Reducing steroids

Posted , 6 users are following.

I was diagnosed with PMR 1 year ago. As I was in severe pain my GP started me on 30 mg Prednisolone which I now realise was quite a hefty dose to start on. However with the advice of my Rheumatogist I have managed to taper quite successfully to now being on 7mg. Following the advice of other sufferers I reduced at my own pace and not what some GPs say. My question is : do others suffer on the 1mg tablets. I am ok on the 5mg but the minute I introduce the 1 mg my tummy really plays up with discomfort and pain? Do the coated tablets help? So far I have not asked my GP for these as I know they are reluctant because of the cost compared to the U coated ones.

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    If you are in the UK (and to get enteric coated you need to be, not available anywhere else) the price difference between plain and enteric coated is minimal - it wasn't once upon a time but when the NHS said not to use enteric coated the manufacturers changed the price so there was far less difference! 

    30 enteric coated tablets cost £1.86

    30 plain tablets cost £1.31

    30 tablets of omeprasole cost £1.86

    So a bit of simple arithmetic shows that enteric coated are actually cheaper than plain plus omeprazole. And for each prescription there is a dispensing fee - so two for plain plus omeprazole, one for enteric coated. And one less layer of side effects (far more important than a minor difference in price.

    There is now a 1mg version of the enteric coated, yellow in colour  - google "1mg gastroresistant prednisolone" to get the details. An independent chemist should be able to find it for you - don't be put off, shop around.

    If you can't find them - using the Dead Slow approach does work for 2.5mg steps providing you at least double each step.

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/reducing-pred-dead-slow-and-nearly-stop-method-531439

    • Posted

      Thanks Eileen. I am in the Uk and will follow your advice re the 1mg enteric coated tablets. It's worth a try to minimise the side effects of tummy discomfort I am experiencing. I am already on Lansoprazole.

    • Posted

      And try taking the tablets with yoghurt - plain Greek is good...
    • Posted

      I do take Yeo valley Greek yoghurt Eileen as advised on earlier posts from patients and find it a good 'liner' for the tummy. As suggested I take it first thing before tablets. 

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