Question on preds

[Lonsdalelass]

Hi there, I have read suggestions about asking my dr for gastro-resistant preds so I wouldn't need to take lansaprozole (think thats the right spelling!) which i currently take an hour before the steroids. My question is this: are these gastro-resistant ones big, as I am not great with taking big pills. Yeah I know, right wuss aren't I? I can manage the lansaprozole, but if I can get away with one less pill to take I reckon its got to be better? Someone mentioned the eneteric coated ones, or something like that? And do they work better if taken at night or morning? Any clarification would be good, as I need to ask for more in the morning when I go to get bloods and flu jab, as I won't have enough until i see the dr again on Monday.

[piglette]

The enteric coated ones are tiny, you could take them without water they are so small. You can get them in 5mg, 2.5mg and 1mg. It is normally recommended you take them in the morning with food.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to piglette]

Ah thank you, reassuring to know.

[Marilyn1959 in reply to Lonsdalelass]

Yes they are very small, and because they are coated they are easier to swallow. I am a wuss like you re swallowing tablets so can recommend the coated tablets.

[Lonsdalelass in reply to Marilyn1959]

Thank you for that, glad I am not the only wuss around here, ha!

[Hidden in reply to Lonsdalelass]

chucle ,chuckle, a lovely day, and something to make you smile, its made my day. ps. I take mine with yogurt, thanks to this column, with their experience, lansaprozole! NO, lansoprazole ,that effected my stomach and others, so thus the yogurt. Have a nice day, John

[Rugger]

Yes, easy to take. They're like teeny Smarties - red, brown and off-white in the 3 different strengths.

I take mine as a split dose, taking the larger amount at night so that the pred will be in my system in the early hours of the morning when the inflammation kicks in. (eg 7mg dose = 5mg at night and 2x1mg with breakfast.) At night, I take it with a couple of spoons of yoghurt, even though it's coated to protect the stomach and the pred isn't released until lower down in my intestines.

We're all different, but this regime suits me, as I feel pred doesn't last 24 hours for me and I need a top-up, whatever time I take the tablets.

[marigoldb]

I also take the enteric coated, as have had gastritis in the past. Tiny tablets, so easy to swallow. My GP wasn’t that keen, as research apparently shows it s not definite how much is actually absorbed lower in the intestines.

Suits me anyway, and I take my 5mg with cuppa and biscuit early am. Well early for me 8 am!

[maria40]

I have recently found that the enteric coated tablets, which are tiny and easy to swallow, as well as being colour coded according to dose: 5mg red, 2.5mg brown, 1mg yellow, are for me best taken when nature wakes me in the early hours, usually around 4.30. I take them with a few spoons of yogurt and find they are taking effect by the time I get going in the morning.

[Lonsdalelass]

Thank you to all your replies. I am collecting my new preds later today.

[Lonsdalelass]

Hello, just thought I would post a few words having been to collect my new preds..........got my bloods taken this morning and the nurse added my request for more preds, but gastro-resistant ones. She also had made a note that I hadn't been taking the Alendronic acid pill. So when I collected my prescription this afternoon, guess what......it wasn't for gastro-resistant preds! So I ended up having to see the dr who said they were expensive and didn't normally prescribe them, but that he would if I really wanted them (er, thats why I asked the nurse this morning!!) And then he proceeded to question me, along with another dr, about not taking the AA. I said i wanted a bone scan first (thank god for this site) but he wasn't keen and implied my bones would probably show they are ok at the mo, to which I replied well that's why I wouldn 't need to pop another pill in that case. I know he is just trying to do his job and prevent bone fracture but I really wish he would try to listen more and show more empathy, I felt a bit brow-beaten to be honest having two drs advising me against my wishes. Anyway, the good news is that I got what I wanted, both gastro-resistant preds and a referral for a bone scan, and its all thanks to you lot on this great forum! I have another drs appointment on Monday to discuss blood results, and I intend to take my ipad and downloaded document posted by one of our great members yesterday, from i think the PMR Northeast site, that has guidelines on for treatment of PMR and show them that!! It says anyone under 65 should have a bone scan at outset to determine baseline. Hooray!!

[piglette in reply to Lonsdalelass]

That is absolutely fantastic news. You really must have stuck to your guns, well done.

[Mike1964]

Hi Lonsdalelass, only 2 words, well done. Kind regards, Mike

[Lonsdalelass]

Thank you both!