Some advice please

[Janann25]

I posted a while ago about my difficulty with breathing and a possible diagnosis of COPD. Well, I saw a doctor last week - diagnosis was originally made by a practice nurse - because I found it hard to understand why I had developed COPD so quickly. He checked the results of my two lung function tests - the first one almost a year ago - and told me there was very little deterioration and didn't feel that I had COPD! Oh, wouldn't it be lovely if all the health professionals could agree on a diagnosis 😡 Anyway, to get back to my actual question - sorry for the rambling 😐 - I have finished my Increased dose of Pred to help with the breathing (I did 5 days @ 30mg, then 2 days @ 25mg, then 2@ 20mg, then 1 @18, then 1@ 16, returning to my original 14mg from then onwards). As I said, the breathing is under control but, as soon as I started the increased dose, I immediately had a return of the side effects I experienced at high doses, i.e. dizziness and occasional headache/pain. I've now been back on my 14mg for5 days but the side effects haven't gone. I'm due to fly to New York next Monday and just wonder whether to reduce again this week, to try to reduce these side effects or whether to stay on this dose to help me with the long flight. I flew to Florida in the Autumn whilst I was on 35/40mg Pred with no ill effects but just felt I should get this checked out. I will stagger my doses as I did flying to Florida and have booked airport assistance so I think Ive covered all other points.

It would be good if someone could let me know their thoughts on the actual Pred dose.

Thank you

Jan

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't think I would reduce before travelling - unless you really feel the reduction would help. If the side effects are persisting at 14mg it is doubtful they will disappear at 13mg but the change may be a bit much as well as the travel.

[Janann25 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you - yes, I’ll do as you suggest and stay on 14mg. Hopefully by next Monday, my body will have readjusted fully to the 14mg and the side effects will have sorted themselves out also. But I’ll keep to 14mg whilst I’m away and resume my very slow reduction when I get back.

Jan

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janann25]

It's a balancing act - and everyone is different!

[Neva117]

I took a 10-day trip to Montreal from LA a month after my PMR diagnosis. At the time, I was on 30 mg. I tried to cut back a bit, but I decided that for the time being, I wanted to enjoy my trip, so I stuck to my 30 mg, and had a great time. Then we flew to Los Vegas for 4 days. I ate seafood. ( my PMR symptoms began 2 days after I ate raw oysters. I grew up around eating seafood—I still believe that this triggered my pmr). I was in total agony, and had to rent a scooter. My advice is to keep on the dose where you are most functional. Enjoy your trip, and start slowly reducing your prednisone when you get home! Have a great trip!