Reducing prednisolone

[Pippah45]

On my way down from 50mg for a while now I got to 25mg for two weeks and then to 20mg. Not sure if it's the pred but I have one quite swollen gland in my neck and jaw is uncomfortable. I feel that perhaps a tooth is going to become infected or my ear? A cold threatening perhaps. At first I didn't think of the prednisolone reduction but wondering now!? There was a certain amount of stress too as I almost ran out - and FINALLY understand the Pharmacy. While the renewal date for the pred was on the packet as 4 weeks in advance I suddenly realised I only had 2 weeks worth! They had guessed my dose - I ask you! They gave me grief last time I nearly ran out and they wanted notice to give them to me - fearsome ladies! Thanks in advance.

[SnazzyD]

Hello, a swollen gland is not a Pred side effect or withdrawal symptom directly but a sign of infection possibly due to being immunosupressed by the Pred. Why now? Why not now? It may be dental or something to do with ear, nose or throat. It may be bacterial or viral. You need to be examined really and any other signs taken into account.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They GUESSED the dose?

And I echo everything Snazzy has said. Are you sure it is a gland? Swelling can be a symptom in GCA - all depends where it is affecting.

[Pippah45 in reply to PMRpro]

GUESSED! Yes! funny how various pharmacists in Scotland found out my dose! And the pharmacy at home is part of the surgery! Admittedly one direction from the GP says "as directed". A friend regularly collects his Mum's meds and they aren't always in the right place. Last time he said look under Elizabeth and was sharply told off. Filed under Elizabeth! Brilliant or what!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pippah45]

I'd feel a complaint coming on ...

[Chihuahua1]

Hello Pippah45

I'm sorry to hear you're having issues. First of all if you are running short of your preds I suggest you ask your surgery for a telephone callback from your GP and ask him for a repeat prescription, explaining that the last one only covered you for about 2 weeks.Secondly ask to see the GP to check that your swollen neck gland is not linked to GCA, which can start in that way. Thirdly don't try and reduce too quickly. It is suggested that you don't reduce at more than 10% at a time, because it can cause an adverse reaction and wait at least another 3 or 4 weeks before reducing further. Slow and steady is the best way. If necessary do not be afraid of increasing the dose of pred again if you suffer any adverse reactions to the reduction. Good luck.

[Pippah45]

Hi Chihuahua - thank you for your reply. I tried to make a GP appointment yesterday but was fobbed off onto a nurse - it was done before I realised what had happened! Anyway she was very nice and quite clear the issue is with the jaw - so presumably GCA? I am to go back if it doesn't improve. Well it hasn't got worse so I am guessing there is no infection there, however it is worse in the morning - before the preds kick in - so I think going up might be the answer. I dropped the repeat prescription request and included a note stating what my dose is - and hope they can count this time! Thank you for the tip about a phone call to the doc to get a new prescription.

I can't help but wondering if the Pharmacy has marked my card as I did report them earlier this year. I had collected a prescription from the GP can't remember if it was for preds or anti biotics but I wasn't feeling at all well. When I got home I found the pack contained some skin cream I had been prescribed before Christmas last year but was out of stock - and by the time I had gone to France to bury my brother before Christmas and got home I had completely forgotten the cream! Anyway I went back again - its nearly 5 miles from home - and the old Battleaxe tried to tell me I couldn't have my pills unless she had the cream back. I explained the mileage and how ill I felt - but she wasn't giving - so I point blank told her I was not leaving without my pills and I would bring the cream back the next day (it was of course only going in the bin!). I also suggested I needed an apology which wasn't forthcoming so she told me the Practice Manager's name to make my complaint! You might think they would understand that people collecting medicine aren't feeling OK! It's probably time I switched to Boots for collecting my meds although it is a bit less convenient.