Diarrhea while weaning pred and on actemra

[emmamom]

I have had diarrhea almost constantly for 2-3 weeks. Since I started on prednisone and actemra about a year ago, I have had it about once a week, but this is unusual. I don't feel sick in any other way--except for the cramping and discomfort from diarrhea. I am tapering my prednisone by 1/2 mg every two weeks (at 7.5 mg a day right now). Take one actemra shot a week. I take imodium with the diarrhea and it helps somewhat. I might have a solid stool for one day and then diarrhea for several.

Has anyone else had this experience while tapering or while on Actemra?

[Grammy80]

So sorry! I've been on Actemra and prednisone for almost 3 years and I have not experienced that. However, I will say my system is as erratic as the weather and just about as predictable. I've probably just taken these issues along with the rest of the roller coaster and haven't thought too much about it. Hope you settle in, I'm now at 8mg~! Take care💕

[jinasc]

Read the side effects which should have been given to you when you started, the list is a long one and diarrhea is listed and it advises you seek medical treatment.

This is the link.

drugs.com/sfx/actemra-side-...

[SnazzyD]

I’d get it checked out because there are a number of causes other than the usual suspects. Imodium may not be the right treatment too even though it helps symptoms.

[123-go]

You should consult your doctor. Diarrhoea may be a side effect of Actemra but don't forget that it will also affect absorption of your Pred.

[agingfeminist]

have you tried imodium (loperamide)? It is usually brilliant. Take 2 immediately after a bout of diarrhea. It is bought over the counter. Read the dosing instructions carefully. Hope it helps but if it doesn't within a day or so, you ought to consult your doctor. Diarrhea over a long period can really play havoc with your electrolytes, pred dosing, food absorption etc. Needs checking out...and it is miserable.

[Broseley]

It could be that your gut flora has been knocked out. I would recommend probiotics. They worked for me when I developed severe diarrhoea once as a side effect of sertraline, which went on for 3 months after I stopped taking it, only manageable by taking 6 imodium a day!Make sure you get the ones with at least 50 billion CFU according to Michael Mosley.

[Gary1310 in reply to Broseley]

Yes, I had the same problem for over a year. It occurred to me that it might be a biotic problem after Antibiotics for UTI. I started being aware of gut bacteria. I had a lot to learn.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is possible you have a GI infection and you should report it to your doctor who may tell you to have a holiday from the Actemra until that clears - you may even need some stool cultures.

[cranberryt]

I haven’t read the comments but I developed diarrhea after my PMR diagnosis. It turned out to be celiac and colitis, both additional auto immune conditions. See your doctor! Mine ran bloodwork and then did an endoscopy and colonoscopy to confirm.

[Karendeena]

Hi emmamom, I started with diarrhoea when tapering prednisolone from 15mg at a rate of 1mg every two weeks. I am sorry to say that my bowels are still not back to normal after getting down to 3mg. I am due to go down to 2mg this week as per instructions from my reumatologist. I am unsure why it started but had every test including a CT colonoscopy and nothing has been found. Ok am putting it down to the prednisolone

[emmamom in reply to Karendeena]

Thank you! I saw my dr the other day and they are testing to rule other things out, but she did say that it could be because of the prednisone reduction. Can't wait to be off of it!

[Karendeena in reply to emmamom]

Emmamom neither can I now down to 2mg daily and counting. Tapered 1mg yesterday after 6 weeks on 3mg feeling a bit jittery but determined to stick it out.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karendeena]

At this stage 1/2mg at a time may be advisable - or use one of the slowed tapers so you don't go straight from every day 3mg to every day 2mg which is a 33% reduction - rather more than the 10% that is recommended!