What is the best time to take Pred and how long does it work?

[Motida]

I have been looking for a link to find an answer myself, but could not see a timetable set out.

There are various comments like take at 4 a.m. or 2 a.m. with yoghurt. Splitting the dose between breakfast and going to bed, and one or two others.

I got down to 7.5mg but it was not enough so have gone back to 9 mg. The hip pains and stiffness dont abate till about lunch time and I even fall asleep around 10 a.m. again.

I have noticed that I am more agile by 4 p.m. though and can keep going till about 9.30 pm. If I know how long the Pred works at getting the inflammation under control each day I could perhaps manage things better.

My GP is checking the kidney function and breathlessness again and even asked if I wanted talking therapy. I said only if the person could tell me when the PMR will burn out, otherwise I have this forum to interact with! He said I would not get an appointment till next year and then only 6 sessions.

Welcome to our new members. I hope you will feel well supported and not alone. We learn to manage by sharing our experiences and from the professional advice which is so generously given every day.

Many thanks

[piglette]

I take mine at 2am with cheese and that works fine for me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry but that’s another ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question.

It varies greatly from person to person… so sometimes you have to do a bit of experimenting to discover the best options for you. There is no set timetable.

If your dose does not last all day then you may find splitting your dose… 2/3rd am- 1/3rd evening.

You will probably get as many suggestions are there are members.

But don’t try any experimentation until you have got your symptoms back under control.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

But you don't tell us when YOU are taking your pred!! There is no single answer - there are several factors involved.

The usual instruction is to take it early morning, That is fine for those for whom the antiinflammatory effect lasts the full 24 hours. The inflammatory substances are released in the body about 4-4.30am but the effect of the previous day's dose is stiil having some effect. The longer you leave taking your pred after 4am, the more inflammation has been created, the more work the pred must do so the longer it takes to take effect - and you add an hour for it to get into your blood stream to reach the parts it needs to reach.

The 2 or 3am solution is the ideal - the pred is there ready and waiting at 4am, the inflammatory substances can't have as much effect when they don't even get a toehold and mornings become better.

Then it depends on how long the antiinflammatory effect lasts for YOU - when do the symptoms reappear relative to when YOU take your pred now? If they are back long before the next dose is due, splitting the dose may be useful for you. When splitting you should be able to organise it so you take about 2/3 of the total dose at a convenient time for you in the morning, with breakfast, And then you take to rest later enough to extend the antiinflammatory effect through until the main dose next morning.

There is no single answer because the antiinflammatory effect lasts from 12 to 36 hours depending on the person. If you are towards the 12 hour end, then you will have more of a juggling act to achieve. I take pred once a day, mornings are great and I still have no problems in the hours before the nect lot of pred. But that's me - obviously it isn't working that simply for you.

[Motida in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you all for the information and suggestions. I take all the pred not later than 8 a.m. at breakfast with plain yoghurt and after cereal and toasted pitta bread with marmite.

I have printed off the replies to go through more carefully and will certainly see a better way of taking the pred. Now I understand that the inflammation starts rising around 4 a.m. and needs to be challenged as quickly as possible it will be easier to manage. As you say one has to experiment to get the best from the pred.

Thank you again - the information is so helpful.