Minor victory - 1mg pred

[Oxford8]

After trying to taper pred too quickly I took advice from on here and slowed it down. My GP wouldn't prescribe 1mg pred so I invested in pill cutter and was chopping up 2 and a half mg tablets 'til I got down to 10mg per day. My Rheumy wtote to my GP asking him to prescribe 1mg tabs but my prescription came through with the usual higher doses.

I telephoned to query that - and was asked to go in for a review yesterday.

I took in my trusty pill cutter with its assortment of chopped up pills. Doctor took one look and said. OK I think I'd better prescribe some 1mg prednisolone for you.

A s I said, a minor triumph but a chance for a more even taper even further down the pred med scale.

🌷🌹

[Louisepenygraig]

A victory for you but such a pity he wouldn't just prescribe 1mg for you without all the hassle

[Longtimer]

Well done, but a minor triumph you should not have had to fight for!I

What was your doctor's reasoning by not prescribing 1mg?........ridiculous...

[Oxford8 in reply to Longtimer]

I have no idea of GP's reasoning, except that they don't like the rheumatologist dictating things. To be fair, GP has followed Rjeumy's advice on organising a bone density scan (next week), and an

MRI scan of my lumbar spine.

[Longtimer in reply to Oxford8]

Ok, good luck with your scans.....

[SnazzyD]

So, why on Earth was a pill cutter and a selection of chopped pills evidence worth acting on and not your or the Rheumy’s word?

[Oxford8 in reply to SnazzyD]

😟🙄

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

What a strange GP!

Pity you didn’t tell him before that 1mg tablets are a lot cheaper than 2.5mg.

Surely that’s a good enough reason (in these times of budgets, budgets, budgets) - never mind making it easier for you!

Glad it’s sorted now.

[Oxford8 in reply to DorsetLady]

I just think that he had no understanding of PMR and thought I was being a Princess by insisting on a slow taper. 🤔😟

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Oxford8]

More than likely! Some do get a bit miffed if you don’t follow their rules to the T!

The patient knows best! - not in their eyes.

Oh well you’ve got it sorted now so that’s good.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Why do they have to be so pig-headed?

[Rimmy in reply to PMRpro]

I'd like to know THAT too PMRpro !! There are so many examples here of the 'power and control' 'deafness' of some medicos - it is really appalling. But some of them clearly won't be questioned in any way shape or form as they feel it undermines their egos and 'questions' their professional knowledge. It is interesting when I told someone I know only slightly that I feel very comfortable to 'expect' a 'consultation' in the true sense of the word with anyone medical that she was HORRIFIED that I had such (I thought 'equitable') expectations. Of course we should respect that those who are meant to be treating us and our health have the appropriate training and experience - but when they say or do something completely at odds with even their own paradigm (of current research and 'science') I am not averse to questioning that and would not let them 'saw off' the wrong leg in an operation (if I could help it that is). It is also clear to me that more of us in the 21st Century are well educated, recognise the difference between 'junk info' and peer reviewed research and are perfectly capable of posing intelligent questions and making sensible contributions to our own treatment(s) - so that our doctors are no longer unassailable 'gods' and shouldn't be put on the ridiculous 'pedestals' !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rimmy]

Sarah Mackie in Leeds is adamant that care of PMR/GCA must be shared between doctor and patient. We are both part of a group looking at certain aspects of rheumatology research - and it includes a percentage of patients whose opinions and votes are taken as equal to those of doctors and other healthcare professionals. In fact, there was talk at one meeting that the patients' votes should have extra weighting in some circumstances.

[Rugger in reply to PMRpro]

I am fortunate to have Sarah Mackie as my Rheumatologist. When I am in her clinic I feel able to share my perspective on my PMR and have a dialogue with her, without feeling either intimidated or embarrassed.

On Thursday, I and 7 other patients are taking part in a focus group to help Sarah and her research team with a funding bid for a research project.

I am also blessed to have a GP who treats me similarly and who thanked me when I told him that 1mg gastro-coated pred tablets are available!

[peace_lover]

And 1mg are large enough to cut easily into half and taper even more slowly! Success!

[Telian]

Well done but what an an unnecessary fuss.

[Bronni]

That makes me appreciate my gp and rheumy, who are pretty clueless, but will do whatever I ask!

[SheffieldJane]

I admire your pluck and determination, Oxford8! 💐

[Pollyanna16]

Heavens above 😣

[Hidden]

Well done. I have a similar problem with my docs pharmacy! So I'll have to book an appointment with a dr & waste their time!

[Oxford8 in reply to Hidden]

Oh! What a nuisance. Good luck with it. 🌹

[Oxford8 in reply to Hidden]

😟🙁Good luck. 🌷

[Hidden in reply to Oxford8]

Always looking to save their time & my own! They have their own agenda on this one & how the practice works!!!

[fairy100]

Thanks for your post, I will have to go through asking my GP for 1mg tablets when I go down from 10mg to 9mg (only have 5mg so pill cutting not an option) in the next couple of weeks. I do hope I do not have to go through your experience. Will post if I have any difficulties.

[Hidden]

What a Silly Man (presume it was a man!) You need the three strengths then you can taper accordingly & save cutting!

Good Luck with the next taper 🍀

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

A few "Silly Women" Drs out there too Mrs N! Just saying!

[Patience47 in reply to Hidden]

Indeed, I had one..

[Valnvaughan]

GPs!!!!!🤦‍♀️🤬

[PMRCanada]

My GP prescribed me 1mg pills when my (former) rheumy wouldn’t. He just told me not to mention it to her and reduce at my own pace. He is just looking for any level of reduction at my appointments every three months with a goal of eventually getting to 5mg if I can. No timelines, no race to 0.

[Oxford8 in reply to PMRCanada]

Sensible GP. 🙂🌷

[Jackoh]

You couldn’t make this up could you? 😱

[Oxford8 in reply to Jackoh]

No! 😭😢🤣