Stuck !

[Viv54]

HI, needing help please , i am now down from 8mgs of pred to 7,5, i have tried to get to 7 ,twice now . Every time i reduce i think im there but as i get to the end of the week all the old symptoms come back. Its the same every time . Im waiting to have a new hip done, so trying to lower my dose . Any ideas please as im just in limbo atm .Thanks Viv

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

hi,

Think from the last couple of posts you have to acknowledge that 7.5mg may be YOUR lowest achievable dose at the moment…. And although you want [have been advised to get lower] you cannot with pain… and you are also putting pressure on yourself in trying to do so before your hip replacement, so adding in more stress and just exacerbating the situation.

Do you have a date for replacement?

Think you need speak to surgeon and say you cannot get below 7.5mg even though you have tried a number of times - and see what he says…if he insists you get lower then you are going to have to bite the bullet and risk a flare -provided surgery is imminent.

[Viv54 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi no I don't have the date yet, your right ,I think i am just having to stay where I am atm .I have an app to discuss different forms of sedation , so I will just keep plodding on .To make things even worse I'm dieting along with horrendous hip pain!🙄 Thanks for your reply .🌹

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Viv54]

Pretty tough time all round then.. 🌹fingers crossed you soon get it done .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is all very well being told pr wanting to get lower - but if that means a flare of the PMR then that is likely to compromise your mobilisation both before the op and rehab after and that is also undesirable. There are plenty of people who have had hips done at doses above 7.5mg. - and then are able to get to a lower dose post-op, almost as if the hip pain was feeding the PMR.

Has the surgeon actually TOLD you to get to a lower dose?

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes that makes sense. No a consultant said it would be better for me .But as you say it is causing me to many problems atm to add to the ones I already have, just want to get it over and done with, this excruciating pain is getting unbearable.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Viv54]

It very much depends on the surgeon, some insist on a lower dose, others are happy to get on with the job. Some years ago a lady was told it wouldn't be done until she was off pred, she was already immobile so I told her to shop around until she found a more sensible surgeon. The first she wrote to said he was fine about patients on pred and did it while she was well above 10, It was successful and she tapered steadily therafter,

[Viv54 in reply to PMRpro]

Phew!that makes me feel so much better.Thanks 🌹

[Temeraire]

I was stuck at 8mg for over a year. Unfortunately we can’t dictate the speed of reduction. PMR is the driver. Agree with other comments and if you flare because of forced reduction you’ll be in a worse place for surgery & recovery. Your surgeon needs to understand this. Lots have surgery at higher doses too. You will get lower one day just not yet. Good luck - I hope it goes well.

[Viv54 in reply to Temeraire]

Hi thanks for your reply ,as the others say I will leave it for now and concentrate on getting my hip done !Thanks for your best wishes .🌹

[piglette]

You will find that the reduction will work eventually but just not now. Orthopaedic surgeons often seem to panic about steroids. Their main worry seems about healing. 7.5mg should be fine though.

[Viv54 in reply to piglette]

Thanks, it's reassuring to hear.🌹

[piglette in reply to Viv54]

What did your surgeon say about the steroids? Mine was paranoid about them before my hip op!! He wanted me on zero, we negotiated!!

[Viv54 in reply to piglette]

Mine was ok, he said to try to get lower dose.I was on ten mg about a year ago. I just can't get lower with the PMR and the excruciating pain I have done my best.No exact date yet , but I will stick at the 7.5 atm.What dose did you have your op at ? and how did it go on steroids? If you don't mind me asking. Best wishes Viv🌹

[piglette in reply to Viv54]

I was on 6mg. I have had two new hips and as far as I am aware I had no problems because of the steroids. New hips have definitely been a godsend for me.

[Viv54 in reply to piglette]

Thanks for your reply, it's good to know .