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PMR, switch to MEDROL for the rash

Posted , 3 users are following.

kathy67492
kathy67492

Hi...I have tried creams and sprays and Benedryl for this rash I have...looks like hives and is spreading. The Urgent Care doctor gave me a packet of MEDROL to take for 6 days. Is MEDROL just a stronger prednisone?

I stopped my regular 9 mg dose of the prednisone today, in order to take the MEDROL...then will go back to the regular prednisone. Why didn't he just up the dose of my regular prednisone? Tomorrow I will see a Dermatologist and maybe find out if this rash is hives. So itchy it is driving me crazy!

Any input is appreciated...Thank you!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH kathy67492

    Posted

    Medrol is just a different version of pred - that really strikes me as a bit pointless.

    Here in Italy they don't use plain prednisolone at all, there is only Medrol which is methyl prednisolone. That means it has an extra chemical group added to it and that is SUPPOSED to make it more antiinflammatory and so better. I was on it for about 9 months and it didn't work for me at all, I ended up on a much higher dose which still didn't achieve anything for the PMR. The side effects over that time were awful. 

    A cortisone cream would have been better I'd have thought since you are already on pred. Did you make it clear to him that you were already on pred? I hope the Medrol dose is at least higher than you are on anyway. In fact - if you are seeing a dermy tomorrow I'd put off taking the Medrol.

    One possibility is that your PMR isn't simple PMR but a symptom of a different vasculitis and referral to a specialist would be a good idea if the dermy can't come up with something. I sympathise with the itching - I was put on a heart medication a couple of years ago that caused an unbelieveable rash. I was on Medrol at the time and it did nothing! Only stopping the medication stopped the rash and itching.

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey kathy67492

    Posted

    Kathy

    I did a reply to the post you sent yesterday, asking whether Psoriatic Arthritis has been suggested?  I have known people who have been diagnosed with PMR which has later been changed to a diagnosis of Psoriatic Arthritis.  Quite possible to have both as well.  The treatment would still be steroids, plus another medication, possibly Methrotrexate.

     

    • kathy67492
      kathy67492 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Thank you! My rheumatologist thinks my rash is unrelated to the PMR or the prednisone and does not think I have Psoriatic Arthritis....but good to explore all the options.
    • EileenH
      EileenH kathy67492

      Posted

      Your description doesn't really fit with psoriatric arthritis though or I would have mentioned it. PMR symptoms appear in a wide range of other things though and that is a possibility that needs consideration.
    • kathy67492
      kathy67492 EileenH

      Posted

      It is my understanding that the MEDROL Pack provides a "burst" of medication in a specific manner....21 tablets taken over 6 days...am, lunchtime, dinner time, bedtime in a rotating fashion. I have already taken 3 tablets today and the itch is lessened. Will still see the dermatologist tomorrow to see if he can identify this rash.
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