Can't take prednisolone due to diaorhea and sickness.

[Freeman12]

How long can I go without taking prednisolone12.5mg? I have had diaorhea and sickness since new year.I took my dose on1st but none since as I couldn't stomach it. I now have the diaorhea only

[PMRpro]

If you still can't keep the tablets down you must contact your GP for help - when you have been on long term pred at that sort of dose a couple of days without pred is probably not going to make you ill but much longer means you will be risking an adrenal crisis which can make you extremely ill. The GP can offer you medication - someone on the PMRGCAuk forum had the same problem as you, the GP gave them a buccal tablet to calm the nausea, but they can also give you an injection of steroid to cover you while you can't take the oral form.

If you now only have diarrhoea can you not manage to take the tablets with water? If you are taking plain white pred then it must only remain in the stomach about an hour to be able to absorb it and a couple of doses without food should also be OK.

If the practice is ever iffy about you seeing a doctor in this sort of situation you must use the "Emergency" word - it can't wait until next week. As it is Saturday you will probably need to call 111 and also be insistent you need to speak to a doctor immediately as you are a long term steroid user. To be fair, a paramedic can also provide the medication needed - but as yet you don't need to go to hospital.

[sandyanne in reply to PMRpro]

Iwas in hospital with severe diarriah due to a medication i had to keep taking despite the fact my appetite had gone and my kidneys had deteriorated more.

[May7]

Please DON'T STOP taking your Prednisolone on your own. Get straight onto your consultant rheumatologist, or whoever prescribed the steroids and discuss it with them, or 111 if this is difficult right now.This must be sorted professionally. You're alright at the moment, but don't leave this too long. Best of luck!

[Freeman12]

Thank you ladies, I have managed to take the prednisolone and kept it down.I did go to urgent care on early hours of,Thursday morning. I was not asked anything about medication either by the hospital or111 and I was so ill at the time that it slipped my mind.I will be more careful in the future.

Oh one more thing, I presume12.5 is sufficient.

[AmyS1]

Never stop taking prednisolone. If you vomit it is an emergency.

[Grannybean]

I'm down to 2mg and am still told never to miss even a day. If you still can't keep it down I'd advise talking to a doctor quickly.