PARACETAMOL

I can't think that the paracetamol will upset the steroids at all, but the [i:392a904d2a]stress[/i:392a904d2a] involved might well upset the PMR!

As one who has a nervous breakdown at the thought of going to the dentist let alone having extractions I would probably be putting up the Pred dose for a few days to help me cope. As healing can take longer when on steroids, you might find you need to use the paracetamol for longer than would be usual.

I believe that the guidance is to put up the dose when there is any known prospect of stressful activities - Mrs O, Eileen, I'm sure I have read that somewhere?

Hope you recover well and quickly.

Nefret

i expect a lot of people will write to you, i will only say that i take up to eight paracetomal a day, and when i was on steroids i asked about their reaction with the steroids, and my doctor said they would not affect them at all, so continue to take them. so i did. margaret e.

Hello Brenda

Poor you as if PMR isn't enough to cope with without having to have teeth extracted!

As Nefret has said, Paracetamol is fine with steroids and, hopefully, the Paracetmaol will get you through the stressful couple of days without the need to increase the steroids.

I'm assuring that you had a LOCAL anaesthetic? Generally, it is recommended that the steroids are increased just prior to any surgery where GENERAL anaesthetic is involved and the increased dose continued for a few days.

I sympathise with Nefret's \"nervous breakdown at the thought of going to the dentist\" but it has been my wallet that has been having the breakdown over the last couple of years with so many fractured teeth necessitating new crowns - yet another side effect of the steroids I'm told by my rheumatologist :roll:

Now no more sliding about on the ice - a little drop more water with it perhaps! :lol:

Love and best wishes for feeling fine soon.

MrsO

Hi all - especially Brenda,

The current perceived wisdom is that you don't need extra steroids for dental work if you are on the equivalent of 20mg/day or less. Proper studies have been done and no risk has been found but they do suggest that if you are very apprehensive you should have your blood pressure checked regularly during and after the procedure to make sure you are not suffering from too low a BP.

Also if you feel any of the symptoms that would suggest your adrenals or stress response weren't feeling too happy you should ask your doctor - that includes fatigue, weakness, nausea, dizziness (possibly due to the low blood pressure, often worse when you change position because your body is taking its time to catch up). It may not be a problem but it is better to be safe than sorry and end up in hospital with an adrenal crisis.

One or two people have said recently on the forum that they have some of these symptoms after reducing their steroid dose quite quickly over recent weeks so I'd just like to plug this a bit. Be careful when reducing your dose and if you do find you are having \"funny turns\" or dizziness - go and ask the doctor, tell him you have been reducing your dose and how you feel. It's far better to ca' canny and take a bit longer to reduce than to end up in A&E being admitted to hospital!

In terms of the PMR - anything out of the ordinary can make you feel worse and taking a bit extra for just one or two days might just tip the balance as to how you are. Rick from the US did just that recently and checked with his rheumatologist who said that was what he would have said to do.

Paracetamol - probably the best painkiller to use with steriods. Aspirin and ibuprofen are both not advisable when you are taking steroids as they also irritate the stomach and that would increase the risk of that problem. I take the odd single dose but wouldn't take them regularly over several days. Aspirin and ibuprofen both also affect the way your blood clots so with a tooth extraction they are not really a good idea. However - the transferance of pain principle always worked when we were younger didn't it? I'm sure I remember being asked if I wanted a good reason for crying :lol: - I suppose nowadays that would count as child abuse??????

Hope the ice bruises go away quickly - I hope you also put ice (or frozen peas) on them when you got home! Arnica cream/gel is what you need for the bruises - and I swear by taking the oral homeopathic version for bruises and pain. I had a metal plate removed from my leg and didn't have a single bruise or any significant pain - walking fine the next morning, much to the nurses' and physio's amazement.

EileenH

Many Thanks for your replies about Paracetamol.

I've been taking Prednisolone for 3 Years now, and during the last 18 months, it seems as if I'm never away from the Dentist. I've had crowns breaking off, fillings falling out, extractions etc, so I was interested in comments from Mrs O on the same subject.!

We still have lots of snow and Ice to contend with here in Thirsk, walking is very difficult. I bought myself a Nordic Pole yesterday. When I took my dog out this morning I felt a bit more confident.

My gum is not so painful this morning, so after two days of soups, porridge etc I'm going to attempt a curry tonight!

Hope you are all keeping warm.

Brenda.

[i:c59a2b000b]Hello Brenda. Sorry you had to go to the dentist. I am terrified of them....Bad temper for at least a week and take it all out of my husband....Poor thing....But you are lucky that you can take Paracetamol. I cannot take pain killers, full stop. Expecially Para. It stops me breathing ! Very bad! Aspirins and others upsept my stomach. Iboprufen, nearly killed me !.....I am lucky that my pain threshold is high, so I can manage.EileenH is the guardian Angel of us all suffering PMR and her advice is invaluable. Hope you are better from your fall, and the teeth.soon. Granny Moss[/i:c59a2b000b]

Hello all

Yes I too am a paracetamol taker with no problems Took some this morning as i have really lifted and carried far to much this last few days

The talk of dental treatment reminded me ( getting forgetful in my old age !!) There was I think an opera singer speaking on my local radio the other morning and she had been a great fan of Manuka honey but is now having dreadful dental problems and has been told it was beacuse of the honey ?? Perhaps if you do take it ( I know there are a few fans on here )

straight of to clean your teeth

Oh its nicer to be a bit warmer today Not for long though !

Best wishes

Mrs G

Regarding the Aspirin, those with GCA should have 75mg per day (soluble)(

The exclusion for this is contained in Recommendation 7 in following:

BSR & BHPR Guidelines for the Management of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

Guidelines prepared by a working group consisting of members of the rheumatology, ophthalmology and general practice communities, together with patient representatives.

You can visit the BSR site, NHS site or www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk and read up or download.

I assume that before you stop taking Aspirin you will discuss this with your medical guys.

I queried why I was being prescribed Aspirin as the pred is a blood thinner. The explanation was the aspirin had different properties. I got the same answer from the Chemist.

Hallo Brenda hope you are feeling better at both ends!.

Re paracetamol, I have never found this makes the slightest difference to any pain I have ever had. Until PMR I had seldom taken pills but dentist gave them for extraction pain. Totally useless so I never bothered again. A stiff scotch does the job but havent found anyone who gives a prescription for Grouse, sadly.

I don't think I'll worry too much about the Manuka honey. Shouldn't think it would affect plastic which most of mine are and much better than those I was born with.

Went out today for the first time for 3 weeks. Managed to stay upright but some of the roads and the Tesco car-park were lethal. Felt really pleased with myself, though, as I went to five different shops, finished all Christmas shopping, and we have enough for a siege so intend staying put if it all freezes again as promised. Ached a bit but not badly enough to make me think of giving up on 6.5. It's a wek now. Wil have an easy day tomorrow and see what that does for me.

Keep warm and comfortable, all, if you can.