Prednisolone

[Eve]

I'd had a really bad arthritis flare come on today and as I couldn't get hold of my rhumo nurse so GP has given me 5mg Prednisolone in 8 at a time doses to tide me over until I can get to rhumo.

I noticed on the packet it says take in the morning but I was in too much pain so taken them not long ago, not doing a good job keeping them down though, with some food as couldn't face being in this much pain until the morning. Does it matter that much what time of day? GP just said to take at the same time each day, didn't mention anything about times and didn't see the morning thing til I got them out to take when I get home.

Will it be ok to just take them at the same time as I took them today?

[tonyav]

Jenna, if your in pain then I think you have got to do what you've got to do. Maybe sqad will come along though and give you sound advice.

[Mamyalynne]

It is usual to take in the mornings, give the pharmacy a quick call to see if you should take in the morning from tomorrow.

[Sqad]

Jenna....8 at time......you mean 40mgms in one dose, once a day?

If that is the case, then it would depend upon when the pain is at it's height........... be it in the mornings, then I would take them last thing at night.
if the pain is at worse around lunchtime, then I would take them in the morning.

Yes, it will be fine to take the steroids at the same time today.

I hope that I have understood your question.

[Eve]

Thanks all. I was feeling a bit desperate Tony, been a long painful day and GP said they should kick in in about 4 hours. They have already shut Mamya though thankfully Sqad is on hand (what would we do without him!).

The pain has been bad all day. My hands have been really painful first thing the last few days though settled, my knees were really bad yesterday evening late on then today it was all hell let loose, fingers, hands, wrists and knees really bad, hips really painful and rhomboids burning with the fibro, with them all (the arthritis bits) swelling up and just not settling.

They are 5 mg tablets and GP (and label) says to take 8 in one go at the same time once a day. I have 56 for a week's supply.

Morning relief would be good, be able to try and get comfortable enough for some decent rest and I start work usually just before 7am and finish earlier though weekend now thank goodness! I can get to rest later in the day then and painkiller out to try to get to sleep earlier.

Going to get off laptop soon and just lie and rest in front on TV as painful to type...so hope this kicks in soon!

[bednobs]

hiya, They say morning, cause it can make you not sleep if you take in the evening. I take mine before i go to bed usually

[clipclop1]

Hiya Im just gonna back up what Bedknobs said.

I took 40mg once around 3pm and I literally got zero sleep through the night. It was terrible! I had to then taper it down gently and take it at 12 the next day then 10 the following day.... I love my pred but you've got to be very careful with reducing your doses etc and don't just stop it as that can mess with your body even more!
I really hope you feel better soon, you sound like you're having a tough time !!! X

[Eve]

Thanks bednobs. Fingers crossed it kicks in soon! I'm usually quite good at riding through pain but today was horrible, just like a full on arthritis assault! I'm really tired so hopefully sleep won't be an issue but at least if I can rest it's something if I can't. Glad it's the weekend and got mum up tomorrow though my manager is fantastic.

It was hard going today, really hard but made it through - even using a stapler, staple remover and stamp sent horrible pains through my hands but I'm just too worried to have any time off - but my manager arranged work for me which I find easier which was great. Being made permenant soon and don't want anything to jeopardise that.

Got my hair cut short into an inverted bob at the weekend, so much easier to manage in the mornings now with not having to hairdry and sort the back so have my arms up so much :)

[bednobs]

what's an inverted bob?

[Eve]

Thanks clipclop. Will see how the sleep goes tonight. Usually just can't get enough though although I don't usually find it hard to get off I don't feel rested with it though on some meds to help that.

Been more difficult the last week or so with finding it hard to get comfortable with the injection wearing off and waking up a little so even a little more restful sleep would be good over a longer less restful one. Have to hand it to the steroids, amazing stuff! Just wish they could give it more without all the problems.

Hopefully I can speak to my rhumo nurse early next week and sort something and got physio Wednesday. Hopefully getting there!

[ttfn]

Jenna - I started on pred last year - 60mg a day at first. I was told to take them at the same time each day. It is an effective drug but there are many side effects which just have to be borne. Do keep up with prescribed doses which should reduce gradually - hope you notice an improvement very soon.

[Eve]

Longer at the front and shorter at the back so still looks like more of a normal longer bob at the front but it's angled up then layered shortish at the back.

Like this: http://www.google.co....ed=0CCYQ9QEwAQ&dur=60

Not that mine looks anywhere near that lovely :)

[Eve]

Actually, this is more like mine, shorter at the back.

http://www.lynnechapm...cles/inverted_bob.htm

Thanks ttfn. Hopefully it's a short course as due to see rhumo nurse to sort new arthritis meds, so frustratingly it was going to be Tuesday but I rescheduled it (as was feeling quite good on the steroid injection) as it's an important family do out of the area (no family up here) I don't want to miss...typical! So got to wait a few weeks to appointment now unless they can bring it forward. My nurse said she could give me another jab if I got bad in the meantime though.

Do you have arthritis too?

[ttfn]

Not yet, thankfully, Jenna.

I had cranial arteritis - apparently quite common among older people, though I had never heard of it before. Knocked me for 6. I am still on the pred and have monthly blood tests to monitor things, but so far, so good.

The side effects can be quite alarming - I amassed about 7 of them - went back to the dr for a follow up and read the list out to hi. He said they were all due to the medication and I replied 'Thank goodness for that, thought I was really ill' :)))

[Sqad]

ttfn........better known as Temporal Arteritis.........bloody painful....steroids are a God send to avoid complications.

[ttfn]

Sqad I thought I was dying. Big Sis kept phoning me to ask if she could cook me a meal or change my bed linen for me - bless. She had no bloody idea whatsoever :) I have never sworn at her like that LOL

[Sqad]

ttfn....your Doc was " on the ball" as the pain is intense and just touching the temples is agony..........steroids are life savers.

[Eve]

Oh ttfn, that sounds horrendous, you poor thing! Glad the steroids work for you though, they are amazing things!

It's really helped the inflammation and feeling much more settled with a lot of strength back again. They haven't caused problems with me sleeping, was a little more awake Friday night but had a really good sleep and made myself get out and about a bit Saturday to keep loosened up and was in bed by half 8 last night and had another good night's sleep. Just so nice to feel more comfortable and resting rather than uncomfortable exhausted :)

Hopefully I will be able to get hold of my rhumo nurse tomorrow and sort something out and can then relax a bit and have a nice day Tuesday with the family do.

[ttfn]

So pleased you are showing some improvement, Jenna. Long may it continue :)

[Ann]

Really feel for you both ttfn and Jenna, I must really count my blessings with just a bit of artritis in my knees. Hope you both feel better soon x

[Ann]

* arthritis