Flare protocol

[Ginntonic]

I am now down to 11.25 with my Preds and shortly due to go to 10. I have a tender shoulder and a problematic hip after walking a mile or so and I have therefore started to use a stick.

Please can someone tell me what the flare protocol is? It is referred to regularly and my understanding is that on a flare arriving you boost the Preds to say 20mg dependent on your current level, Have I got that right?

I am off on a 6 week cruise to the Caribbean ( lucky I know, I know) and need to be prepared should there be a problem.

Many thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No - if you think you are flaring because of overshooting the dose you need, you add 5mg to the dose at which the flare appeared for up to 2 weeks and then drop back to the dose above where you flared.

In your case, if you think it is a flare at 11,25mg, you would go back to 16.25mg for up to 2 weeks and then go back to at least 12mg . But if you have niggles at present, I definitely wouldn't go to 10mg yet and especially not before the holiday because the stress of that - nice stress though it may be - isn't going to help.

[Ginntonic in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, thank you I agree with you and don’t consider my niggles a flare. But as we are away for 6weeks and, having been a Boy Scout, I wanted to be prepared. Very helpful. Ironically, after posting I found some more posts on the same subject.

Thanks again

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ginntonic]

That always happens - always have a look after you have posted and you will get up to 10 Related Posts but HU has to "see" your post to identify them.

[Maxgate2 in reply to PMRpro]

I am due to have facet joint injections at three levels on Wednesday. I have not had any for just over two years when I flared almost immediately after the procedure. I am currently on 0.75mg Prednisolone and on the waiting list for some extensive spinal surgery at RNOH. Should I take 5mg Prednisolone first thing on Wednesday morning to try to prevent a flare or just wait and see whether I flare or not after the procedure? I should so appreciate your advice!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Maxgate2]

Not really my field - but I don't think 5mg BEFORE the injections would head off a flare - as far as it is known, pred does nothing to the actual autoimmune disease process except maybe suppress the immune system a bit, it mops up the inflammation and relieves the symptoms after it is produced. I would wait and see but not wait too long if symptoms DO reappear.

[GgIsaac]

it seems like your Polymyalgia is returning. Discuss with GP or Consultant. Maybe steroids need increasing again. Don’t leave it, it could hamper your holiday enjoyment

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

PMRpro has replied - but it is explained in this - should you need it.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...