Dose increase

Due to symptoms returning I've decided to increase my dose until I get home and speak to the GP. How much should I increase by? My starting dose 7 weeks ago was 15 mg. I am currently taking 13.5 mg. Hubby is not happy, he hates me taking steroids. He saw what they did to his late mother

[SnazzyD]

Personally, I’d go for 15mg given that you have already been down too quickly in only 7 weeks. However, you must see your GP immediately you get home and play your part in not diving into increased activity if you feel better.

Regards your husband’s mother, her steroid regime may have nothing in common with yours and for a different diagnosis. What was her condition?

[Rugger]

Oh dear Jane. Would he prefer you to be in pain, then? You are not his mother and what happened to her may not happen to you. He is adding stress that you can well do without. Has he read any of the posts and replies on here.....?

Have you ever had a DEXA scan to look at your bones? When you get home, you could discuss it your GP and explain the situation with your hubby's concern. A scan would show what your bones are like now, to give you a baseline for the future.

It sounds as if a return to your starting dose might be needed at the moment. 💐

[Hidden in reply to Rugger]

Thank you yes. I am under an endocrinologist for autoimmune hypothyroidism and I get a DEXA every couple of years. He was quite pleased with the results of this year's.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Go back to starting dose... but if that doesn't help after a week or so you may need more.

Your husband may not like you being on pred and that may be for good reasons, but at the correct dose they will help you, and give you a better quality of life - and surely he must want that for you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long ago was that? Not recently I assume and the management of low bone density has come on in leaps and bounds in the last 20 years - alendronate was first approved in the USA for the management of osteoporosis in 1999 and the range of options has broadened a lot.

Your genetics and hers are not related and genetics does play a role - he should be concerned about himself. Inactivity is also a risk factor for low bone density and unmanaged PMR certainly leads to that, as you already know. You are monitored well and your endo will see any problems arising.