Hi
My Gp said I will need to go back on steroids . I’ve been off them for a few weeks now & the agony is unbearable .
My Gp put me on naproxen until blood test results come back . Receptionists said blood results normal . Gp hasn’t contacted me yet .
So I was wondering if it’ll be okay to start taking them myself as I have plenty ?
or wait and try and get an appointment!!! ?
Thank you
Lesley
I assume the Naproxen is doing zilch? I know what I'd do but how miffed would your GP be?
Yes you’re right naproxen does nowt ! And think Gp wouldn’t be too happy !
Probably best not to do your own thing then….but chase up surgery. Does yours have eConsult?
yes we have econsult
Then use that and ask what’s happening…
Will do
Also know what I would do particularly as GP already said you will need steroids. How long to next appointment, here it is like the proverbial piece of string. X
Can you talk to them on the phone or use e-consult? You could try taking some steroids and if things have improved tell the doctor. I have found recently people want line of least resistance, if they can make you happy with a prescription and you are happy, that it is good news for them and for you.
Well now, this is just the dilemma I had last month. Life had got very painful, the GP had sent a request to the rheumy for early review, I needed urgently to improve so I could play in a concert - and there was my old pred , just sitting there, waiting to be taken. So I did. What a difference, like a miracle -I could pick things up off the floor again.
The next day I had a letter from the rheumy, saying not to take steroids, but go to a pain clinic🙄. But by then, with just one dose, I had the evidence I needed to persuade the GP and got a second opinion from another rheumy. Phew!
So nobody can advise you to take steroids without medical say-so, but see the italics above!
Oh thank you for that 👍🏼 When 1st Gp diagnosed pmr , it was after he gave me 15mg of pred per day ! And more or less instant relief ! Then rheumatologist didn’t think it was pmr , so weaned me off ! Gradually pain came back , getting more unbearable. 2nd Gp said it’s pmr & will put me back on steroids . I need to chase him up
I’ll phone surgery tomorrow .
Insist on an appointment even if by phone. Good luck
Good that the steroids show some improvement, but just a warning for any of you that I took some of my (rather huge) old stock a few months ago and felt little change; I then realised that my hoard was largely out of date by about 18 months! The difference when I had some up to date stuff was noticeable.
I know what I would do, because I did that - and at that point didn't give a hoot about what any Dr. thought They would do they same to lessen their pain, I bet. In the end, it actually helped get me diagnosed (since it helped literally overnight). No way was I gonna tough out more pain when I knew there was a 90% chance it would make me feel much better overnight.
Totally agree ! I couldn’t carry on any longer ! It was agonising. I took 15mg this morning & will take 15mg every morning . Like I did when 1st diagnosed. When the pain went within 24 hrs !
Thanks for your reply
Did it work 😊
Think I am in same position. Am seeing a back specialist on Friday. But could be PMR. Have resisted taking Pred so far. I expect the GP to say it something else like arthritis and it could well be . Who knows. I have little to moderate arthritis in my hips 😊
In the same situation a few months ago. I chose the naughty path, and experimented with a medium pred dose. Like a blooming miracle. It gave me some more bargaining power in my subsequent consult.
GCA Tapering Prednisolone too steeply, the next chapter
Raised Blood levels
reducing Prednisolone 
Prednisolone Reduction
Prednisolone 1mg
