A little extra pred in certain circumstances.

[PMRCanada]

Just wondering if others on this site ever take an extra 1/2 or 1mg of pred during special occasions, while travelling, etc.?

I’m hoping it’s ok if it’s a rare practice as I take an extra mg while flying as travel days are extra strenuous.

I also took an extra mg the day of my husband’s sons wedding, and am planning to take an extra 1/2mg this Sunday as I’m hosting 16 women in our backyard for a bridal shower for my future DIL. Hopefully it doesn’t interfere with my taper but provides a bit extra energy which will be needed that day. I have been preparing the last month doing a few tasks each day and have asked for help from others the day of so everything doesn’t fall on my (PMR) shoulders.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I think many do for certain occasions - all we say is don’t make it too often…

When I had GCA -and took long haul flights UK to NZ & return -I did take a little extra as a one-off.

Shouldn’t affect normal tapering .., just delegate as much as you can -and enjoy.

[SheffieldJane]

Yes I have very occasionally. Especially when it really matters. Beautiful table! Enjoy your day. 🌺

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I step up my pred when it looks like I'm going to need more physical strength and stamina to get through a few days, when there's a snow storm or hurricane approaching, or when stress will run particularly high. All told, maybe 4-10mg a year.

[SnazzyD]

I did do that occasionally but one has to be careful not to persuade oneself that it’s a special exception ‘just this once’ too often.

[PMRCanada in reply to SnazzyD]

Agreed.

[Twopies]

a doc told a pmr friend of mine to always take 1/2 mg extra when she travels. I do the same.

[diana1998]

I very occasionally take an extra 0.5mg when something stressful is happening like my friend flying down to stay for 4 days. I was driving her to meet up with different friends every lunchtime and serving 2 course suppers on the patio every evening. I did go to bed for 1 hour + every day at 4pm to keep going. I took 2.5mg as it helped my hot weather fatigue and stiffness and so much to do. Everything went fine and I'm back on 2mg no problem. By doing this I probably avoided a flare .

[Charlie1boy]

I certainly did if I was flying. So much stress at the airport! It was only about once or twice a year.

[Arabianmynx]

I’ve done it on a couple of occasions this year, once for a funeral and then again for a wedding, both a 3 hour drive from home. I was taking 3 mg at the time and took 5 mg on the day before and the day after (3 days on 5 mg in total). The taper of 1 mg a month wasn’t really working for me and I knew I couldn’t have undertaken either event without upping the dosage prior to the actual day.

[Viveka]

I'm not sure what event your photo is of but it is stunning!

[PMRCanada]

It is picture of a shower that I used for inspiration for the theme/decor of the shower I’m hosting. We have a pool in our backyard, and the bride was wanting pink so it worked well to help provide us a vision (although it won’t be identical).

[RachelJDH]

I did increase my dose last summer to 13mg from 11mg when my husband had a stroke and it really helped with travelling to the hospital in Birmingham. Thankfully he is now completely recovered but when I went back to tapering I had more aches and exhaustion esp in the morning. I then had a flare in Jan and gad to go up to 15mg to get things under control. Each time I increase I have a weight and BP surge. Using the slow reduction but it is a struggle. Now my consultant has added methotrexate.... I wonder if the increase was wise.

[PMRCanada in reply to RachelJDH]

Thanks for sharing your experience. How long did you stay at 13mg?

I ended up taking an extra .5mg yesterday and good thing I did….it was a long, hot day which was physical at times, so I sure welcomed a cool dip in the pool afterwards. When I went to bed at 11pm my lower back and upper arms hurt but this morning all ok. It will be a day of rest for me today and back to my original dose. Then start my taper if all continues to be well. I’m very grateful to hubby, my daughter and the bride’s mother who helped out so much.

I too am on methotrexate after being stuck at 9mg for over a year. So far so good except a few months during last winter when I seemed to catch every illness going, and o was dealing with grief/loss.

Hopefully 15mg will address your flare and your tapering is smoother.

[RachelJDH in reply to PMRCanada]

Yes I am rather stuck at 12mg and am finding methotrexate makes me feel yuk and tired but that will be worth if I can get down to 6mg. Good luck. This PMR is awful but I try to keep hopeful that one day it will burn itself out.

[PMRCanada in reply to RachelJDH]

I believe MTX doesn't work for everyone who has PMR, some feel very ill and fatigued while on it. I was fortunate not to have side effects (except now I'm on TWO anti-inflammatory medications so my immune system is more compromised). We just don't know unless we try and quality of life is an important factor in making our health decisions. Wishing you the best as well....I always have hope that remission will happen too.

[crazylady57]

I do the same. Had RA for35 years now, we all need that bit extra. Quality of life for extra special occasions are good. I soon taper back to normal amounts