Any tips/guidance on taking pred when you can't hold anything down?

[Sophiestree]

Managed to catch a nasty strain of D&V from my grandson and not managed to even keep a cup of tea down for more than an hour.

This is day 3 and I've just taken Omeprazole for the first time since diagnosis in Oct 2020 but it's my only option. Tiny sips of water as often as I think I can take.

I try and sleep it off with the help of Ondansetron but max out on my limit of that too.

What I feel I really need is plain old carbs in the form of white bread, but haven't eaten any of those since diagnosis either.

The good news is I've lost 4kg!!!

Thanks all in advance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it stays down for an hour you are probably OK. If not - call the doctor and request hydrocortisone injections reminding them you are at risk of adrenal insufficiency/crisis. If you feel REALLY unwell due to lack of pred, call 999 and tell them adrenal crisis looming - paramedics carry HC for such eventualities.

[Sophiestree in reply to PMRpro]

Great, thanksI managed an hour so that's a relief.

Just a tad weak from it all.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sophiestree]

Not surprised - and actually you should consider Sick Day Rules. I forgot to say before as I was just going out.

[Sophiestree in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, thanks I did think about that. It seems Norovirus is rife at the moment. I started to taper from 8 - 7.5 last week.

Really happy on 8 but know I have to get on with it, keep rebooking my Rheumy appts as she'll be expecting under 5 after telling me I'm now fine!

Also wondered if the operation put me in a slightly more vulnerable position.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sophiestree]

Very possibly ...

[diana1998 in reply to PMRpro]

That's good news re paramedics. When my rheumie started to reduce me 1mg every 3 days from 20 mg?! I had a huge flare in my spine and thought I was dying. I was totally ignorant in those days, 7 years ago. We rang 999 but the paramedics said they couldn't help pmr and to ring my gp. Help.... I took 2mg immediately off my own bat and within 30 mins, the flare diminished. From then on I reduced 1ng every 6 weeks. It was a terrifying experience and made me very cautious to this day.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to diana1998]

Ah yes - but the hydrocortisone is for adrenal problems which are acute - not PMR which is a chronic problems.