1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

For those taking a split dose of Pred when do you take your second dose.

Posted , 11 users are following.

Royall
Royall

My doctor is reluctant to put my dose of Pred up from 9mg to 10 mg  so want me to take a split dose, as the pain wears off during the day , l aim to take the first dose after my breakfast in the morning and not sure what time to take my second dose. Doctor said that if I am still getting some pain after a few days to go up to 10mg. Thank you

 

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

Next
  • Joydeck
    Joydeck Royall

    Posted

    I take my 10 mg split-dose 4 mg after breakfast and 6 mg after tea.  On a single dose, I was only pain free overnight.   
  • nick67069
    nick67069 Royall

    Posted

    I was taking 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 just before bed ( very late, 1AM). Some people have  problem sleeping with late dose though, so you have to try and see.  The reason for very late dose is that is the best, most effective time to take pred. If you are taking non-coated pills, it takes 2-3 hours for pred to have maximum concentration in the blood stream, and it almost coincides with release of cytokines at 4-4:30AM
    • Joydeck
      Joydeck nick67069

      Posted

      I have had no trouble sleeping on a split-dose.  In my experience, prednisolone takes 10 hours to affect PMR pain.  I tried a 2 am dose to no avail.
    • nick67069
      nick67069 Joydeck

      Posted

      Sorry it does not work for you, but for most people that is the optimal time to take meds.  This is one of the main reasons that doctors  recommend taking prednisone as early as possible in the morning. Alternative, of course, is to take it very late (1-2AM) for the same reason. 

       

    • doni89057
      doni89057 nick67069

      Posted

      Nick67069, that's very interesting. I am up until midnight every night. I may switch my dose to that time for a night or two to see if it's better and how badly it affects my sleep, which is already fairly patchy. Thanks.

    • EileenH
      EileenH Joydeck

      Posted

      It SHOULDN'T take that long to improve PMR pain. Are they sure it is PMR?

    • Joydeck
      Joydeck EileenH

      Posted

      I have had next to no PMR pain since Christmas.  When I do experience mild PMR pain, the prednisolone takes 10 hours to have any effect.  Maybe my very high fibre diet is a factor.
  • Michdonn
    Michdonn Royall

    Posted

    Jennyrose, I split my dosage and have been since last June. First after breakfast in the morning, then after shack just before bed. I have found that works for me. Good luck! ☺️
  • Michdonn
    Michdonn Royall

    Posted

    My second dose is 10:30 to 11 PM, up in the morning 5:30 to 6 am. Normally sleep okay, most nights once to bathroom, some nights I sleep through. ☺️
  • EileenH
    EileenH Royall

    Posted

    You need to take the second part of the dose a couple of hours before you would expect the pain to break through, maybe 3 hours depending on how long your pred takes to work. Everyone is different though.
  • Royall
    Royall

    Posted

    Thank you everyone I have taken my second dose after my dinner but I think tomorrow I’ll start taking my Pred just before bed . I felt very strange this morning thought that it might be some sort of withdraw symptom as my Body was used to 9mg  😢

    • Joydeck
      Joydeck Royall

      Posted

      Taking the second dose just before bed is no good on an empty stomach..

    • nick67069
      nick67069 Joydeck

      Posted

      true.. that is why I take 3-4Oz of yogurt and banana at the same time. Never had issue.
    • Royall
      Royall Joydeck

      Posted

      Hi Joydeck. I thought that I would take my Pred with fruit and a little yogurt , I normally go to bed between 9 and 10 so will take it as late as possible. 😊

    • Royall
      Royall nick67069

      Posted

      Ahh this is what I plan to do 😀 thank you

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.