Cruise update

[PatB1948]

Hi everyone,

You may remember that I posted a few weeks ago whilst having trouble reducing from 20mg Pred. I followed instructions and reduced to 15mg but that was obviously too much so I went up to17.5mg and was still in pain. I then went back up to 20mg and was much better, I decided with advice from you all that I should wait until I came back from my cruise, which was imminent, to try reducing again, this was my intention. I am into the second week of the cruise and unfortunately after the first 5 days was feeling very ill, shivering and shaking and vomiting, so I consulted the ship's doctor who diagnosed a UTI and as the weather was bad and ship was rolling, he also thought I may have motion sickness. He gave me an anti sickness injection and 5 day course of anti biotics. I slept that night (Fri) and most of the next day but when fully awake again felt like I was having a flare. Sore head and temples both sides and head tender to touch.hips sore, shoulders sore and very fatigued. I had already had my 20mg Pred early that morning but I decided to take another 5mg which worked like magic in a few hours. I have continued on the 25mg since then and my dilemma is, should I carry on with the 25mg dose or go back to the 20mg. I seem to be going up instead of down. Can I have some comments from you good folk please.

Pat

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Pat,

Sorry to hear about your less than successful cruise.

Not sure how long you’ve been at 25mg, but if you feel alright, then it might be worth trying a drop to 22.5mg - at the moment 20mg might be a step too far.

It’s obviously going to take a little while to get over your recent mishaps, so don’t be in too much of a rush. I know it’s disappointing, but these things happen, so don’t get stressed about it, if you need a slightly bigger dose of Pred at the moment, then you have to take it.

Take care

[PatB1948 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, Dorset Lady, still on cruise until Sunday and don't have any 2.5's with me so I think I'll stick with the 25mg until I get home.

Pat

[Rugger in reply to PatB1948]

If your pred is plain, uncoated, the 5s can be cut to give you 2.5mg. Maybe the ship's medical centre will have a pill cutter if you really want to try before you get home.

I hope you've been able to enjoy some of your time onboard!

[PatB1948 in reply to Rugger]

No, it's the game enteric coated 5's I have as I have stomach problems. Have still enjoyed the cruise and eaten far too much! Thanks for reply.

Pat

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PatB1948]

Probably a good idea, but Rugger has given you solution if you want to try,

[Sandy1947]

Hope you’re feeling better. If high dose gives relief stay on it and enjoy the trip. Don’t rush to reduce.

[SheffieldJane]

I am glad you've rescued some enjoyment from your cruise. That seems an odd set of symptoms to be grouped under the UTI heading. Sounds more like Novo Virus or whatever they call the illness that spreads amongst close communities of people. I guess if something's going round we'll be first in line for it. I imagine you lost some of your Pred dose through sickness. Hence the flare like symptoms perhaps. I would bear that in mind before starting to taper. I might be inclined to stay with 25 mgs until I got back on dry land.