Tapering having a go

[EdithWales]

Still battling with Thrush following 2 lots of antibiotics and having temporary increased my steroids I need to get stable again first .

However returning to the site has inspired me to have another go at getting down a bit lower.

I had a virtual consultation with an Endocrinologist at the end of last year at the request of my new Rheumatologist ( my third ) The former who was pretty charmless said I was unlikely to get off steroids ever but I could try to reduce. Years ago I got to 3mg but 5 seems to be my limit without flaring. He did say it was worth a try as even a small reduction helps. I then got Covid and other life events kicked in and on the, if it isn’t broken don’t try to fix it decided not to bother. Now, the experience of others have encouraged me to try and I have contacted Dr Charmless for a report of the consultation which I never received and then the battle with the the GP practice for some 2.5 mgms begins. Wish me luck

🥂

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Good luck!!!! Starting with Dr Charmless ...

[EdithWales in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I find it really interesting, him in doors has better treatment than he ever had from his own Partners, this new lot can’t pamper him enough, he even has a Lymphoedema specialist fussing over him and giving him amazing stockings. I, on the other hand am treated like a troublesome old fool, begging for HRT like it was heroin.

He is so pleased I am back with my own kind, very bored with my trivial complaints

Dr Charmless may want to treat me to another virtual consultation, good for the bank balance 🥂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to EdithWales]

We had a GP a bit like that I suppose - should have been a pathologist, clever chap, couldn't relate to live humans though. But as soon as he saw OH and me in our white coats in the lunchtime lecture at the Uni. hospital - totally different. DIsgusting I say - but I did play it for all it was worth

[EdithWales in reply to PMRpro]

Birds of a Feather, I suppose

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

SOOOOO FUNNY!, I’m buying my own white coat and will wear it to the surgery when I go to beg fir an appointment, I might get a stethoscope as well 🤣

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

An NHS ID badge comes in handy too! My daughter tries to arrange all clinic appointments for days she is working - very handy for the staff who don't know she is staff too ...

[Francesbarbara in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I've had more than one instance of seeing a totally different expression on someone's face when they realised that I spoke the same language. It is shocking behaviour and Medics seem particularly guilty of this.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Francesbarbara]

Hehe - my experience was either of relief they didn't have to speak English to me or embarrassment because they'd said something they shouldn't. assuming I wouldn't understand! Then there was the occasion I was the interpreter - we are supposed to have at least bilingual staff here (there is a third official language but that isn't compulsory) but many Italian staff don't cope with German and a nurse is there to interpret. The doctor had worked in the UK so we spoke English together - and I had to explain to the nurse what was going on

[MrsNails]

Good to see you back - l’ve been ‘Off Duty’ recovering from Covid & then a week looking after the Grandchildren - 5xStopovers & 2xFull Days - it was a long week but they were very good - Theo just doesn’t sleep through so that was the hard bit !

I read you Previous Post so good news re Claire 🙏🏼

Good Luck with the Tapering 🍀

MrsN

We have a FAQ’s Section now - you may have some suggestions or ideas 😉

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[EdithWales in reply to MrsNails]

That’s brave of you, need a well deserved rest.

Thank you. I will read it x🥂

[jinasc]

You might like to read this read - as you have just had two lots of antibiotics.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[EdithWales in reply to jinasc]

Thank you. I should have had it a couple of days ok. I sent him out to get it and came back with loads of different ( cheaper) ones all claiming they are probiotic I will get it myself 🥂

[jinasc]

If you want too you can buy VSL3 online vsl3.co.uk/ that is their official website.

[EdithWales in reply to jinasc]

Thank you. Most grateful

[EdithWales in reply to jinasc]

It’s down to £16.50 for 10 so I have sent for it. Hooray! Thank you so much 🥂

[agingfeminist]

Just wondering if you are getting good treatment for the thrush. You should be able to clear it within a couple of weeks with some sort of antifungal. The pred does make us v susceptible to fungal infections. Power on!!

[EdithWales in reply to agingfeminist]

Thank you.

I have the fluconazole now, I couldn’t take it yesterday because I am on statins and it’s contraindicated. It’s improved today maybe bombarded by yoghurt has helped

Take care

[agingfeminist in reply to EdithWales]

I do hope this acts quickly. One less thing to endure.

[Daffodilia]

can you use a pill splitter to get 2.5 from 5 mg tablets?

[EdithWales in reply to Daffodilia]

Thank you. I have not tried a pill splitter as I have the gastro enteric tablets but can try

Take care

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to EdithWales]

You cannot cut GR tablets….but if you want to try reducing ask for 1mg. Although sometimes they aren’t always very easy to obtain….

[Daffodilia in reply to EdithWales]

not sure it will work on those

[Flivoless in reply to Daffodilia]

I use a Stanley knife to do this, but a pill cutter would, of course, be better.

[EdithWales in reply to Flivoless]

Thank you. I will get a pill cutter, would probably to damage with a Stanley Knife

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to EdithWales]

Not to be used for GR tablets - it exposes the pred so makes the GR part pointless. They come as 2.5 and 1mg doses.

[EdithWales in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. That makes sense 🥂

[Gossiplady in reply to Daffodilia]

yes I always use one. Simple.

[Daffodilia]

canesten for thrush?

[Broseley]

Canesten stopped working for me ( I used to get persistent thrush in my 20s and 30s), only fluconazole worked. Though live yogurt helped too, put on a tampon.

[EdithWales in reply to Broseley]

Thank you. I have the fluconazole. It’s improved today, I couldn’t take it yesterday because I am on statins and it’s contra indicated.

[Hidden in reply to Broseley]

brilliant idea!

[Theadmiral]

did you know that antibiotics can cause thrush?

[EdithWales]

Sadly yes. I have suffered all my life