Self inflicted flare up

[Ladyoak]

I had a flare-up of my PMR over the last few days and had put it down to trauma after my horse being put to sleep. I was horrified to find out today that I had put my 1mg tablets into my 5 mg box so have been underdosing for days. I feel so stupid and it is a real wake up call to check my tablets. Hoping to feel better in a day or so now I am back on the right dose but kicking myself for losing it

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oh so easy to do - you aren't the first! Do you use a dosette box? A weekly or even monthly one helps avoid that sort of accident because you take out the 5mg pack and fill the box, put them away and do the 1mg tablets so you are less likely to put them back in the wrong box. About te only thing that can be said for all pred tablets being small and white is that they are easier to swallow and there is no colouring involved!!!

[Ladyoak in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, no I hadn't been using a box but may buy one now just to be on the safe side.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ladyoak]

I have a daily one as I must take something or other 5x a day - and I know very quickly if I missed something! Even with alarms for the 2 odd ones I have been known to switch the alarm off and not take it!

[jinasc in reply to PMRpro]

Me too 🤔

[herdysheep in reply to Ladyoak]

I would have been permanently missing or mixing up doses without the dossette boxes - now 2 of them! Better since going on to enteric coated pred as they are different colours, but of course you can't cut them. I try not to refill the box on brain fog days!

So sorry to read about your horse. Such a difficult decision to come to terms with, even when you know it is the right one.

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

I sometimes mix up the 2mg and the 1mg Lodotra tablets - they look so similar in the subdued light in the bedroom. Doesn't seem to make much difference for a day or two.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

I always look at the outside of the tub!!!! But I can also read the figures on the face of the tablet - handy being very shortsighted sometimes ...

[Constance13 in reply to PMRpro]

Me too when I refill my pill box but I still mix them up and put them in the wrong hole somehow. I've only been doing it for six years or so!!

[HappyDiamonds]

Easy mistake to make, hope you are feeling better now. Just wanted to say how sorry I am about your horse, its always a difficult decision to make and I totally understand how you are feeling. No doubt the stress was responsible for your error with the tablets. All the Best.

[Ladyoak in reply to HappyDiamonds]

Thank you, yes , it has been so traumatic, I haven't been functioning properly, but I know it was the right time for him. This forum is so great, just to talk about things. x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Oops! As PMRpro suggests - a dosette box - invaluable. Sort everything out for the coming week in one session - then you don’t need to worry about remembering every day!

Still use mine - even though only on Adcal D3 and a BP tablet nowadays - and a few other vitamin supplements.

[SheffieldJane]

I am glad you solved the mystery of your increasing symptoms. So sorry that you had to take the brave decision for your horse. If your symptoms don’t settle you could try the 5 mgs more than your usual dose for a week or so and then straight back down, to mop up the inflammation.

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I'm sorry about the loss of your pal.

[MrsNails]

Oh l’m so sorry about about the loss of your dear old pal, that must have been a real upset for you.

The Pill Box is invaluable - l have a weekly one but only use it for my Pred & refill on a Sunday, well away from ‘Tablet Time’ so l don’t get mixed up, it’s so easily done.

Big Hugs 🌺

[Smokygirl]

So so sorry about your loss. I’ve owned and bred horses all my life and they are family just like dogs and cats. It is always so stressful as you only want to do the right thing for them. Sending hugs xxx

[Pollynolongerinagony]

hello, what an horrific decision to have to make, to put your dear companion out of his misery, and of course in truth it is an act of great kindness. ... it is no wonder you muddled your tablets, so please be gentle with yourself and stop beating yourself up about it... grieving in the midst of a crippling flare is enough punishment for any poor soul. now with tis good advice, hopefully it will never happen again... on one of my foggy days i put salt on my hubby' s porridge instead of his usual sprinkling of sugar... he says it be quicker to have me put down than all this pmr kafuffle i'm going through ..... charmin! keep safe, get well soon and take great good care of yourself, you are very precious... spring will be here soon and mother nature will help heal many sorrows, best wishes, polly. or loopyloo as my hubby likes to call me... p.s. his days are numbered.