120mg injection update

[Bridge31]

I had my injection on Friday. This morning I sat up and got out of bed in one swift movement. I would say in less than 48 hours I am 90 percent stiffness and pain free. Quite remarkable but how long can I expect it to last ?

[SheffieldJane]

I am not knowledgeable about intravenous treatment. I wonder if it would last about 6 weeks as if you were taking oral tablets of 20 mg strength? Can I ask why it was decided to treat you this way? Sorry if I have missed a post. It is great that you feel good and I would be interested in how you get along. Keep us posted.

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Mine lasted about 10 days before symptoms started returning. Rheumatologist said that was unusual so then he changed to 15 mg day of prednisolone. Which gave me similar relief.

[Bridge31 in reply to Hidden]

Unusual in that it didn’t last as long as your rheumatologist expected ?

I’m going on holiday for a week starting Thursday so hopefully it will last until I get home again.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Bridge31]

I wonder if he would let you have an emergency supply of Prednisalone tablets, just in case? It would be a shame to spoil your holiday with pain and stiffness. On the other hand you might feel great, I hope you do!

Sharp short shock doesn’t work for PMR as far as I can gather though. Has he told you his thinking for your future treatment?

[Bridge31 in reply to SheffieldJane]

No he hasn’t , I think he just tried the short, sharp shock to discover if it was PMR as opposed to pressure on my spine.

He has referred me to a neurologist to look at the MRI of my neck . I feel pretty sure it’s PMR though 🙁

[SheffieldJane in reply to Bridge31]

The trouble is that dose would initially help all our ills. 😬

Have a really good holiday, pace your activities. A change brightens everything.

[Bridge31 in reply to Hidden]

Spot on there Pastit. Exactly 10 days and I’m back to square one. My next appointment is not until two weeks on Friday.

[Bridge31 in reply to SheffieldJane]

My rheumatologist just said it was standard treatment and asked me to let him know how I got on . I see him again in 4 weeks time.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bridge31]

Might be standard for him, but not generally, I don’t think.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

It is A standard treatment. But it isn't used very often.

[Bridge31 in reply to PMRpro]

Well I do live in Norfolk 😂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

LOL

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SheffieldJane]

No you haven’t missed a post - I was going to ask same thing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Steroids for PMR aren't given i.v. - they are deep intramuscular injections that then release slowly in always decresing amount over a period of weeks or a couple of months depending on the initial dose.

[jinasc]

Reading through the posts I would add is that normally 15-20mg would be given. No matter.

I really do not understand why you have to wait for a Neuro to look at the MRI. Normally Consultant to Consultant is done before your appointment as s/he will have seen the MRI result before he saw you and if s/he was unsure...................odd.

However, you really need to ask your GP for a emergency supply or for a 'just in case' prescription.......providing you are on holiday in the UK.

[Bridge31 in reply to jinasc]

My appointment was only 3 days after the MRI so maybe that’s why. He said he was pretty sure it was fine but wanted to reassure himself more than me.

I had 120mg ( he said ) into my bottom so would that be the slow release ?

[Bridge31 in reply to Bridge31]

I’m going to Portugal for a week

[Telian in reply to Bridge31]

Hope you remain relatively pain free for your holiday. Best wishes.

[Bridge31 in reply to Telian]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It depends on the amount of pred and was it a deep intramuscular injection? An ordinary injection may last a few days, up to a couple of weeks or so. A deep i.m. injection can last up to a couple of months depending on the starting dose.

[Bridge31 in reply to PMRpro]

It was in my bottom and he said it was 120 mg

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

Then it SHOULD last for a month or so at least. But everyone is different.

[Bridge31 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. He did ask for my next appointment to be 4 weeks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

I know someone who managed GCA with injections - had severe gastric problems. They aren't widely known about - do tell us your experiences as it is useful information.

[Bridge31 in reply to PMRpro]

I will do. What sort of gastric problems were they ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

Sorry - I wasn't clear, they couldn't take oral pred because of a history of severe bleeding ulcers. Managed brilliantly with injections though.

[Bridge31]

Oh I see.. thank you

[tangocharlie]

My first injection lasted about 2.5 months

[Bridge31]

Pastit was spot on. Exactly 10 days and I’m back to square one. My next appointment is two weeks on Friday.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bridge31]

Sorry to hear it only lasted 10 days - back to the drawing board maybe!

[Bridge31 in reply to Bridge31]

I have to backtrack a little on my post from 5 days ago. I’m not back to square one, that must have been a particularly bad day . Although the pain has returned its nowhere near as bad as it was before my injection. Maybe the slow release is still working.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

Had you done a lot in the couple of days before?

[Bridge31 in reply to PMRpro]

Maybe. We were on holiday in Portugal and I do a scramble down some rocks to the beach !!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

I'd say that was a confirmatory answer ...

[Bridge31 in reply to PMRpro]

The injection has well and truly worn off now ....that’s 17 days.

Sitting on the edge of the sofa steeling myself to stand up. Sound familiar ? Come on girl, just do it !!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bridge31]

Go back to the GP you mean? Tablets do have positives!!!

[Bridge31 in reply to PMRpro]

No I meant just do it ... stand up. !!

I see my consultant a week on Friday and I’m fairly sure he will start me on tablets.

[Bridge31]

Did do