mistake with steroids

[caftan]

After recent ups and downs I was taking 15mg per day but I have not been feeling at all well for the past few days. My head has felt peculiar and I have been feeling disorientated. This morning when I was about to take my medication I noticed that I did not have any more 5mg tablets left and I'm pretty sure I have only been taking 3mg per day instead of 15 mg per day over the past few days as I only have 1mg tablets and 2 and half mg tablets. I have mistakenly been taking 1mg instead of 5mg. The packets are so similar, likewise the size of the tablets. So I have now taken 15mg this morning made up of six 2 and a half mg tablets. Is this ok or should I have taken more? Advice urgently needed please.

[SheffieldJane]

The surprising thing is that you don’t feel worse, with PMR pains returning. It sounds more like Adrenal insufficiency. You will be fine on 15 mgs and I would be tempted to start a gentle taper of maybe half a 1 mg tablet ( cut with a tablet cutter) every 4 weeks, when things feel settled.

Another thought:

Perhaps ask again about a Rheumatologist referral, you do seem to be having a struggle. Stubborn PMR and difficulty with tapering usually indicates that a Rheumatologist input would be beneficial. My Rheumatologist discovered large vessel Vasculitis when my PMR was not responding to low dose Pred as expected.

[caftan in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for your prompt reply. I'm not sure how many days I was just taking 3mg, possible only one or two and my head has felt a bit odd for several days now. I do have a brain scan coming up next weekend as I have had two nasty bouts of vertigo over the past couple of years which landed me in hospital. I am also amazed that I didn't feel a whole lot worse dropping down suddenly to 3mg a day instead of 15mg. I am feeling a bit better now so hopefully things will improve. I will mention about seeing a Rheumy to my GP although last tiime I did that, a few months ago, she muttered something about a long waiting list .....

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

15mg should be ample...but as  SheffieldJane says wonder you didn't feel really wiped out!

Suggestion - write dose on the packet in marker pen in large writing ---so you don't get confused again, and [if you don't already] use a dosette box - sort out your weekly tablets during a quite time...and shouldn't have a similar thing happen again... Not always guaranteed though!

But as also stated you seem to be having a difficult ride with your PMR, so perhaps you do need a second opinion...

[piglette]

I could imagine you did not feel too good on taking such a small dose of steroids. Now you are back to the normal dose you should feel a lot better.