Oops, took double dose of Prednisone!

Posted , 12 users are following.

Hi all,

I have had PMR for a couple of years, down to 3.5 mils of pred. Yesterday I found a deer tick attached to my ear, and got worried about Lymes disease, (which I think started all my PMR in the first place). I think the 3.5 mils of pred is just barely doing the job, I've been quite achey lately at night, and numbness in my hands and toes. So last night, (well actually at 2 am), I thought I'd up my dosage by half a mil. But this morning I realized I took 6 mils. All aches are gone. But my question is: Can I go right back to my usual dosage, or do I have to taper slow, back down? Thanks so much.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    you can go right back down, per similar posts ive read on the same subject. in the meantime enjoy your day. except you might be needing 4, not 3 1/2. best wishes!

  • Posted

    Well, you could but as you say your 3.5 mgs. was barely taking care of the pain maybe you do need to increase your dose.

    I'm not quite clear how much you have taken and when. Had you, on the day before taking the accidental extra 6. already taken the routine 3.5? In other words 9.5? That would be quite a big increase but, unless there are special circumstances, it would be ok to return to the 3.5 straight away if that's what you want to do. I say this with confidence but only based on my own experience when, at one stage and due to an allergic reaction to Penicillin, I had to increase from around 8mgs. to 20 on hospital instructions and was told is was safe to return to my original 8 after a week on 20.

    Not medically qualified, of course but hope this helps.

  • Posted

    No problem - just go back to whatever dose you think is best tomorrow. Everyone has done it at some point - and it is far better than taking half a dose! But it sounds as if it may need to be nearer 5mg than 3.5mg

    And enjoy the better day today!!!!!

  • Posted

    Patricia, I would stay on the 6mg for 3 to 4 days, if PMR pain free drop to 4 mg for 3 or 4 days. Still pain free continue taper or start over. Good luck on the rest of your PMR journey. 🙂

  • Posted

    Sounds dreadful.

    According to New Zealand medical officials, Lyme disease isn't present in this country. Glad about that. I also read it is treated with anti-biotics? Hope it goes away permanently.

    Don't worry about the occasional oops with prednisone. I've done this several times when I had GCA, (sometimes forgot to take it ) and wondered if a double dose would make my moonface expand as a result.

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