After a visit to my rheumatologis I have just reduced from 7.5mg Pred to 7mg and feel good. I’m to stay here for two weeks and then move to 6.5 with the aim of moving onto 6mg slowly.
unfortunately I was badly bitten by a stray dog which I know is very unusual (police informed etc). I was taken to hospital, the wound is dressed and I have been given a 7 day course of antibiotics. I’m up and about but feel very weak. No professional has mentioned taking extra Pred and it has only just occurred to me. I’m due to have the wound dressed again in later in the day and will ask then.
I just wondered about the experts advice on this forum.
Thank you
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Pangolin43
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Given the stressful nature of the event - really unpleasant and frightening - as well as the recovery aspect I think I would increase my pred for at least a few days, Not sure off the top of my head - what do the Sick Day Rules suggest?
Thank you for your response. I did check the sick day rules before I posted and felt I didn’t fit into any of the descriptions. I’m nod in bed, I don’t have an infection but have been given antibiotics as a precaution.. I think your response of 10mg is good for me and will suggest this to Dr. 😀
Morning Dorset Lady. I spoke to GP about sick day rules and she said unless I was feeling unwell to stick at 7mg. So far I have taken her advice. However I don’t know whether to just take extra Pred for a few days and take matters into my own hands. Although I don’t feel much worse than my normal self I do I feel tired and ‘clammy’ at times. I have wondered if it is because I reduced from 7.5mg to 7mg just over a week ago. 😞
Could well be the reduction…..or a combination of that, adrenals and dog bite. Maybe give it another couple of days and see if things improve -if not then back to 7.5mg for a couple of weeks.
Make sure you feel okay, then think about tapering again….as you are in ‘adrenal reawakening’ territory might be worth thinking about slower tapering plan, if not already on one.
Thank you. I feel very confused about what to do for the best. I was actually thinking of just taking 7.5 mg anyway as you suggest as I read somewhere that this is the minimum to match natural cortisol. I’m definitely not going to taper at all for the next few weeks. Thanx for your support 😀
The figure 7.5mg has been the received wisdom for years - but fairly recent work from Imperial College London suggests that 2-3mg is plenty to cover the body's needs day to day and a rethink is required for management of adrenal insufficiency. I don't know - it doesn't explain why fatigue can be so bad from as much as 10mg for some people.
Good morning Mrs Nails. Thanks for asking. I’m feeling a bit better. I’ve had the wound dressed twice by a nurse and it will be done again this Monday. As well as a bite the area is very bruised. It’s horrible to look at. It was such a shock! No infection to date so hopefully it will heal reasonably quickly. (One of the nurses said that Pred slows down healing).
Hi Pangolin - it must have been an awful shock for you - Pred CAN slow the healing but not for everyone so don’t worry on that score - it’s keeping infection at bay that’s the important thing & rest as much as you can.
It is only recently after over 12 years on pred that I've noticed slower healing of cuts/scrapes on arms and shins. I had a back tooth out recently though - healed in days.
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Debilitating fatigue 
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So now I know...
Normal two hours
