Changing the timing of Pred and that 2:00 am suggestion

[Sunnyday365]

Hello, new here and appreciative of everyone's insights! I have read multiple posts on the timing of taking Pred and would love thoughts on the following; I am currently taking 11mg and doing ok but I think I would benefit from taking it at 2:00 am but am currently at 6:00 am, can I just start at 2:00 tomorrow or should I take a few days and work my way earlier by an hour or so? Also, I have read that around 7mg I should not be taking the Pred at 2:00 am (need to read more and process that) even though that may be months away should I be concerned with that right now? And again, when I get to that 7mg taper can I just change the time ? Thanks so much...

[jinasc]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

This is under the FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions. It is a good read.

[Sunnyday365 in reply to jinasc]

Thank you - yes that's the original post I read, that prompted my questions.

[piglette]

I normally take mine at 2am with a piece of hard cheese. I cannot see why you should not just move to that time. I have never heard of not taking pred at 2am at 7mg. Pred. Seems strange. I have been taking it then and I am now at 2mg.

[Sunnyday365 in reply to piglette]

thank you

[butterflyfarm in reply to piglette]

I am puzzled by the 2 am timing. How do you do that, do you set your alarm clock to wake you up and does that not disturb your partner? I was advised to take my pred with breakfast, but am interested regarding this different regime and how it may work better for me. I am currently on 12.5 just reduced from 15, then down to 10 in another 2 weeks time.

[piglette in reply to butterflyfarm]

I just go to bed late and take ages preparing for bed. Beautifying myself, moisturising my face, doing up my hands and nails, softening my lips, reading my book, checking social media, listening to the Archers!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

jinasc has given you a good link….and tbh I wouldn’t be worrying about 7mg and timings of Pred when you get there…. a lot of bridges to cross before you get there, think about it then!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Taking the dose a bit earlier isn't ever a problem - getting to a later time might be but it is what many of us do when travelling and we just take a bit extra at the 24 hour stage to carry us to the new time we want to move to.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

PS - the low level of pred is needed at midnight-ish to encourage the adrenal system to produce its own cortisol. Taking it at 2am is late enough for the natural trigger for cortisol to be unaffected.

[Meggsy]

I have been taking mine at 3am for over 3 years. Presently 3.5 mg.

[Sunnyday365 in reply to Meggsy]

great to know, thank you for the reply.

[Cazdud]

I'm on 3mg after 3 years. Used to take in the morning when I wake up but always woke up with pain so tried taking at night before bedtime and now feel less pain when I get up.

[larkthebark]

Taking my pred at 2 am was a game changer for me and drastically reduced my morning discomfort. Thanks to this wonderful site !!!!!!I swopped from 6am to 2am over 24 hours. Should not be a problem for you to change over.

I did not set my alarm as I always wake up in the night at least once so sometimes it was a bit later but never much after 4am. I took yogurt in a cool bag up to bed with me and soon got back to sleep whilst the pred started to work.

Now I am on 5 mgs I have stopped my night time routine simply because my pain is almost gone so no need and take it in the morning with breakfast.

I did read that below 7.5 you should take it later to help wake up adrenals but as PMR pro pointed out 2 am is late enough .

I hope this works for you and best of luck.

[Sunnyday365 in reply to larkthebark]

you are right, this site is the best. I appreciate your info and am changing times tonight!

[Maudie19]

I changed to a 3 am alarm successfully but someone on here suggested asking for gastric coated preds, which if taken at 11 pm - 12 midnight works at about the same time in the early hours. I now do that with natural yoghurt which is working fine.

[Boss302Fan]

Really should be having this discussion with your doctor for a number of reasons. 1. Conditions worsen when you are sedentary (i.e., watching tv, reading, sleeping) getting a restful uninterrupted sleep so really don’t want to be woken in the middle of sleep due to pain thus your doctor may prefer you take the Pred just before bedtime. 2) You really are getting ahead of yourself thinking about what to do when you get to 7mg, focus on your current dose / taper and have a plan with your doctor on what actions to take when you have a flare (increase dose? If yes by how much, for how long and re-taper procedure). 3) Discuss with your doctor at what dose level should you start migrating when you take your dose toward 2-3 am which while maybe an ideal time for helping the adrenals to re-establish cortisol production and that early in the morning may not be necessary (e.g., 7-8 am may be just fine). Also “in-my-opinion” I will not taper if experiencing pain known to be related to PMR. If I “were” to start to experience pain during an existing taper I’d immediately return to my old dose for a few days and once again when stable try to taper again but using half of the previous step (if possible).

This site is ideal for getting perspectives, suggestions, experiences, but you should be taking what you read here and using it as topics to discuss in working to establish a partnership with your doctor and if your philosophies disagree and you can’t reach a compromise say “okay doc”, let them know what refills you need (so you have an inventory) then immediately start looking for a doctor who is more knowledgable of PMR and willing to work with you (within reason). Then change doctors.

[Sunnyday365 in reply to Boss302Fan]

Thank you Boss. I have an appointment in a few week and will definitely take your advice and all the info from this site and hopefully have a productive conversation. I am surely getting ahead of myself but mostly because its all so new and trying to be positive.