Go to the Emergency room to get prednisone?

[sdowney717]

I was just thinking, my PCP gave me a 15 day supply of prednisone for my recent PMR diagnosis and referred my Rheumatology specialists for for a june appointment. It was a 30mg per day prescription. But what works for me is 20mg a day.

I noticed last night, I only have 4 days left then it is gone.

I left messages on Riverside MyChart, and called the office and she said she would tell the doctor.

But what if the doctor somehow never gives me a refill of prednisone, I have been on it almost 3 weeks now. Could I go to the ER and explain I must have some prednisone, and take my referral papers with me? The hospital ER is the same Riverside health system as the PCP.

Also Am I going to have to beggarly ask for prednisone refills every couple weeks?

I hear once your on this drug, you can not stop taking it or you can die. I a in the USA.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Don't worry - at this stage you won't die but you are likely to notice the difference without! I don't know enough about your system but you should be able to persuade the ER to give you some, even your pharmacy should be able to give you an emergency supply or contact your doctor for you. I'd call the office again and emphasise how urgent it is.

I get enough for a couple of months at a time here in Italy - but different system. But no, you shouldn't have to beg every few weeks.

[sdowney717 in reply to PMRpro]

I think if I have to go to the ER for something my PCP doctor is supposed to prescribe for me, then I need to find a different doctor. June 21 is a long time away.

I wonder if a MedXpress or urgent care doctor will prescribe prednisone, or do doctors shy away from prescribing it unless they know your history. I suppose I could print out a bunch of stuff that tells them I have PMR

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to sdowney717]

I would have thought you could go to the ER if you had run out of pred entirely - on the grounds you need it to prevent an adrenal crisis.

[sdowney717 in reply to PMRpro]

I may cancel my PCP appointment on Tuesday. They still have not refilled the prednisone. The only thing I ever did, I refused him twice on having a colonoscopy done, said was not interested right now. I dont have to just agree to everything you know. Maybe he decided he does not want to treat me. Back to 3 grams ibuprofen per day. I would have preferred to stay in the Sentara System, I may try to get a PCP from them. He was also going to refer me back to a Sentara Endocrinologist for my type 2 diabetes cause he did not like me getting insulin over the counter. Been 2 years since i saw them, and they said I need a referral again. But I have heard nothing in a week about that. If it goes another day, and no prescription, then i think its the thing to do.

[piglette]

If they have given you a 30mg a day orescriotion they oresumably exoect you to continue with it. It sounds like it may be their admin.

[sdowney717]

Thankfully he filled it this afternoon, I actually have it in hand, 30 day supply 20mg per day.

[Meggsy in reply to sdowney717]

Phew!! Breathe easy! 🌻

[sidra1968 in reply to sdowney717]

That s good..but if ever happens again..don't go to the ER..go to an Urgent Care. It would be much cheaper and easier. I did this in Las Vegas and got Medrol Pack and told them what I needed and she agreed because what else could she do, other than refuse, I suppose. - I was self diagnosing somewhat until I could get an appt back in Illinois after the New Year..all the docs were gone basically and were shoving me off when I messaged them (it was NYE). Thank God I got appts to rule out everything on Jan 6th and 20th, and then on to the GP who has been good so far (after HE ruled put everything else). It still took my asking for prednisone to trial it..and lo and behold, I am 80% better...started on 15 mg. Might ask to go to 20 mg to really get to 95% or close.

[cranberryt]

The ER probably won’t do anything. If you don’t get an answer by phone, I would go to the office and ask to speak to his nurse and then wait. Or see if you can get a same day sick appointment with his NP/PA. I actually had to do the same exact thing when I was dx. I convinced the NP to give me another round and then I took as little as possible to make them last. I think they had to give me two refills to get me to the rheumatologist. How old are you and where do you live? You mentioned Riverside so I wonder if it’s near me.

[Woody1951]

Good morning

I have suffered from Pmr for years I have had two boats one boat five years ago lasted for year and a half started at 30 mg prednisone, and slowly work my way down

Many doctors believe that prednisone is an old-school drug and needs to be treated much more carefully that it is it’s unthinkable that your doctor would only give you a short supply especially if it is working.

Five years later I have had my second boat and started at 25 mg which cleared by symptoms I gradually reduced under doctors care and I’ve currently made it down to 1 mg. The pain is not completely gone but I did not want to rely on prednisone for the rest of my life, please take care on your journey to reduce. You may hit some speed bumps but I believe is your deed to stick with it. Thanks.

[Woody1951 in reply to Woody1951]

please excuse all the spelling mistakes in the above article as I’m speaking into a iPhone and not talking sometimes the translation isn’t correct

[sdowney717]

I am in Virginia. I hear about tapering, how is that done? Are you estimating by splitting pills?

I notice these pills dont split evenly, they fracture. I am hoping doc wont want to keep seeing me for monthly appointments. I feel like I am drug hooked like an addict and he is my pusher. How often are you all seeing a doctor ? I pay $20 copay for each visit, plus it takes time.

A specialist copay is $40 which is what a rheumatology specialist appointment will cost in June, how often will he want to see me? Would these visits start overlapping every month? This can get expensive over a years time. When I saw an endocrinologist regularly it was every 6 months.