Night time prednisone

[Joseph14612]

In the US, I have been taking prednisone at night...trying for 2 AM as suggested, but finding insomnia of sorts. Recently taken at 1 AM, but even this which works fine, causes me to awake around 11:30 PM and I try to make it to 2 AM, but struggle and end up taking my 20 mg between 12-1 AM....

I know sounds confusing.... I go to bed around 10 PM, awake by 11:30 Pm, many times I don't sleep at all ...wide awake for awhile!

Then I get up and try to stay awake til 2, but get so drowsy I don't usually make it.

I used to go to bed around 10 PM, get up around 5-6 AM take pred with breakfast, then nap an hour later. Now my sleep schedule is all messed up.

[SheffieldJane]

Can you return to your previous regime? This one is not working for you, clearly.

[Joseph14612 in reply to SheffieldJane]

I can try, even though I know I will wake up anyway, at this point...and taking pred at 2 AM does make sense and I did feel better during the day

[Mayadill]

Couple of things I've found out about the 2 am dose, don't know if any use. How much makes a big difference to my sleep. 7 mg wrecked it. 5 mg is fine (split dose). Also being flexible about the time doesn't impact feeling good in the morning. Night owl and often up at 2 but if I've had a busy day and my eyelids are drooping by midnight I take the pred around 12.30 am

[catdance]

Hi Joseph, I am also in the US. I have had PMR since Aug of 2020. I started with taking the prednisone in the morning as perscribed but found a split dose, for a while, worked. I too had issues with a broken sleeping pattern or not sleeping at all. Then I tried just a night dose, but not until I took the full dose and as late as I could manage to stay awake, did I find that I could get some decent sleep. I tried to stay awake til 2am but now take my dose around 11-11:30pm, have my yogurt and am sleeping generally around midnight or so. I then sleep until 7am, give or take an hour or two, depending on how much exertion that day or if I'm feeling pretty good. It took some time to figure out what works best for me. For me, I had to force staying awake consistently for several nights so I could determine the latest I could confortably stay awake, still fit in the yogurt to avoid an upset stomach, not forget to take the dose and stay awake for about half an hour to let things settle. It sounds like you should try to stay awake until 12/1am, take your dose and see how you do. If you have pushed yourself to stay awake and are tired enough, you should be able to get at least 5 to 6 hours, then it doesn't hurt to take a short nap in the afternoon but i would try to avoid that at first to wear yourself out so you can sleep at night. Don't get me wrong, I still have nights that I don't sleep or have trouble sleeping but they are far and few between. Once you establish a better sleep pattern and start feeling up to it, be sure to get some exercise in to help with getting enough energy out to help with sleeping at night. Hope this helps. I'm know that others with much more experience will come along. Just don't give up what's norm for me may not be for you. It's all about trial and error.

[Joseph14612]

Thank you all for the quick response...will try experimenting with your suggestions and see what works for me.... I just thought taking pred at 2 AM would be best, but I guess it is flexible. I tried splitting the dose , which worked well too. I was down to 12.5 mg with Actemra, but had headaches and eye pain, now back to 20...maybe that increase is what is keeping me awake,,,thank you again...this site is so very helpful...much better than my rheumy who got me in trouble in the first place by fast tapering....looking for a new one...

[PMRCanada]

You could try purchasing empty enteric capsules and stuff your uncoated pred tablets inside. That way you can take your dose around 11pm and it will be on board by around 2am. It works great for me and I have an uninterrupted sleep each night.

While I suffered with PTSD (a workplace injury), I struggled with night terrors and getting back to sleep after they occurred. Taking a sleeping pill at 4am left me groggy for work later. I consumed cannabis (indica strain) sometimes before bedtime, or after a nightmare) and it helped greatly. It is legal here in Canada recreationally and medically. One must also consider other impacts on health and a discussion with your doctor is wise.

I do hope you find a solution so you can get rest. Without a good nights sleep it’s difficult to contend with daytime functioning (and healing for that matter).

[Joseph14612 in reply to PMRCanada]

that’s a great idea…. Will try that . I was using thc gummy bears but didn’t need them anymore, until now

[PMRCanada in reply to Joseph14612]

I purchase my enteric capsules (size “0”) from a provider called Capsuline. Be sure to order the acid resistant capsules.

capsuline.com/products/caps...

[Prof99 in reply to PMRCanada]

Empty Enteric Capsules sounds like a very interesting idea. Does this mean that you don't have to take a PPI or take food with your Pred?

[PMRCanada in reply to Prof99]

That is correct….I do not take food or a PPI with my pred dose in an enteric capsule.

[Joseph14612 in reply to Prof99]

I have been on 30 mg Lansoprazole for many years...so I probably don't need food either.

[Grammy80]

I do not speak with any medical authority, Joseph, just me, prednisone, and I.

It sounds stressful to me just thinking about what time to take it, trying different approaches, and then being awake all through the night anyway~!! When I started pred a few years ago...on a bit heavier dose than 20...my body just had to adjust. I took it every morning, and that was best because I didn't forget to take it. Some nights, my cat and I would walk the halls but I would nap occasionally. Somehow, it gradually changed...sorry, Joseph, it wasn't fast but I believe it will come. I think we all spend some time awake....and I don't think you can make it happen.🥹💞

[Joseph14612 in reply to Grammy80]

Thank you Grammy👍

[choirsinger1986]

Hi. I don't sleep great too so no way am I taking meds at silly o'clock. I take mine around 6am every morning giving me a couple of hours for pred to work before I get out of bed. This regime works fine for me 👍 worth a try for you ?

[Joseph14612 in reply to choirsinger1986]

That's what I used to do...should have stayed there...thank you..

[Missus835]

I take my Pred at 9:30PM. Go to bed around 10. I sleep well. This works for me...whether it would work for others? This started out as an experiment which went well. I do find that prior to 9:30, the previous night's dose wears off just a little bit, but nothing unmanageable.