I started on 15mg Pred on 15th Sept after an appointment with rheumatologist. He asked my GP to arrange a repeat blood test and an ANCA serum test along with a chest X-ray. I haven’t heard anything back from the surgery after I spoke to them a week ago and the GP said he would have to check up on it. I have got a call back from a GP today (not necessarily the same one as they are locums ). I’m going to chase up about the extra tests and the X-ray, but I also want to ask about my next prescription of Pred. I have 10 days left on 15 mg. Have been feeling much improved, but still with the odd ache and pain. BUT, after a lovely day out on Friday, I now have a sore throat and feeling a bit cold and shivery. I suspect I have picked up a cold. My question after this long ramble is, should I ask the GP to stay on the 15 mg for an extra week? I was due to drop to 12.5 mg after the first 4 weeks, depending on my reaction. As suggested by the rheumatologist. Would be grateful for your sage words. Thank you.
Pred dosage/PMR: I started on 15mg Pred on 15th... - PMRGCAuk
Pred dosage/PMR
Would be sensible to stay at current dose whilst you are feeling a bit under the weather… and what exactly do you mean by the odd ache and pain?
Just be aware that although the guidelines may state a reduction from 15 to 12.5mg it is not achievable for everyone.
Odd ache and pain. Sometimes backache if I think I’ve done too much. Am getting random aches in my thighs where I have the Trochanteric bursitis, but generally more comfortable in bed at night apart from the odd night when one of my thighs starts twitching and I have to get up and walk around for a while. Have to say, a lot better than before starting Pred. But this morning I feel under the weather. Cold and shivery. Am going to do a Covid test in case the GP asks me if I’ve done one.
Good idea to take Covid test…it’s on the rise again with latest variant…. and you can take paracetamol for effects whether it’s that or just a cold.
Other things do sound as if they are more like over exertion etc rather than PMR per se….
Let us know how things go…
Am just sipping a Lemsip with extra honey and am going to take things easy. Will post after I’ve spoken to the GP.
👍
Its not been a great day and I feel a bit fed up. Did two Covid tests and they both came out positive. Have been waiting all afternoon for pre-booked call from GP and when I rang reception about an hour ago, they said he’d already phoned and got no reply. Have checked both phones and there are no missed calls. They said they will make a note on my record, but I can’t see him looking at that again this evening. So I’ll have to try again tomorrow morning. Can just do without all this aggro. Will let you know how I get on tomorrow.
Not good enough - and no you don’t need aggro…. Not sure if you are eligible for antiviral drugs if you ring NHS111 directly -see attached. Might be worth trying - and say you have rung GP but no reply.
nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/...
Thank you. Will I be able to phone 111 if I’m in Wales?
Just found this - looks like it -
111.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopae...
Thank you. I’m sorry, I didn’t see this until this morning. Went to bed early. Have bookmarked this page. Have got to phone the surgery first thing to get another call back. Hope this time will be more successful.
Had call from GP. She is going to do a prescription for next lot of Pred. Said she thinks I’ll be ok to reduce when current prescription runs out, but to get back if I don’t get over the Covid in 7-10 days. My chest X-ray has been requested and also blood tests, but I’ve got to book an appointment for them when I’ve got rid of the Covid. Is going to ask the practice nurse about shingles jabs as she’s not sure whether I’ll be able to get one now or will have to wait until I’m 70. If I’m not classed as vulnerable, because I turned 65 before the 1 Sept 2023, I’ll be called when I’m 70.
Shingles vaccine [shingrix one]- you should be able to get it-
phw.nhs.wales/topics/immuni....
See how you feel just before current prescription runs out…. with your PMR and your Covid… but I’d be inclined to try and stay at current dose for longer - just be on safe side.
Yes, I’ll see how I feel later. GP did say to get back if I haven’t got rid of the Covid, so I’ll see how it goes. I can’t remember where I read it, but it might have been in this Green book of rules that they have to go by, but it said if you are on steroids of more than 20mg per day, you are classed in the vulnerable group, but not under 20mg. I did emphasise that I’d had it really badly last year. Whether that will make any difference I don’t know. Will have to wait and see.
Take several tests. My husband took 7 days to test positive and my daughter 5. I tested negative but with mild symptoms.
Not sure how many I’ve got left. Might have to send for some more, but GP is phoning this afternoon, so I thought I ought to do one beforehand.
I wouldn’t taper with your symptoms. I hope your GP is not going to micromanage your taper, it makes for anxiety. Have a look at DorsetLady’s tapering advice in FAQs accessed on this page.
The way I feel this morning, I don’t feel inclined to reduce, but I thought I’d ask as I’m a newbie. Have got 10 days left at 15mg, but I’ve got to allow time for a new prescription to be sent to the pharmacy. Plus I don’t think they’ll want me at the surgery for a blood test with a cold.
They become less and less relevant when we are on Pred. Its sole purpose is to reduce inflammation. Get well soon, the shivery bit is not good - more than sniffles.
Actually not sniffing much. Dry throat and back of nose. Also, varicose eczema seems to have flared up. Left ankle is sore and legs and feet all tingly. Feels like the blood corpuscles are racing round my veins like horses in the Grand National.
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