Side Effect Maybe?
Posted , 6 users are following.
I've been on 15mg Prednisolone for 4 weeks and for the past week have been very constipated :oops: . Is this a possible side effect? I've read through the leaflet (please tell me I won't suffer every single one of the side effects listed :o ) but constipation doesn't seem to be there. Thought this fountain of knowledge might be able to advise Regards Lizzie Ellen
0 likes, 15 replies
Devonshire_Dumpling
Posted
I'm no expert, but since suffering with PMR and also being on the steroids, I do find that I can be constipated for a while, and then the complete opposite. Sorry to tell you that, but forewarned is forearmed !
Of course you may not find the same happens, but if you suffer for any longer, have a word with your GP.
Hope you get it sorted !!
DD
Spammy
Posted
I have not been using this site for some time as I am just jogging along.
but I do still read all the comments.
I have had PMR for a year last August. when I was put on 20mg Prednisolone. I was doing well and had come down to 5 mg but by July was feeling bad again and as we were going on holiday my doctor put me back to 10mg. At one stage my doctor gave me some very strong pain killers which made me very constipated but since then I have been ok even though I am still taking the Prednisolene.
As I am down to 5mg I am sticking it out, I don't want to go up again as it takes twice as long to get off them. Anyhow getting back to your constipation, I was dreadful until I stopped the pain killers my doctor gave me so maybe that is your trouble. Some days I feel rearly bad and other days I am fine, well almost, so now I just take paracetamal for my pains. I still get the shakes within, at least no one sees them.
And if I am tired I have a sleep. I went to a W.I meeting last week and nearly fell asleep there I just felt myself nodding off during the speaker. mind you they did go on a bit.
I wish you well keep smiling. :D
Spammy
queenbee
Posted
Betty
Guest
Posted
Lizzie_Ellen
Posted
Mrs_G
Posted
mrs_k
Posted
Apart from steroids, what else is there to control the symptoms of PMR.
There currently is no known cause or cure and the steroids are alleviating the pain with which PMR manifests.
In the case of GCA ‘steroids’ stand between you and loss or partial loss of sight.
5mg is classed as a ‘low dose’ (some say 7.5mg) – and yes it is more difficult to come down when trying to get below 5mg as the percentage drop is higher the lower the dose you are trying to get from and too.
PMR has a mind of its own and it quite quickly lets you know that it is still around. PMR decides when it will go and come.
A loud noise needs to be made to get more research into these two orphan diseases and to find, if not cause and cure, friendlier medication. Some trials are taking place.
Visit www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk and look under research. But until money - yes that stuff we are all short of – is found to fund more research - steroids it is or its sister Methotextrate and even that has to be taken with steroids initially and is not a cure either.
In the meantime, we need to help ourselves and ask each other does this happen or that or just moan. And its great to have this site to do just these things and it helps you to understand PMR a bit better and it has educated me over the last 3 years.
I am not standing up for steroids, as after 3 years of high dosage I have just managed to get down to 7.5mg. But I do bless the person who discovered them as I have GCA.
There are 82 listed side effects on the web somewhere, but I have never come across anybody that has had them all. I count myself lucky.
Antibiotics, painkillers and indeed most tablets seem to cause constipation and less activity does not help, but try and walk, do gentle exercise, gentle aqua aerobics and power plates all help, but as others have said, there are a lot of natural products you can take.
Bran (chuck it into stews, tarts, curries et al) it disappears and you do not even know its there as it has no taste. Friendly ‘bacteria’ products are also good.
Well, that’s my sixpennorth and I hope it helps
Here is hoping either friendly medication or a cure is found as soon as possible. someone, somewhere is bound to crack it sometime.
In the meantime I hope your pmr decides to take a hike all by itself.
Guest
Posted
Cameron
Posted
As bad as I am many mornings, by every evening I am much recovered. I find evening exercise gives me a much better following day. In my case I go (sequence) dancing three evenings each week and it is definitely helping (can't do as much as I used to, but still put a lot into it). Mornings after I have not danced can be difficult.
I take paracetamol occasionally to see me through a really bad patch.
Constipation came and went. Thank goodness for Prednisolone. By the way I was very fit before being afflicted. PMR seems to haver been the result of an extended (and very painful) Carpal Tunnel episode. Both hands and now relieved by surgery.
Chin up!
Guest
Posted
I don't know about prednisolone causing constipation but I do know that painkillers containing codeine are utterly, utterly bunging up. Raw grated beetroot is very good for those who like beetroot - particularly raw. I am a great fan of juicing and juice up a mixture every day of carrot, celery, apple, beetroot and anything else to hand like mint for the stomach. Cabbage is also very good for the stomach which is under attack from prednisolone but needs to be mixed with something else to make it taste better. All this along with a nice, organic low fat yoghurt seems to benefit. and oh yes - champagne is a good painkiller....!! Perhaps NICE should be informed.
Hope this helps
Margaret
Lizzie_Ellen
Posted
And Margaret, thanks for the suggestions. My partner had a good laugh as the only food on this earth that I detest is? Yep, beetroot :lol: Love cabbage (just had a plate full) and adore low fat yogurt, so please will you let me off the beetroot? So as not to upset you I promise to give the champagne a go :D Seriously though, I had to take codeine after the knee op so I'm guessing that was the culprit. All back to normal now!
Thanks again to everyone for their help.
Regards Lizzie Ellen
Spammy
Posted
I alway keep tined prunes in, just in case I get contipated, they are by a popular brand and are only 99p per tin. Can get them in the larger super markets and they are very tasty and cheap. You would pay more for fresh and I think they are better. :o
Spammy
Posted
I alway keep tinned figs in, just in case I get contipated, they are by a popular brand and are only 99p per tin. Can get them in the larger super markets and they are very tasty and cheap. You would pay more for fresh and I think they are better. :o
Spammy
Posted
As you can see I have sent you two replies, I did mean to say Figs as in the second one although tinned prunes are nice too but I love figs and they are better than the dried ones.
Keep smiling Spammy :oops: :roll:
Lizzie_Ellen
Posted
Thanks again.