FLARE & SICK DAY RULES OUT THE WINDOW FOR NEW GP

[Missus835]

Well folks I finally have a new GP and like her very much. Only problem is I'm in so much pain with diverticulitis and UTI. I was at ER yesterday and now on antibiotics. Day before I had asked her about upping the Pred until I'm feeling better or healed. I was at 14 mg. because I'm tapering. She was wondering why not an even "5" number. Anyway she wants 20 mgs. for a month then a drop to 17.5 for a month, etc. I know this is rubbish and emphasized the 2.5 mg drop may be too much? It's also the "month" duration I take issue with, because I was going to up it to 18 mg. for 10 days and drop back to 14. It has taken quite a long time to get from 60 to 14 mg. So going all the way back to 20 mg. was not something I really wanted to do, at least not for a ruddy month. But, being as my first visit, I didn't want to offend her. At least, to a degree, she agrees with a slow taper. Plus I was probably too sick to argue. Am I off track here?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You can only try it her way and see what happens.. the month at 20mg should hopefully be a good basis for clearing out ALL inflammation....which is probably her intention, and she is giving you time, which many don't...

So give it a go, you may be pleasantly surprised... hope so..🌸

[Missus835 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. I'm trying her way. No harm in going with the flow. A pleasant surprise would be nice. She even called in a new Rx for 5 mg. Pred which I didn't really need but what the hey. She was really adamant about getting her name as my GP, into the miriad systems here in Nova Scotia. This is to ensure she gets all the reports. I really did like her straightforward approach.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Missus835]

Good... and if you have confidence in her it just makes it better all round..

[SheffieldJane]

I agree with DorsetLady. Just surrender for the duration. I can understand your confidence in yourself, the taper you just did was phenomenal. A good, trusted, doctor is pure gold.

[Missus835 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks SJ. I agree totally and for once I have on who actually looks me in the eye when speaking to me. It was refreshing.

[HeronNS]

To some extent I agree with the others, but do base things very much on how you feel. If you want to taper in smaller steps,then you can. If you feel so well you want to start the taper (cautiously) a week or so earlier, you can. As long as you have the right mix of 5s and 1s it sounds like you'll do fine! And it does make a huge difference to have a primary care physician who sees you as a person.

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

Exactly Heron. I do have 1s but think I will try her method and see how it goes. If the 2.5 taper is too much I will try less. It's still.quite a high dose even at 17.5 but we will get back to 14 or 1ess eventually. Ugh. Next week cataracts will be addressed, if diverticulitis has settled somewhat. Monday is just the exam, so fingers crossed. At this point I can read without my tri-focals. Lol. Thanks, take care.

[PMRCanada]

I understand about feeling awful during a diverticulitis flare (no experience with UTI), but I can only imagine how both can add up to experiencing terrible symptoms. Hopefully the antibiotics do the trick and bring some relief sooner than later. Remember to adjust your diet as you go through the healing journey (liquids like clear broths and juices, popsicles, etc for a few days followed by a “beige” diet of easily digestible foods such as white pasta, rice, bread, and I added yoghurt at this stage). Reintroduce fiber slowly accompanied with lots of water.

As far as your new GP is concerned, so glad you finally got assigned one! Try “her way” and if it doesn’t yield good results you can tell her you’ve done it her way but now want to try an alternative approach to your pred management and related tapering. Being spoken to directly with eye contact is also my preferred approach….it shows she is listening and engaged.

All the best with the myriad of health woes you are currently dealing with.

[Missus835]

Thanks. I've been trying to stick to liquids but have run out of soups and broths. My daughter is picking me up some this morning. Was thinking of the BRAT diet. Bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast. I think. The lower pain is very nasty in addition to the back pain. The diverticulitis has never happened before. Constipation set it off I think. Fingers crossed for the antibiotics, which have at least gotten things moving.

[Grammy80 in reply to Missus835]

I hope you are feeling better! The BRAT diet sounds easy on the stomach. Do you like a bit of yogurt for protein? I do remember also when I was discharged...they told me no skins, i.e. grapes, blueberries and vegetable VERY well cooked. I guess they wanted the stove to do the work and not 'my parts.' When I say I feel your pain...I do, so please get well~!💞

[Missus835 in reply to Grammy80]

Thank you Grammy. Yes love yogurt. Not keen on bananas though. The antibiotics have caused the raging diarrhea since 6PM last night. It's been quite the night. Had to take imodium to slow it but this morning it rages on. Laying off the antibiotics until I can talk with pharmacist later. I don't mind the veg well cooked either, but have been on fluids as daughter replenished my supply. I'm going to try a little applesauce for brekkie. Don't want to push my luck and don't want to get dehydrated. Thanks Grammy. Nice chatting with you.

[Grammy80 in reply to Missus835]

Just got up, here in the States but wanted to reply before I Zoom church.

I would not stop the antibiotics is the only thing that will treat your diverticulitis, the infection. I think you have a case of 'liquid in...liquid out.' When I was in the hospital with the bowel perforation, they stopped all meds (even GCA) to load me up with antibiotics, I had only water for 4 days, then 2 days of broth, Jello, and sherbert. The next day....meat and potatoes, pasta etc. After eating like that for a few days my bowels were normal. I did, and still do, take a mild stool softener every night, Ducolace.

I'm no medic, but I sure don't want to see you wind up like I did; now we are trying to get my GCA back to where it was~! Yes, if we are lucky to live a long time; we become jugglers. Drink lots of water, hot or cold, tea is good! Take your antibiotics and maybe have some well-cooked carrots, peas or green beans. At this time, canned, soft items are easier to digest and process. Have some easy cookies or crackers. You are wise to focus on not getting dehydrated.

I can sound pretty bossy and I don't usually talk about medications,..but the antibiotics are not the thing to give up my Missus~💞

[Missus835 in reply to Grammy80]

No I don't intend to give them up Grammy. Just letting bowels rest. I usually have to take stool softeners too. This diarrhea is not liquid. I'm just drinking tea at the moment. These movements are every couple of hours and fill a Depend but last time I had this particular antibiotic I didn't have Depends, so you can imagine the mess and no one here to help. Depends aren't an ego booster thats for sure. Sure glad of them from 6 o'clock last night and every couple hours after that. Even through the night. Clear liquids seem to be helping. No fever so that's a good thing. Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it and will introduce something a little more solid over the next few days -- and start back on the antibiotics. Constipation is the flipside. You are not bossy, but you are wise and caring.

[Grammy80 in reply to Missus835]

All sounds like the proper plan for sure!! Depends are one of my best friends~!!! 💞

[Missus835 in reply to Grammy80]

⚘️