Realistic Expectations from Pred
Posted , 10 users are following.
My GP said symptoms would disappear and I would feel energised after 48 hours. This didn't happen. We've upped the dose to 20mg and the symptoms have much improved. However I am still slightly achy - and after lunch with a friend and a walk about town was flat out and had to rest. I'd love to know how you all have reacted to Pred. Was it a wonder drug and did it banish all your symptoms? I'll take slight achiness and stiffness over crunchy grabby pain any time - but just interested...
0 likes, 73 replies
celia14153
Posted
Thank you all for the help I got here. An update in case it helps someone else. I upped the dosage to 20mg and got relief, now on 25mg to see if it will help with final niggles. I've understood the need for pacing, rest and activity and am talking to a nutritionist to see if diet can help reduce the inflammation. My expectations, and now those of my GP are infinitely more realistic, thanks to you. If it hadn't been for the forum I would probably have given up and gone down a different route, perhaps not receiving the benefits of the steroid treatment alongside the extra care I must take. The relief of pain, increased mobility, and just being able to feel 'normal' again are wonderful.
Michdonn celia14153
Posted
celia14153, couple of things, I am now coming down from a bad flare-up, don't reduce until pain free, try to stay active increase active slowly, but keep increasing activity. I started 30 decreasing by 10% . Good luck you can do it! Keep smiling, it does help!
sandy65909 celia14153
Posted
She said low carb low fat diet to prevent weight gain from Pred. I eat 5-6 times a day protein, vegetables and fruit. No wine (which is killing me), cookies, bread, etc.
EileenH sandy65909
Posted
I tried all the exclusion things - nightshades made no difference to me except to limit my diet even further! I rarely eat potatoes anyway though. And eat low carb. If you are low carb even without low fat it will prevent weight gain - and you have to eat something to fill you up! Too much fruit (and it doesn't take a lot) will take you out of low carb very quickly - I need to be below about 30g useable carbs to lose weight. Removing sugar and simple carbs is good for the inflammation.
OTOH - red wine and dark chocolate are both felt to be anti-flammatory. You DO have to have something enjoyable in moderation - PMR may be a very long journey.
sandy65909 EileenH
Posted
I appreciate your quick response. How much fruit equals 30 g? Just ate 2 plums this morning. Is that it for the day?
How much magnesium? Any brand I can buy in NY or online? How 'bout turmeric? Am't? Brand?
How about Pred brain...forgetfulness, not finding precise words?
Thanks for addressing random concerns.
EileenH sandy65909
Posted
As I said the other place you asked - can't recommend anything for magnesium as I just get the cheapest from the supermarket! And I don't use turmeric - doesn't fit with the cooking style (if it takes more than 20 mins or has more than 5 ingredients, forget it!
Yes, 30g useable carbs per day - google it, loads of sites tell you the amounts in various foods. I found this:
"Foods that contain 15 grams of carbs include:
A small piece of fruit
1 slice of bread
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1/3 cup cooked pasta or rice
4 to 6 crackers
1/2 cup black beans or other starchy vegetable
1/4 large baked potato
2/3 cup nonfat yogurt
2 small cookies
1/2 cup ice cream or sherbet
6 chicken nuggets
1/2 cup of casserole
1/4 serving of medium french fries"
sandy65909 EileenH
Posted
celia14153 sandy65909
Posted
Hi Sandy, she's got back to me with some ideas - more veg, giving dairy a miss replacing with almond milk (delicious), gluten free etc. I'll give it a try for 6-8 weeks and see what it does. It's pretty healthy so it may keep weight gain at bay. I'll let you know how it goes.
sandy65909 celia14153
Posted
Thanks Celia. I have severe osteoporosis so I started eating sardines which I find dreadful. Calcium pills leak from my urine so I do eat yogurt, cottage cheese and low fat cheese. I will find seaweed and try it.
Keep the suggestions coming! I am 5 weeks on the PMR journey and trying to adjust. Couldn't do it without help!
ptolemy sandy65909
Posted
In Wales laverbread is very popular and is made out of fine seaweed and resembles a sort of purée. Personally I find it disgusting but a lot of friends enjoy it. Some fry it with bacon for breakfast.