Splitting low dose of prednisone?
Posted , 13 users are following.
Has anyone tried splitting your doses of prednisone if you are on a total daily dose of say 5 mgs or less?
I am thinking of trying 1 mg in the evening and 3 mgs in the early morning (about 4-4:30 am when I wake up) or maybe 2 mgs am and pm.
Thanks -
0 likes, 89 replies
Whisper2003 Mrs_CJ
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EileenH Whisper2003
Posted
Maybe 4mg is "your" dose - it is very low and associated with few side effects so is not much to worry about. Going slow now is particularly important - to let your adrenal glands wake up and function again.
Anhaga Whisper2003
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Hi Whisper, I've been working down to 3 mg myself. Now I'm quite certain the the low intensity light therapy really does help. I've been going every two weeks (having worked down from twice a week for most of the winter). And I usually find by the time I go back I'm ready to raise my dose of pred. But after the treatment I'm much better. It takes a couple of days to fully feel the benefit. And that lasts a few days. I suspect once a week or every ten days might be a more optimum space between treatments, but we are still working on figuring it out. It has, really and truly, got me to this level. I might have got here anyway, but I know it would have taken months longer. It's a lot more expensive in dollars than pred, but far more beneficial to my total physical well-being as it comes with no side effects.
If curious, google low intensity light therapy toronto
Mrs_CJ Whisper2003
Posted
Whisper I'm so glad to hear from you - your dose is about the same as mine. I think I have a quiet couple of weeks coming up so I hope to try splitting my dose then. I know what you mean about cutting the little pills, and mine don't have an indention so sometimes they don't split cleanly. Good thing they are cheap!
EileenH Mrs_CJ
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Whisper2003 Anhaga
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Thank you for this suggestion but have not found this any where near where I live.
I do have a Chinese lady treat me with a whole body acupressure treatment once a week and she monitors my reductions depending on how she finds my system is doing. She has allowed me to reduce much quicker than before and without the Leflunomide that my rheumy wants me on!
I saw her on Tuesday and she did say I was rushing the drops in Pred and to wait another 2 weeks. I'm just too impatient I think.
Whisper2003 EileenH
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Thank you Eileen. I think you are right. I'm just in too much of a rush!
Whisper2003 Mrs_CJ
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Good luck with your trial. I must admit that I found it easier to cut the 5 mg in half. Hence my failed attempt at 1 mg and 2.5 mg per day. I like to take the easy option but it didn't pay off this time! I will persevere with trying to cut the 1 mg in future.
EileenH Mrs_CJ
Posted
Are they slightly rounded on the circular surfaces? If so, someone recommended a way of halving tablets without scores (sorry, can't acknowledge them as I have no idea which forum it was on!):
Put the tablet onto a hard flat surface. Place your thumbs on opposite sides of the tablet and press down really firmly. It will break in half.
It works for some pretty small tablets I take. I have no idea what UK pred tablets are like - I only ever had enteric coated and they are not to be cut.
EileenH Whisper2003
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The low light laser therapy Anhaga describes is only available in (at most) 3 locations in the UK, London (I think), Bristol and somewhere in the Midlands. It is also fairly pricey and not covered by the NHS so without private insurance you would pay the entire price yourself.
Yes - patience, patience. patience!!!!
Anhaga Whisper2003
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Acupressure sounds interesting. Glad you've found it helpful.
Anhaga EileenH
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Mine is only covered because my physio is covered by our private insurance. It's not part of the government medicare.