15 mg Pred x 3 weeks

[Suffererc]

I had been free of Pred since February. Last month I was put back on 15 x 3 a day for 3 weeks. I didn’t actually take that amount. I dropped to 7 in stages. Today blood test results is showing 16 and 2 . Results no further action. So are the GP thinking she can stop as they only gave me enuff till the actual blood test 63 tabs.

Is this right or should I be contacted to talk about a reduction. I am happy on 7 but don’t think I can go lower at the moment. Need a repeat prescription me thinks , or should I just stop .

As always your advice invaluable 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Do you mean 15mg, 3x5mg tablets, a day? And 7mg is OK?

I hope she ISN'T just going to stop it unless it was to see if it was a flare and the symptoms come back when you stop? The markers are OK BECAUSE you are on the pred and its dealing with the inflammation.

I think you will have to find out from her what she was thinking - it really isn't clear and she didn't say did she?

[Suffererc in reply to PMRpro]

Yes 15 mg a day for 3 weeks. Then blood test and plan to reduce to 12.5. I took your advice and went to 19mg then 8 then 7. Blood results back today but heard nothing from GP. They assume I am on 15mg which would have run out yesterday.

[Suffererc in reply to Suffererc]

Went to 10

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

GP obviously gave you enough for a trial period .., and expected you to take 15mg per day and then stop - which would have been okay - and then re-evaluate the situation.

You may have scuppered her plan - so you do need to go back to her and discuss.

[Suffererc in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you😊

[Suffererc in reply to DorsetLady]

I think the plan was after 3 weeks to go to 12.5. But where is the medication. Pred ran out Monday on their trial. They do not know I am on the lower dose. Too many people involved right hand doesn’t know what left hand doing. Think will go AskmyGP tomorrow cos my own stock will run out

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Suffererc]

In that case, she should have made it clear at the outset… what a horlicks..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suffererc]

Left hand, right hand - no hands ...

[BettyE]

Does your surgery operate an on line system? Mine does but I'm not sure if that is universal.

When I was on pred. for PMR several years ago I could go to my A/C and ask for a repeat prescription as my GP had authorised it when I was first diagnosed. Could yours be assuming that you are familiar with this type of arrangement?

[Suffererc]

yes our surgery does on line. In fact we never have to wait for appointments if you use Askmy GP. It’s the plan they had in mind I have heard no more. The blood test results have been filed NFA 😊

[AtopicGuy]

As others have said, the 3-week trial of 15mg/day was intended to see how your symptoms responded to steroids, if at all. It is a pretty standard approach and requires no taper at the end. It will now be hard for your doctor to make an informed decision, especially if you don't tell them you didn't stick the course.

Test results of "16 and 2" are meaningless unless the units are quoted as well.