Split dosage for residual PMR pains

[Verwood]

Hi Looking for advise on possible effect of splitting my Preds dosage.

I have had a great reduction in pain and stiffness but still have mild pain in my right shoulder in the morning, and this continues till about 2 hours after taking my Preds.

Has any body had any success with similar residual pains by splitting the dose., i.e 75% in the morning 25% late night. Ask the doctor and he said give it a try. but don't want to try if I am risking a relapse, any advise would be most welcome.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Usual recommendation is 2/3rd am, 1/3rd pm - that way you have the residue from the evening’s dose to help before the morning one kicks in.

But to be honest the initial dose (which I guess you are still on) should be giving you better relief - unless you are one of those patients that -

a, doesn’t get full benefit of dose either because it doesn’t last 24 hours, or you body doesn’t metabolise it as well as others - or

b. you are still trying to carry on as normal.

I don’t want to discourage you to try a new way, but personally I would want the protocol you’re on to be controlling things without having to fiddle with timings.

But of course it’s your choice, so try splitting and see if you get a better result - if so, then good. But please don’t consider tapering until you have symptoms controlled.

[Verwood in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi DL,

Doctor was of the opinion that I may be metabolizing the Preds fast, as I am only 56 and 6ft 2inch tall and reasonable fit and well as he said ( except the PMR )

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Verwood]

Yes that could be true.

Well it’s worth giving it a go - what worked for me, or works for anybody else on here doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you - or vice versa.

So you won’t know until you try - so try and see...and let us know please....and good luck!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It works for some people and may save them upping the dose to manage returning pains. As DL says, 2/3 and 1/3 is a common split but everyone is different. It is because the antiinflammatory effect lasts between 12 and 36 hours depending on the person - if you are towards the 12 hour end the pain will start to return inside 24 hours.

You may have to experiment a bit to find the ideal for you.

[Verwood in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your advice will give it a try for a few day let you know the results.

[_multistrada]

I always split mine am pm it helps a lot

[Alebeau]

I have been splitting my dose for 7 months now - best thing I ever did. Pain free all day and night. I take half in the morning and half at night.