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I'm worried about new medication for pleurisy in addition to prednisone.

Posted , 8 users are following.

marykay62062
marykay62062

I have had PMR for 1-1/2 years and was down to 9 mg of predisone and my rheumatoligist wants me lower and lower but I won't go as quickly as he would like. I don't think I'm a popular patient. In February I came down with bronchitis and my GP put me on an antibotic and had me take 40 mg or pred for 1 week, 20 mg for 1 week and then 10. Bronchitis is gone but pleurisy has arrived. My goodness that is painful. My GP has put me on 750 mg of Levoflaxiacin (Levaquin) and 20 mg of Pred. Warning on pharmacy paperwork says the two together may rarely casue tendon damage. Should I be very concerned? Also how do I reduce the Pred now? My body must feel like a yoyo with all the up and downs of Pred dose. Hope someone knows about this drug.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • christine_fay
    christine_fay marykay62062

    Posted

    I have had this for over 18 months too... tried to reduce as Doc suggested but last August managed to wean off altogether... Thought I had done well but symptoms returned with avengence after six weeks of gradual stiffness and 'lead suit' feelings. Now I am just about managing on 15 and get returning 'lead suit' if I drop even by 2+1/2 m tried 12 last week but had to up again.... no help from docs they think I should be on 5m by now but according to all other opinion this as so wrong!

    Get stable before you drop even by 1m at a time and space yourself between drops... at least 2-3 weeks or you will never get the benefit.

    • Sheilamac_Fife
      Sheilamac_Fife christine_fay

      Posted

      Shave you tried Eileen's dead slow and nearly stop method of reduction. It's working for me and has done for lots of others here. Even 1mg was too much for me when 12 mg but I'm at 11 now, following her schedule.
    • christine_fay
      christine_fay Sheilamac_Fife

      Posted

      rolleyes yeah! I geussed that... I am trying amuch slower method now having got some 1m tablets prescribed which I cut in half... will keep you posted.
  • EileenH
    EileenH marykay62062

    Posted

    Yes, you should worry about it,  don't take it - and ask for another antibiotic which is NOT a quinolone. They aren't the only ones available when all is said and done. And this is something to remember for the future - it could still happen as a residual effect having been on pred in the pst, NO MORE QUINOLONES.

    Three years ago I was given a quinolone antibiotic while on Medrol and within a couple of weeks I had achilles pain - it was the result of the two together. I hadn't looked it up myself and neither the GP nor the pharmacist twigged even though they knew quite well it happens and the orthopods at the local hospital have that on my notes. Response was "Oh, I've never seen that before..." - well you have now was my reply. I spent 9 months on crutches as a result and it has had the effect of stopping me skiing because of the "what if..." thoughts I mentioned in another post.

    You should be able to reduce your pred dose back to 9mg after a short burst of high dose pred like that. You might find you need a bit more because of the stress of the pleurisy. Yes, it does hurt - OH had it years ago. 

    • margaret22251
      margaret22251 EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen sorry to bother you, but my doctor put me on co-amoxiclav a penicillian for seven days, and thats when i started with some problems, could i be alleric to penicillion.

      Thanks Margaret

    • EileenH
      EileenH margaret22251

      Posted

      What sort of problems? Itching and so on? You could be allergic - or it might just be a reaction without being a proper allergy. Can't tell without knowing a bit more.

      I have found I have reacted to quite a few things since I've had PMR. It improved when I was on a higher dose of pred but it has returned since going well below 10mg - the pred will have damped down any allergic reactions before. 

    • margaret22251
      margaret22251 EileenH

      Posted

      yes itching all over my body and the corner of my eye lids are puffy
    • EileenH
      EileenH margaret22251

      Posted

      Yes Sheilamac - does to me too. If you can't call your practice to ask their advice, call 111 if you can and ask them for advice. And certainly if you get worse, the puffyness gets worse or you find it difficult to breathe at all - definitely call 111. Any worse than that - call 999. 
  • tina-uk_cwall
    tina-uk_cwall marykay62062

    Posted

    Hello marykay, sorry to hear of your recent problems. Sorry I can help you with the clash of medications other than to say, sometimes we have no choice but to take numerous medications that may have a negative effect and sometimes it's a matter of simply weighing up the pros against the cons?

    hopefully a member will be along soon with some more constructive advice.

    however, I just thought I'd support you re your reduction. I have also had PMR for one and a half years although I was diagnosed three months after symptoms started so have actually been on prednisolone for one year three months. I am presently on 9mgs. I did the normal 15 for 6 weeks, 12.5 for 6 weeks then I was prescribed 10mgs for 6 months. I then reduced 1 mg down to 9 mgs with no problem but either suffered from steriod withdrawel or a flare up twice whilst reducing from 9to 8 mgs. This all happened during late October and late November last year so I upped my dose to 10mgs for 6 weeks, then I am following the very very slow reduction method from there on in. I only reduce by a half and stay on each dose for 6 weeks. I am currently on 9mgs with up till now no problems. My Dr is very good but even if she wasn't I will reduce how I want to reduce will try to avoid another flare at all costs. 

    Pmr inflamation that the steriods only control will burn itself out at its pace and not the drs pace. Stand your ground in relation to reduction of preds. Regards, christina 

  • Susanne_M_UK
    Susanne_M_UK marykay62062

    Posted

    Hi Marykay

    No particular advice to offer, but I just wanted to add my sympathies about the pleurasy. It is indeed excruciatingly painful. I had it many years ago when I was much younger and fitter and still remember the pain! Just a warning that it left me very exhausted even after I had recovered, so you need to be aware.

    I was on a high level of painkillers that left me floating!

    Hope you can manage the pain and recover soon.

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