Splitting Pred dose

[jaycee444]

Am continuing on my Pred journey with a second month at 15mg which is working fine until the early hours. Some of you have suggested I split the dose 10/5. Can you please give me some advice as to how that would work? I normally take my Prednisolone at 5am with a big bowl of Greek yoghurt as I have a sensitive stomach. Presumably I would take 10mg then and 5 later in the day. At what time would you recommend that bearing in mind that I again would have to have yoghurt with it to protect my stomach so it would seem seems strange to be eating just before I go to bed?

I did try the gastro coated but they took so long to kick in that I went back to uncoated and yoghurt as recommended here. I know I could experiment with altering times for those but to be honest it suits me to use the uncoated.

[SheffieldJane]

What is your difficulty with the present regime you are on?

Do you find that your Pred wears off in the early evening for instance?

I take my uncoated tablets early in the morning with yoghurt, as you do. This has worked pretty well for me, as long as I pace my activities. 3 years PMR currently on 5mgs.

[jaycee444 in reply to SheffieldJane]

By the end of the evening I can feel there is pain and stiffness starting to creep in and this increases overnight. It is nowhere as near bad as my original pain but was hoping there might be a better way to manage things.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jaycee444]

You could still take 5mg in the evening with just a spoonful of yogurt - don’t need a great deal.

If you have been taking 15mg for a month, and now you are having problems, could be that dose is not quite enough.

Try splitting dose first, and if that doesn’t work you might find an increase is required. But are you making sure you are not try to return to normal life just because you’re on the medication. The Pred is only addressing the inflammation part of PMR, not the underlying disease itself.

[jaycee444 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hmmmm........ am trying to take it easy but its sooooo difficult as Ive always been so active (which Im sure applies to most of us) so its hit me hard I will however try to pace myself more than I have been as I do realise Im probably not doing myself any favours. Thankyou for the advice about splitting the dose.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jaycee444]

Ok. It does take some time to get used to new life, but the sooner you do, the easier everything becomes.

[Cyclegirl54 in reply to jaycee444]

My mantra ... slow down and keep calm!

All the best🌸

[Robinsnest72]

Have split my dose. I take 7 in the morning when I get up around 6:30 and 3 about 8:30 in evening. Works for me

[jaycee444 in reply to Robinsnest72]

Thanks for your reply. Am guessing my best bet is to split 10 early in morning and 5 in the evening. I will give it a go and see if it improves the situation. Not that I am grumbling. Anything is better than the pain I was in originally....

[jaycee444 in reply to jaycee444]

As I am so early into the treatment - this is my 4th week.....is it ok to go ahead and do that?

[Robinsnest72 in reply to jaycee444]

The doctor wanted me to take it all at once but if I do that I am in pain in the mornings. You have to do what works best for you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to jaycee444]

Recommended time is morning and all in one, but that doesn’t work for everyone.

However, as you are only 4 weeks in I would still consider it may not be enough. Either that, or as you admit, you are trying to return to ‘normal’ life. The Pred is only addressing the inflammation side of PMR not the underlying illness - you must remember that.

I might try giving yourself a week really resting and not doing too much - and see if things improve before you start juggling with times.

[123456Evita]

Hi. I am now on 13mg. I take 7mg at 6 am. Second dose of 6mg at midday. I have split my dose for many months and this works well for me