Not knowing what to do, with a UTI and prednidone
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello to you all, I have slowly been getting more pain and stiffness, then felt a UTI, so made an apt at my GP, I have been on 7.5mg pred for 27 days after 8mg, G.P said to go up to 15mg for 3 days then 10mg for 3 days then back to 7.5 not sure for how long.
I was diagnosed in Nov2017, started with 10mg then increased to 40mg after suspected GCA, I don't remember for how long, I wasn't keeping records back then, then 20mg and 15 then 12.5 for about 5 weeks.
Since then I have got down to 7.5 using the DSNS way, I have never been pain free and CRP has not been lower than 8, mostly around 16.
My question is would the UTI have been the cause of the increased pain or was I heading for a flare? I know that is maybe impossible to answer. So my next question is, I have done the 3 days on 15, G.Ps instructions are to go to 10 for the next 3 days, I have not had too much of a decrease in pain, definitely some, but am feeling like crap which I believe is the increase of pred, now the question, should I stay on 15 or take 10 for 3 days and then back to 7.5?
Thanks
0 likes, 22 replies
Roberta125 margot34956
Posted
margot34956 Roberta125
Posted
That is a great help for reduction though, 7.5mg morning and 2mg pm, I am quite excited to try that. Thank you for that.
The antibiotic is Nitrofurantoin.
Michdonn margot34956
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EileenH margot34956
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Has the UTI cleared?
margot34956 EileenH
Posted
Hello Eileen, How are you?
I have access to my medical records on line now and looked the results of the urine culture and from what I understand it seems I don't have an UTI, I had the symptoms of one on Friday, made an appointment on Friday, the results came in on Tuesday, [today] I started antibiotics on Friday, G.P did a test and there was blood present in the urine. I still have the symptoms. Quite confused now.
Thanks for your reply
ptolemy margot34956
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Twopies margot34956
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margot34956 Twopies
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Thank you Twopies, that's will be exactly what I have too, all the symptoms but no UTI, I know if I stay on the toilet after going, I do some more, that must be the bladder not fully evacuating.
so helpful to know. I have been wondering all day.
Thanks. Best wishes to you too!
margot34956 ptolemy
Posted
Thanks ptolemy
EileenH margot34956
Posted
That is one technique recommended for helping to prevent problems - always waiting about 20 seconds when you have "finished" and then trying again. It is called "double voiding" - and this article describes several variations:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316706.php
It was a problem I had years ago (so it isn't just pred or PMR affecting the muscles) and I was referred to the urology team. They did a scope of the inside of the bladder and told me there were signs of many old small infections on the bladder walls. They also decided the urethra, the tube connecting the bladder to the outside was too narrow so they stretched it. The result was nearly 10 years with no signs of a UTI. When the symptoms returned it was repeated - another 10 years or so of freedom. Now I'm on the third 10 years!! It is well worth having done if you are offered it.
margot34956 EileenH
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Anhaga margot34956
Posted
You have only been on pred since November last year? And you have never been pain free. Does the level of pain remain the same with each taper, or has it increased again over time, setting aside this current episode with the uti?
I reduced my dosage in a similar time frame, but from a lower starting dose, and to that point had been pain free. We should always aim for the same level of relief we got at the beginning of treatment at our highest dose, although there are often other issues not related to PMR which cause pain and which re-emerge as the dose declines.
So although the uti itself may not have any significant relevance to your pred dose, I'm wondering whether prior to this episode you have reduced a little too far a little too soon?
margot34956 Anhaga
Posted
I am thinking too, a little too far too soon.
Thanks for your help. Hope you are getting there
Michdonn margot34956
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patricia38799 Michdonn
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which has helped 80% but I cannot go off then for 2 days without a set back,. Think I will go back on prednisone again, could be Myalgia back. I wonder how you can really tell what one has if not by the CPR and ESR test? does anyone now an accurate test?
patricia38799 Michdonn
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Michdonn patricia38799
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Patricia, I am currently on 7 mg tapering to 6.5 using DSNS. I am very active, so from time to time I do over do it, then I must decide PMR or what I did. Try to listen to your body, does it feel like PMR or did I over do it. Take additional Pred, no help try some NSAIDS. Believe me from last year when I could not walk, till today I try to exercise every day. But first I had to get PMR pain free. The first couple of months after my bad flare were horrible. I don't know what I would have done without the Forum. EileenH and others got me moving. Thank God. Now think positive and try to smile. ??
margot34956 Michdonn
Posted
Hi Michdonn, thanks for your reply and help, I have not reduced more than 10%, using the DSNS method.
I have increased to 15 mg for three days on G.P's instructions and three days on 10mg. Would you advise staying on 15mg or 10mg? until the pain has completely gone.
staying active is easy, positive not so easy. This group is wonderful for that. Thanks .
Hope you are doing O.K
EileenH patricia38799
Posted
There is no definitive test for PMR - it is a clinical diagnosis, made on the basis of signs and symptoms and rulling out other possibilities. The CRP and ESR just tell you there is inflammation - but not what or where, they can be raised in many conditions that can look very similar .
For anyone who has had PMR symptoms return soon after stopping pred the first thought MUST be that the underlying autoimmune cause of the symptoms is still active - and was being managed OK by a very low dose.
And personally? I'd far rather be on a low dose of pred than Celebrex!!!!!
Michdonn margot34956
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patricia38799 EileenH
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margot34956 Michdonn
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Thank so much! Michdonn, I have been trying to decide all day what to do now that the three days of being on 15 are up and still in pain though not as much, the G.P is no help in that they just don't know and have told me to listen to my body, G.P advised to go back to the 7.5 I was on before the 15mg after 3 days of 10mg.
I am going to take your advise as you have experienced the inflammation getting ahead of the pred and ending up in a wheelchair. You must have been devastated!
I will stay on the 15mg.
Well done you! 25 miles is incredible! That's encouraging.
Thanks for your help.