell phone is also good - though I'm not sure if a paramedic would go through your phone in an emergency. By far and away the best solution is a "Medic Alert" bracelet - all emergency services are trained to look for one - and details of all your medical history are kept at a central number which can be reached from all over the world.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

I got a new one from Sainsbury Chemist in Plymouth last week

[smiley67 in reply to Hidden]

am in the USA and there are none here.

[smiley67 in reply to PMRpro]

Medic Alert" bracelet is my best bet I can get one without a problem. they have them with a USB port. Then I can update as my meds change on my the computer.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to smiley67]

There you are then...

[Badgergirl in reply to smiley67]

Have you tried Boots pharmacy? That's where I get mine from. They usually have a good supply.

[smiley67 in reply to Badgergirl]

We don't have any Boots pharmacy here .

[Badgergirl in reply to smiley67]

Pity. Hoital pharmacies have them too though

[Badgergirl in reply to Badgergirl]

Sorry, I meant hospital

[Caroljoy60 in reply to smiley67]

I got a bracelet that I ordered to say "Adrenal Deficiency "

Will need steroids in Emergency.

Walgreens gave me a paper to order it from. You can order a card instead.

[jinasc]

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