Is enteric Prednisone available in France? Does anyone know? Flare!!

[bluegirl7]

Hi my drama with foot and ankle pain has developed into. PMR story. My rheumatologist sent me to a foot ankle doc he trusts who was very thorough and listened to both of us. First doc:?MRI showed only mild Achilles Tendinitis but that was Diagnosis. Rheumie said not where most pain is. Couldn’t do exercises etc. pain hit both ankles with lots of burning in feet. 2 nd doc said it was arthritis The new one said this was a PMR flare without doubt. Ankle and feet bones sound. Little bit of AT but inflammation everywhere. Then I realized I have been in pain everywhere blaming it on crutches and cane etc etc.Furthermore new doc said not a coincidence that the entire flare started Nov 13 when my flu shot was Nov 10 and that he has seen this before and this year.

So I have gone up from 1 mg to 7.5. Seems like it may be changing things. BUT after 2 days my stomach is a mess. We don’t have enteric here. I take the dose with yogurt but after lunch with full meal

I am going to France on Sunday for 10 days Does anyone know if enteric exists there and I could then get a doc to write a script. And I will be back there in April also.

Thank you all!!!!

[SheffieldJane]

Are you in the UK? I am prescribed Entric coated Pred here. If there is a reluctance it is cost based, persist and you will get it. I cannot find out about gastric resistant Pred in France. You could ask for Lanzoprazole or Omeprazole to protect your digestive system. As time has kind of run out for getting a prescription here in the U.K. you will need evidence to support your original diagnosis to get Pred and a stomach protector from a private doctor in France. Good luck.

[bluegirl7 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Sorry I should say I am in US. I already take 2 esoprazole Nexium daily and one famitidine and a host of things for colon and or esophageal attacks. Pred is a trigger and it makes suddenly going up difficult. Enteric Pred in the US costs $3000 a month and no insurance covers it No one takes it here.

Thank you!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to bluegirl7]

I had no idea, what a pickle. It is a trigger for abdominal issues for me too. I have developed diverticular disease. You may get more joy in France, I hope so! I have often been astonished at the better approach and medicines with Countries in Europe and in Australia.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to bluegirl7]

Can’t help on EC in France, but as it wasn’t clear where you live that’s why we always ask members to enter that information on profile - as you are aware different health protocols etc..

[Dochaz]

I've never been prescribed enteric Pred and a quick Google search turned up no brand names or generics, so not sure they are available. If you need to ask a French medic or pharmacist, the term to use is "comprimé enrobé" or "comprimé gastro-résistant"

[bluegirl7 in reply to Dochaz]

Thankyou all for this info and especially how to describe it. And I will try also to get those gastro resistant ones online

[Pollyanna16]

I don’t know the answer either but I can tell you that French pharmacists are wonderful & pred is very cheap there. I’ve had a couple of occasions needing their help, the one I remember most was just after I was diagnosed in 2011. Forgot to take my pred with me to France & the village pharmacist sold me a pack for 3 euros! I was on 15mg in those days. Didn’t have a prescription with me just a leaflet describing PMR. Also ran out of eye drops for glaucoma last winter & again no problem at all. I hope you are successful!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I don't think e/c pred is available anywhere outside the UK but I'm not sure. You would have to ask a pharmacist there.

The alternative is to get gastro-resistent capsules online. There are several posts about that in the past. PMRCanada has used them for years and several others have started in the meantime.

[Shiv14 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes e/c pred is available in Ireland. Deltacortril Enteric is manafactured by Phoenix Labs whose European base is in Ireland. We are very small so I don’t imagine we take them all ourselves🤣 but share with other European countries.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Shiv14]

It isn't the sharing aspect - just that they aren't used/approved in other countries and that is part of the difficulty, the production runs are relatively small as a result and it makes for irregular supplies at times.

[Shiv14 in reply to PMRpro]

You are a fountain of knowledge. Phoenix Labs is not too far from where I live. Everytime I pass it I tell my husband that's the candy factory🤗

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Shiv14]

Ah - now THERE is a useful bit of info, When supplies go off again then we'll send you to ask what's going on!!!!!

[Shiv14 in reply to PMRpro]

🤣