uti and pred increase question

[Twopies]

i have yet another uti confirmed by a lab test and was prescribed antibiotics. Since I’ve been on pred, they pop up every so often without warning. Here’s my question: I’m miserable, as I’m sure some of you can relate. The antibiotics have side effects but I’m taking the one with the least side effects for me. Weak, spacy, dizzy, etc. should I up the pred a little? Currently at 6 mg, ready to taper to 5 1/2 next week which I know is out of the question now. I figured a little pop of additional pred might help me out. Thanks!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Are you sure those effects are all down to antibiotics-sound a bit adrenal related to me….and if that’s the case then you don’t really want to be upping Pred. You need to continue a slow taper (when you’ve finished latest course of abx), plenty of rest -and patience.

Do you have any PMR symptoms?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

On the other hand - what about sick day rules? It is a really difficult question because you are ill, potentially needing more pred briefly to substitute for lack of adrenal response, but you need to allow them a chance to get back to business,

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Hmm,pays your money, take your choice…

Would say check with GP -but….

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

... we know they don't know ... 🙄

[whitefishbay]

I used to get one every six months (UTI) when I took the vit D and calcium tablets. I use a vitamin D spray and stopped taking the tablets and it doesn't happen any more.

[Twopies in reply to whitefishbay]

Wow! I’ve been taking vitamin d recently...just: wow! Will check into the spray, never heard of it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to whitefishbay]

Did you replace the calcium part though? I had to give up calcium supplements because of bladder problems. Vit D tablets aren't a problem as far as I know - just been finishing up a spray vit D of OH's, he couldn't swallow tablets of any sort but a whole bottle was left, Waste not, want not.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Those awful Calcium Adcal chewable tablets are gross and make me feel sick. Not taken them in ages. As I use a B12 mouth spray I think I'll try and buy the calcium spray too. Oh, may have got that wrong, message was relating to Vit D spray. I 've been taking Vit D3, K2 and Magnesium for yrs. I do notice it when I give them a break for a couple of days. Leg cramps return.

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

You can find other forms of calcium which are much easier to absorb than what is basically ground up limestone, although taking with citrus fruit and or something like yoghurt is supposed to help with absorption.. I've always taken calcium citrate or calcium bydroxyapatite, both in capsule not tablet form and with food, usually with yoghurt or kefir, or an orange, and never had a problem.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Don't think there is a calcium spray but there are lots of different calcium options - including dietary which is what I opted for!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

We eat a pretty good balanced diet. Eggs, cheese, yogurts etc. I'll ask rheumy in Sept to give me another Dexa scan. I do know have osteoporosis.

[piglette]

I personally would not up my pred dose unless I could relate my symptoms back to PMR. If they are side effects of antibiotics increasing pred is not going to help. If it is your adrenal glands they need to start working again, so increasing the dose just allows them to go back to dozing. If it is your adrenal glands I would not decrease your dose for a while though until the adrenals are a bit brighter and cheerier!

[Hidden]

Good luck with 5.5mg. I was good on that mg it was when I dropped to 5mg that pain returned. Back up to 6.5mg and not feeling that great. Headaches and sweats (not night time, but all day)

[Maudie19]

I'm on 7mg and for the past 6 months have had quite a few UTIs, some really bad having heavy doses of penicillin. Having a scan of bladder and kidneys in two weeks.

[Twopies in reply to Maudie19]

Pred has taken its toll on my bladder, that’s for sure, never had a uti for years until pred, now I get them more frequently than I would like. A ct scan about a year or so ago showed thinning of the lining of the bladder which doc said was either interstitial cystitis or pmr/pred.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Twopies]

i/c isn't uncommon in PMR ...

[MDT1]

I suffered with frequent UTI's and so my GP has now started me on vaginal oestrogen (am perimenopausal) and an antibiotic to take postcoital and coincident or not - no UTI's since starting those in may but before was having one every 3-4 weeks

[Twopies in reply to MDT1]

Good for you! My peri turned into purely!