Which GCA meds if any could increase urination?

[SomersetWife]

I'm sure I don't have an infection, I am drinking more water than before I started the GCA meds but I have to pee often (and sometimes urgently). I had same trouble when I tried taking a B12 supplement and read that this can have that effect if you have interstitial cystitis - I'm sure I read similar about Pred - but cannot find the reference again. Any help or advice gratefully received, thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It’s certainly a fairly comment side effects of Pred....and as you say there has been some discussion about in recently. You could try typing ‘urination’ into search box and see what comes up - unfortunately, we are apt to wonder off subject during replies - so it may not be useful.

Hopefully one the the originators will contact - but if you find a post interesting in future then “save” it - you can then access as you need to.

[SheffieldJane]

I would definitely have your blood sugars tested. Prednisalone can cause sugar spikes and that in turn can cause thirst and subsequent frequent urination. This can lead to steroid induced diabetes (2) as I have learned to my cost. Eliminating carbs, sugar and processed foods can help to prevent this outcome.

Calcium can cause bladder irritation.

[SomersetWife in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you - I must admit I did suspect the calcium as a potential culprit!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Pred can lead to increased urination, particularly a problem at night - but so can PMRGCA as well. I'd doubt pred causes an increased effect in interstitial cystitis because it is used to treat refractory IC.

Are you on a calcium supplement? That can lead to cystitis problems if it forms grit in the bladder.

[SomersetWife in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, yes I am on calcium supplement - something else to add to my list of questions for Wednesday's appointment.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SomersetWife]

I changed first and then stopped my calcium tablets some time back and since then have had almost no problems. The main reason was trying to fit them in with all my other medication which all has to be taken at very specific times!!!! But I did immediately make sure I was taking extra vit D and upped my calcium intake. The rheumy asked yesterday and I admitted I'd stopped, he straight away wrote a script for vit D but didn't make too much fuss.

[SomersetWife in reply to PMRpro]

Do you take vitamin K2 alongside your D3?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SomersetWife]

I don't, no.

[SomersetWife in reply to PMRpro]

Do you have any views on K2? I had been taking it for quite a while but with my husband’s health problems over the winter and two bereavements at the beginning of lockdown, I got out of my normal routine - have just restarted.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SomersetWife]

Not really - I don't take it because it is extremely expensive here where I live and I am also on anticoagulant therapy, the opinions on whether K2 is a factor there are mixed. I do eat full fat dairy products from grass-fed cows and all the meat I eat is also grass-fed and that is said to provide a source of K2

[SomersetWife in reply to PMRpro]

Indeed, your dietary sources are good. I think, on balance, I’ll stick with it, but not if I need anti-coagulants in the future.

[baxternoni in reply to SomersetWife]

I take D with K2 combination. This is what my nutritionist recommended. I think you get better absorption.

[baxternoni in reply to SomersetWife]

I also take D-Mannose to prevent UTI.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

I think I went to the loo 7-8 times last night! Been taking Pred, Omeprazole and Calcium tablets for 3 weeks.

[SomersetWife in reply to Hidden]

Oh no! Since writing the original post, I have talked to my Doctor about reducing my calcium/vit D supplement and that seems to have solved the problem of needing to pee all the time - thank goodness. I am adding in some extra vit d3 though as the supplement is now only 1000mg calcium and 880iu D3 - it is also, one big tablet, which I am breaking in half and taking post lunch and dinner so I only get an extra 500mg calcium each time. Re the Omeprazole, I have long suspected with all my digestive troubles, that I am actually low on stomach acid. Stopping the Omeprazole stopped the really painful gas and bloating (and associated problems!!) almost completely after 2 days and now, my tummy is back to normal. I am following the advice of others and taking my pred right after breakfast, followed immediately by a small bowl of thick greek yoghurt - job done! Hope your nocturnal problem will be soon resolved, it's tiring enough without having broken sleep all night!

[Hidden]

I would speak to your pharmacist and seek advice. Many of us take prednisilone in this group, however we do not share the other drugs we take. I take 9! Prednisilone and then other drugs to combat the effects of a he steroid and prescribed supplements and I address some of the mineral deficiencies. There are many interactions between these POWERFUL as well as individual side effects from the items individually.

My greatest fear in regard to taking lay advice is that it is anecdotal and based upon personal experience and without taking into account all of the elements.