Hi all, still up and down on Prednisolone and now still on 7mg again but I have lots of hip and back pain and down the backs of my legs. I have usually taken my Pred after/with lunch, but reading some posts today I see lots take their Pred early morning. I am wondering if It would help if I took it earlier. I also take Thyroxine and Lisinopril tabs. Does anyone else take other tabs ? and do you take them all together ?
Thank you
Jules x
Hello, there are two sorts of early that people use. First is early early like 2-3am in order for peak blood concentration to coincide with the 4am peak rise in inflammatory substances called cytokines which cause the trouble. Then there’s merely early where it is an hour or two before rising to coincide with when mobility is needed. Then there are all sorts of other times in between that people choose for their own reasons. When you get towards 5mg the endocrinologists like a morning dose because they think it is more conducive to adrenal axis awakening. If you take enteric coated you need to add about another 3 hours or so to the delay.
Aside from all that, the question is, do you get any relief at any point from the pain?
Others will reply about the pill juggling.
I was advised to take Thyroxine on an empty stomach, hours away from anything else. I must say this threw me after taking it any old time for the last 30 + years. Attempting to achieve this is hard and leads me to forget. This is because I take Prednisalone first thing, with plain organic yoghurt and a little local honey. I think of it as my “ waking up” pill. Literally it loosens my body and stops the PMR pain before it starts. I then take Thyroxine before any light lunch.
7 mgs is a tricky dose to get down from. I am tentatively on 5.5 mgs and have some break through pain and lots of fatigue. You will know I guess, that your own Adrenal glands have to start waking up, at these sort of doses. That alone can make you feel tired and low.
I have also noticed an increase in arthritic pain, particularly due to the newly diagnosed Osteoarthritis in both knees. I currently have lower back pain on my left side. I am regarding this as age related and a result of being more sedentary during the last 12 months, not as an indication that I need more Pred. Perhaps you should have some X Rays or an MRI scan and a Dexa scan ( bone density). Then you will know what you are up against and how best to deal with it. Unfortunately other things have been merrily developing away whilst PMR and Pred have been in charge.
Clearly, if you are beginning to feel as you did upon diagnosis, then the only remedy is an increase in Pred. It’s all very unfair! Good luck.
"Osteoarthritis in both knees"
Try Flexiseq. I have osteo in both knees - ARC developed with a German Company, this Bio Mechanical Gel - all I can tell you is it works like WD40.
I have sent for some ( not cheap is it?) Thanks for the tip, the pain is relentless.
I find Flexiseq has considerably reduced swelling in my OA knees. Try EBay, I have purchased it for £11 but usually it’s around £14 - but still cheaper than a Pharmacy.
I have found that a pack of 4 from Amazon maximum strength has worked out cheaper the last two times. Except when Boots had a sale for £9.50 and I bought the whole lot. Lasted me six months.
I always check the web before I buy, as the price seems to vary. When it first came out it was £32 for 2 tubes from the ARC shop, but £6 of that went direct to ARC research. At that time only Lloyds sold it at around £18 but of that £3 went to ARC.
Hi Jules
The Medics recommend you take it before 9am to mimic your body’s production, l always take mine by 8am. Some people like to wake early to take it, to prevent morning stiffness.
I take quite a few other Meds & a chat with your local Pharmacist is always helpful as they can guide you re interactions. Our Calcium Tablets prevent the absorption of Prednisolone.
Remember
Pred for Breakfast, Calcium/VitD for Lunch & Dinner. @PMRPro
Good Luck 🍀
MrsN
Good Morning
I know nothing about this. Having staggered out of bed to make tea so stiff I could 😢I wonder if I am missing out on something. Stuffing fat self with Turmeric and tried the CBD both useless, I will try anything.
Off to see the Physio this afternoon, pure agony but at least my balance is improving Rx🥂🥂
PMRpro’s wise words- not mine!
Does sound like you though! 😘
I think we’re on the same wavelength- whether that’s good or bad I’m not sure 😳😂🤣😂
I'd say it was pretty good...
Me Too!
Jules
Go talk to your pharmacist and discuss when you should take your myriad of tablets.
They are the only people who know more about meds than anyone else. They can tell you about contra-indicators etc.
My Pharmacist has even rung the GP on occasions and said, sorry not this drug, we need another as the new was not compatible with the old.
Once on meds, your pharmacist becomes your best friend.
At around the 7mg dose your adrenals will be trying to awaken and can cause fatigue that you thought had gone. This is when you might need to really slow your reductions. I've always taken my pred early and is the best for me. See Snazzy's explanation of when to take. I take other meds, including cancer but not Thyroxine, the only one not to take with pred is calcium - leave at least 2 hours apart.
Hi and thank you so much for all replies. I have just spoken to my Pharmacist and she has said take Thyroxine first thing ( you don’t need food with this ) and then half hour later take the others ( with food ) I can also take any vit tabs at the same time. I will try this and hope it makes a difference. I got down to 5mg Pred just before Christmas, but early January was not so good so went up again and back to 7mg don’t feel so tired now, and maybe as someone mentioned the pain is not all PMR ! Happy Days !
Great, but not Calcium that needs to be at least two hours after Pred x
Hi Mrs Nails, thanks for your replies, I stopped taking the Calcium as it gave me terrible pain / wind and when I had a Dexa scan I was ok. Jx
That’s fine x Glad you got all your Meds sorted & always check in with the Pharmacist if you are ever prescribed anything else x
But really you need the calcium and vit D to remain OK! Pred makes you lose more calcium through the kidneys, you need more somehow to givee the body the best chance to stay OK. Try to make sure you get plenty of calcium rich foods, get your vit D checked to be sure that is also OK (that is important) and maybe try other brands of calcium. Also always take it with a meal as that does make a difference.
Maybe I will try Calcium again, I hated that alandronic acid
The inflammation starts in the very early morning - the sooner after about 4.30am you take the pred, the less inflammation has been created and the less your pred must do. Thyroxine can be taken at night and that is found my many to work better and it is well away from the pred for PMR.
Thank you PMRPro x
I take Lisinopril and Plavix with my prednisone around 7am.
Advice needed please
New to pmr, advice please 
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Advice please
