PMR pain gone but...

[Blues1]

I am still struggling with the Prednisolone. Changed to coated but still having stomach pains and swelling of abdomen. Feeling giddy and spaced out. 25 mg but will do next drop to 20 next week all being well. I took on board dose splitting and started that yesterday took 3 tabs after breakfast and 2 before bed at 10.30. Felt ill all afternoon yesterday but woke up bit better this morning. All trial and error I know.

[SheffieldJane]

If you jot down how you feel it might help to make sense of it all. I think a 5 mg drop sounds steep and would advise doing it in two 2.5 steps ( pill cutter). I know you want to get down but more gradual drops seem to stick. Hang on to that “ feeling better” in the morning. You’re doing something right.

[jinasc]

Try this for stomach

One lemon, microwave for 1 minute - loads of juice, divide by three and take with water before a meal.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As Jane says 5mg drop maybe too much - but you cannot cut coated tablets. Either requested smaller dose coated ones, or if you have them you could use up any non coated ones - the majority of your dose would still be enteric ones.

[Soraya_PMR]

3 tabs (15mg) in the morning would have caused the yucky afternoon, as your body is used to getting 5 tabs (25mg).

Sounds like the 10mg at night has helped your morning.

Should even out now, and your body won’t be ‘withdrawing’.....until the next drop.

Don’t attempt next drop til the split has stabilised. Or you won’t know what is causing what.

[Hidden]

You said you have IBS in another post. It might be the inordinate amount of stress you are under that is causing a flare of that. Hopefully once your body gets used to a split dose it will settle. You need to try and get some you time to rest and recuperate a little. An 80mile round trip won't help and if you don't rest a bit you won't be able to do that. So slow taper, stay where you are for the moment until body settles and keep in touch.

[Soraya_PMR]

Are you on any other meds?

Has GP examined your swollen abdo?

[Blues1 in reply to Soraya_PMR]

On lisinopril and propranolol for blood pressure . Showed doctor swollen abdominal couple of weeks back . He didn't really comment but it was then he gave me the reduction plan. Today has been better than yesterday still exhausted this afternoon but stomach not so sore. Second day of split dose.not made another appointment with doctor yet.

[Whippetygirl]

My doctor lowered my Pred from 20mgs to 15mgs and three days later I felt I had been hit by a train. My PMR came back with a vengeance and going back up to 20mgs did not touch it so I am on 25mgs which has almost settled it. So please be careful with such a big drop.

[Blues1 in reply to Whippetygirl]

Splitting the dose was a mistake I took 3 in the morning 2 before bed for 3 days. Body not ready for the drop in the morning I have felt awful last few days. Now back on 25 mg dose in morning. Aches and weak legs back with a vengeance. Also brain fog. Coated tablets definitely better for stomach so that's my positive thought for the day.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blues1]

If you change doses around it is better to take your time and do it 1mg at a time. And never MISS any of a dose, double it up while shifting around.