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Additional drugs to help with tapering.

Posted , 11 users are following.

Michdonn
Michdonn

My Rheumy suggested two drugs to help with tapering under 10 mg. They are colchicine and hydroxychloroquine. Has anyone ever been prescribed either of these? We're they helpful?

What additional drugs would be helpful? Thanks for feedback, still smiling 🙂 and think positive!

0 likes, 42 replies

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  • erika59785
    erika59785 Michdonn

    Posted

    I am taking hydroxychloroquine for Palindromic Rheumatism --- an RA factor in my blood.  I am not sure, if it helps tapering prednisone.  I am on 9 mg, and trying to taper down by 1/2 for a month.

    I don't know about colchicine.  Rheumatologists tend to want us to reduce fast --- fast does not work well.

    I feel for you - good luck with the taper.

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn erika59785

      Posted

      Yes Erika, they want to rush us off Pred as quick as possible. Some days I just wish they would have to be on Pred for PMR pain for just one day.

      Maybe then they would understand.

      Thinking positive and smiling. 🙂

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga Michdonn

    Posted

    Looked these up. Hydroxychloroquine is branded as Plaquenil. As for colchicine, have you read what WebMD has to say?
    • Michdonn
      Michdonn Anhaga

      Posted

      Hi Anhaga, I spent most of the afternoon reading about both of the drugs, I don't like the side effects of either of them. I am a eighty year oid long time diabetic, the Pred is bad enough screwing up my diabetes side effects. I hoping someone has had some positive experiences. But I am still smiling.🙂

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Michdonn

      Posted

      So does your doctor think you have gout? Did you have any tests indicating that? I mean, nothing you've told us indicated this might be going on. And you are eating such a healthy diet now. Was the doctor suggesting you go on both of these drugs at the same time or suggesting alternatives?

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn Anhaga

      Posted

      No, I have no gout. Anhaga diabetes since 1962, I do have the side effects from that as anyone would have. The Pred has made the diabetes neuropathy worse and the side effects of colchicine make neuropathy worse. Thanks but no thanks, I am in enough trouble now. But I still have my smile and think positive! 🙂

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Michdonn

      Posted

      I asked because that's what colchicine seems to be used for.  Sounds like your rheumatologist is shooting in the dark.  You may be amused to know that the old name for polymyalgia rheumatica was senile rheumatic gout.  As if having the disease wasn't bad enough!  Perhaps your doctor's knowledge is a little out of date. lol

       

  • sandy08116
    sandy08116 Michdonn

    Posted

    Wish I could help but . . . on 6mg now. No support drugs have been prescribed. Perhaps it's because I haven't kicked and screamed at docs' doors. It's going well. Mostly good days with the occasional 'wish I felt better' day. 

    Keep well.

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn sandy08116

      Posted

      The Rheumy wants me off the Pred as quick as possible because I was on high doses for so long. She is far more concerned than I am. We do not see eye to eye. Still positive and smiling. 🙂

    • nick67069
      nick67069 Michdonn

      Posted

      I hope you realize that is not the right reason and resist the change for a sake of trying something different. You need pred because of the underlying problem of PMR and PMR activity determines how much pred you need. To ignore that fact is a sign of your Rheumy not being familiar with PMR treatment. How long have you had PMR? As you know, average time of PMR treatment is 5-6 years.  I think the same study points out that average patient consume 4-5 gr (4000-5000mg) of pred during that period. Calculate  how long have you had your PMR and how much pred have you consumed thus far. Are you even close to that? Then decide if her concern is realistic or not.

       

    • Michdonn
      Michdonn nick67069

      Posted

      nick67069, my Rheumy is trying to rush me off Pred. I need her for my prescriptions we do not agree since my flare. I did ask for additional drugs, only asking if there is anyone who has used those two. Or anything that someone has used and would recommend. Personally, I would like to try tapering using DSNS, as I have been doing. Thinking positive and smiling. 🙂

  • Mrs_Hobbles
    Mrs_Hobbles Michdonn

    Posted

    Hi Michdonn, have you had trouble tapering under 10mgs to require the rhumy to suggest these meds. Having looked to bith meds it seems strange that she would prescribe them! I think for the most part rhumys just want us off pred asap, and think prescribing other meds will help. Think it's been priced many times here that slowly wins the race. I'd be hesitant to start those meds (but then I'm hesitant about any meds). Take care and keep that smile going😊

    • erika59785
      erika59785 Mrs_Hobbles

      Posted

      Yes, crazy!  I was on 8 mg prednisone and my rheumy suggested I use MTX or Xeljanz to help taper prednisone.  She thought I should be "done" with PMR!  Good grief!

      Through my GP I was able to be referred to a different rheumy who understands that I have PMR, and she is far more flexible and understanding about the dosage needed for pain. I printed out for her to read the Mayo Clinic's NEW FINDINGS about PMR patients treated with glucocorticoids.

      I think, it helped.  We need to be our own advocate and try to keep smiling!.

  • Daniel1143
    Daniel1143 Michdonn

    Posted

    I was on hydrochloroquine (Plaquenil) about one year. Rationale was that it would help me taper off prednisone. I can’t say that it helped to any degree, though I am now fully off prednisone.  My tapering was at a rate of 1 mg per month.  So can’t say it helped, but it did not hurt.  Also noted no side effects. 
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