Prednislone Dosage Advice

[craighead72]

I have been on prednisolone for 6 months. Gradual reduction from 15mg to 12mg since June but symptoms worse again. GP a bit reluctantly agreed I could go up to 15mg from 2 weeks ago - still no clear improvement. Should I go to 16 or 17mg to see if that helps. Very confused as to how much you can adjust your dosage within reason as it takes 2 weeks to get a telephone appointment with the GP

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Do your surgery have eConsult facility if not sure check here- patients.econsult.health/?_...

They have to reply within a shorter timescale.

You probably do need a slightly higher dose, but you do need to discuss with GP unless they have already said you can alter your meds -but doesn’t sound like it.

Usual advise for a flare is contained here -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Have a read through see if it makes sense, then you could try nhs111 as it’s the weekend. That way you can tell GP on Monday you have received medical advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I would be holding out for a referral to a rheumatologist - after 6 months and unable to get lower than 15mg there may be something else going on, You may have to wait ages for an appointment so the earlier you start the better.

No wonder the EDs are overrun - it just isn't on to make patients wait so long. Here it is the old-fashioned concept of turn up and wait, You see the doctor the same day and it puts off the malingerers!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

Someone from Ukraine said that they can get things done faster in Ukraine than with the NHS. They could not believe it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Have you seen the awful story in the Guardian about the little girl who died of sepsis last year because of arrogance on the part of consultants who couldn't recognise sepsis? It could happen in any country, any hospital - but don;t tell me the NHS is untouchably great ...

And under this next lot - heaven help us ...

[Temeraire in reply to PMRpro]

I read that story - absolutely horrific. Upset me no end. Poor family.

[Nextoneplease in reply to Temeraire]

I saw it too. Absolutely awful 😢 and the poor mother is still thinking she should / could have done things differently….☹️

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

There is a lot about sepsis cock ups recently, ever since Nic Grundy died of sepsis in the Archers people at least have become more aware.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

You are probably safer if you get ill at home and a paramedic sees you! Though they still hand you over to a hospital consultant. She might not have died if she'd stayed in N Wales

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

The trouble is there is so much arrogance in some hospitals and teamwork is non existent. In fact I think it is one reason the NHS is in such a mess, some over inflated egos.

[Beauf58 in reply to PMRpro]

The same happened to my Dad 9 years ago. It took me 6 years for the hospital to grudgingly acknowledge they were at fault. Sepsis awareness and the pathway to treat is part of all nurses mandatory training, unnecessary deaths should not happen.

[Suffererc in reply to PMRpro]

Don’t the GPs feel guilty peeps going to A&E/walk in surgeries. The waiting rooms are empty except for the one patient. So what are they doing. Some folks just not bothering anymore and just Googling

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suffererc]

Not about the walk-in surgeries. If you suggest you will go to the ED they sometimes respond - but that all too often happens when push comes to shove and you need 999.

Dunno - they claim to be rushed off their feet ...