GCA splitting pred dose

[Rosina1871]

I’ve been on 50mg of pred for 9 days now, 45mg before that for a couple of weeks. Symptoms much improved but later in the day and into the night I’m getting some discomfort on the left side if my head where it all started. I’ve thought of splitting the dose. Any suggestions/advice appreciated. Thanks

[jinasc]

It looks as though your current dose is not high enough. If the symptoms are still recurring you are not on a high enough dose to get that inflammation under control.

You started on 45mg for two weeks and it was upped to 50mg and still not holding.

The dose should last 24 hours. Splitting comes much further down the line, if necessary. % years with GCA and I never split the dose.

You need to speak to your medics, preferably your Rheumatologist today.

I started on 60mg and was on that dose for at least one month.

Pick up that phone please.

BTW: I am in remission.

[Rosina1871 in reply to jinasc]

Ok thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Ditto to jinasc reply.....and usually it’s not recommended that dose be split in GCA symptoms - particularly early days.

There is some discussion on splitting, some say no, others say yes, but having been there I would say no.

Also in remission.

[Rosina1871 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks. Tried to phone rheumatologist. Going to phone back before Monday. Taken an extra five and see how it goes. No other symptoms

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rosina1871]

Good idea.....hope that works for you.

[RoadTrip]

I started on 70 mg for GCA. Have generally found that my PRED dose runs out towards the end of the day. My private Rheumatologist suggested I split doses, which I did for a number of weeks, as you can see on my profile. I found this was a great help and cleared up the evening problems.

My hospital Rheumatologist not at all happy with split dose, so I reverted to single dose but changed time of dose from 8 am in the morning to 2am. I was awake at this time anyway due to insomnia from the PRED and this time means the inflammation is moped up as soon as it starts being produced around 4-4:30am.

[Rosina1871 in reply to RoadTrip]

Thanks for your reply. I guess we all react a little differently to pred.

[LaPainting in reply to RoadTrip]

Are you still struggling with insomnia as I am waiting to start pred and I already have insomnia.x

[Rosina1871 in reply to LaPainting]

I don’t have insomnia. Just the opposite at night !

[RoadTrip in reply to LaPainting]

On lower doses now, still taking pred at 2 am but regularly getting 7-8 hours sleep a night, albeit divided into two parts. So it does get better👍