Advice re taking Pred

[Jean56]

Good morning. I have just spent an extremely unpleasant night, mostly in the bathroom, having eaten something that has disagreed with me. I’m still feeling very fragile, don’t want anything to eat but realise I need to take my daily dose of Pred. Question, what’s the best to do, take it now or wait until later in the day? The last time I took tablets late afternoon, I’d forgotten in the morning, I had the worst nightmare ever. Just to add to my joy we are staying with my step daughter and family and have to drive home today. So at some point will have to make the effort to tackle the M25 and head for the Sussex coast. At least my own bed will be waiting. Himself will be driving I hasten to add!

[Hidden]

Oooooo, tough one. Good luck whatever you decide to do. : (

[Jean56 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Horrible being ill in someone else’s home, even though it’s family. We’d had such a lovely few days with the grandchildren. Everyone else is ok, thank goodness. I just need to find the energy to get out of bed!

[Hidden in reply to Jean56]

Ohhhhh I know; been there done that! I don'y envy you and a long ride in the car.... but maybe just knowing you're going home will be enough to get you through. I'm happy you had a nice time with the grandchildren... enjoy the memories of that time with them. Feel better soon. xxx

[SheffieldJane]

It happened to me once. I took or had taken my Pred. And seemed to have absorbed it, so had no PMR rebound. I can’t remember what I took to line my stomach because they advise against dairy products with stomach trouble. Pred on an empty stomach is not great.Perhaps a plain biscuit if you aren’t on Omeprazole or similar. Poor you! Safe journey home, keep hydrated.

[PMRnewbie2017]

Hi Jean. I had a similar experience a few weeks ago, but I also take my pred (now 7mg) around 2am. I just swallow it with plenty of water and go back to sleep slightly propped up. After the tummy upset I took it at 9am on an empty stomach with as much water as I could tolerate. My experience is the effects of pred on our stomachs are slightly exaggerated and people worry unnecessarily. I'm not saying we shouldn't be mindful of the potential for gastric erosion and reflux but sometimes we have to be sensible. You are describing a one off situation and for me it was better to take the pred and put up with a bit of indigestion (treatable with Rennies or ranitidine) rather than miss the steroid dose.

Ps. People talk of lining the stomach. This is not actually physiologically or anatomically correct. Bit of an urban myth I'm afraid! I could go into a lot more detail but perhaps not now.

[HeronNS in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

However I've discovered that I can't take my bedtime calcium without a little food, even if it's only a couple of tablespoons of yoghurt. Hard to describe, I guess it's what people call "indigestion" which seldom afflicts me otherwise. So not an urban myth that a little food can go a long way towards making a medication or a supplement more comfortable in the stomach. Can't speak to pred as I've never taken it on an empty stomach. The time I had a similar experience to Jean56 I don't think I absorbed one dose, and didn't take the next until late the following day when I was reminded I hadn't by developing a persistent headache, and first thought about aspirin not pred (!) but by then I could keep food down.

I have experienced stomach bleeds from painkillers in the past so I for one would never take a chance, especially when so sternly warned to take a med with food!

[maria40 in reply to HeronNS]

I've just started taking my second Adcal at night just before bed as you suggested recently and have made it an excuse to have a couple of slivers of cheese. Good sleep and no nightmares.!

[Jean56]

Thank you. In the end I had a slice of dry toast at 11 and took my Pred. My brain wasn’t really working after the ghastly night, just couldn’t think straight. I also took the ranitidine. I was ok. Horrible drive back on the M25 feeling iffy. So good to be home.