Mornings

[Snowshoe1]

New here. Recently diagnosed, does the morning stiffness subside while being treated with prednisone? Or what can I expect moving forward?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you already been put onto pred?

The idea is you start with a dose that is more than you need to deal with the inflammation and that reduces the pain and other symptoms. Most doctors tell patients to take the pred about 8-9am - but the daily dose of inflammation the underlying disorder causes happens about 4-4.30am and the sooner after that you take the pred, the sooner the symptoms improve. The antiinflammatory effect of pred lasts frm 12-36 hours depending on the patient - and if you happen to be at the less than 24 hours end then the symptoms may well return before the next dose is due. The sooner after 4am you take the pred the less inflammation has been caused, the less the pred must do and the sooner you feel better. The ideal time to take pred is 2-3am - and then the pred is ready and waiting in the body to stop the inflammation before it gets going at all.

Where the pred-effect lasts well under the 24 hours, some people find it helps a lot to split the dose to extend the antiinflammatory effect, but it isn't a good idea to do that right at the start, get things a bit more settled first and then speak to the doctor - you may not need to do it at all.

Have a look at the FAQs - the link in in the box just under your post.

[piglette]

When I started on prednisone I was back in the land of the living in fifteen hours and twenty six minutes.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi, and welcome,

As suggested by PMRpro have a look through FAQs, maybe starting with this for general info -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[LemonZest11]

I took PRRpro’s advice about taking pred at 2am and I have never looked back (except maybe a couple of times haha). It’s not difficult to do … if you get up in the middle of the night for a pee, that’s a good time. Take it with some yoghurt to protect your tummy, yoghurt is easy to slip down when you’re half asleep. All the best!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LemonZest11]

Though having the right dose somewhere obvious probably helps!!!!

[LemonZest11 in reply to PMRpro]

Definitely! It's all in the preparation. 😜

[Bcol]

Morning, same as LZ1 I take mine early in the morning 02:00ish with Greek Yogurt and a banana. Usually add some blueberries to the yogurt.

[LemonZest11 in reply to Bcol]

I just slip a couple of large spoonsfuls down, trying very hard not to wake up completely. 😳

[MiloCollie]

Hi. Welcome to this group where you’ll find so much help you’ll not only feel better physically but stronger emotionally too. My morning stiffness went within first few days of pred also after long periods of sitting I could walk normally straight off instead of Frankenstein steps for the first stretch! Wish you well and relief asap but look after yourself. Don’t push it when you feel better (best advice I had on here) or you’ll regress. Good luck xx

[sailorman]

Hi I started on Pred in 2016 on 10 mg per day I have had ups and downs of pain but not too bad I have been reducing since then and have reduced to 2 mg but this was not comfortable so I am now sticking with 3 mg you will get differing advice from the Rheumatologist mostly to get off Pred as quick as possible your doctor will be your best advisor I think however my Last Rheumy said if 2 mg was not working then try 3 mg so that is what I have been on for several months the morning stiffness seems to have gone some time ago so mostly I live an active life sailing, walking, under pressure gardening. Everybody is effected in different ways the most important thing is to reduce very slowly good luck hope you don't suffer too much.Mike

[Nextoneplease]

Hi and welcome 😊I was started on 15mg per day last March. Some people’s pain and stiffness improves very quickly but I was one of those for whom it takes two plus weeks for pred to take its effect. If you are like this, don’t worry, it can take this length of time - and I am now much, much better (🤞)

If you don’t feel distinct improvement by three weeks, I’d go straight back to your GP for a review.

All the best

Nextoneplease x

[Hageman]

Well I started on 30mg over two years ago get mpr under Control. Work great I take mine 6 am with food no problems stayed on that does then started to come down . 5 mg then got to 3mg .... pain started gain back up to 5 mg last week . Wait and see now . Pred works great for me but at the start in was starbing all the time lol