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Split dose??

Posted , 6 users are following.

linda17563
linda17563

Just thought I`d post that I felt so ill this week, and dreaded taking the Pred, felling desperate like I was being poisoned!  thought I would split the dose 7mg with breakfast, 7mg with evening meal....this being 3rd day, don`t feel  as bad, blurred vison/balance has improved some....I know it may change in a few days, but is anyone else doing this?  i`m not sure, but I think Eileen or someone else said the USA splits the dose....will be asking Rheumy next Tuesday what she thinks.  Any comments welcome....thank you.

2 likes, 25 replies

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  • panamabob
    panamabob linda17563

    Posted

    Linda,

    Your symptoms struck a chord with me. I was down to 7mg but thought I detected pain returning and increased the dise to 10mg. Whether ut is coincidence or not I dont know,but I began to feel dizzy and my balance became impaired. The issue is complicated because I have Glaucoma in both eyes and have hearing problems too.  I have a soreness in the right side of my head which could be muscular caused by lying on a high pillow.So I dont know whether to blame pillows,Glaucoma,ear problems or Pred.Anyone have a theory.I have so many other chronic issues I dread opening up yet another can of worms.

    • linda17563
      linda17563 panamabob

      Posted

      I just assume now with all my health problems going on, that it`s either Pred or Pmr....my can of worms are stuggling to get out...but like you wouldn`t dare!!smile
  • EileenH
    EileenH linda17563

    Posted

    There have been several patients from the USA whose doctors suggested splitting the dose, especially for people who have severe morning pain and stiffness problems - usually about 2/3 in the morning and 1/3 in the late afternoon. You choose a mix that fits your tablets - 1/2 and 1/2 as well, as long as the total dose adds up to the same you would take as a single dose.

    For most people the single dose works well and it does mean less of some side-effects. But if it doesn't achieve the effect you need then there isn't a lot of point sticking to it for the sake of it.

    • jennissw
      jennissw EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen where is that link supposed to take me and what shoud I look for?

      Thanks for your help, Jen

    • jennissw
      jennissw EileenH

      Posted

      also....ha ha...more questions! why does the single dose mean less side effects...would I get worseside effects in a split?
    • EileenH
      EileenH jennissw

      Posted

      The link I gave to Steve you mean? It takes you to another thread on this forum with a post to start it with a load of other links to various reliable sources of info about PMR and GCA in general - they are there because we can't post links without them being captured for moderation - these are all pre-approved so I only have to give an in-house link so to speak which is always OK. 

      In the replies part of the thread is a slow reduction scheme which has been used successfully to get much lower by many people.

      The theory is that by taking your pred in a single dose in the morning it has less depressive effect on adrenal function. As I understand it, at doses above about 8mg that doesn't make much difference and if taking your dose that way doesn't work to achieve the symptom relief well or introduces other problem - why do it that way? Jam today is my theory...

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