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Thankyou all for advice reducing steroids the less painful way

Posted , 7 users are following.

carol16456
carol16456

Saw my doctor yesterday my bloods have levelled since last time ,so we have decided that I should try to reduce .5 mg for a week or so then if all has settled to try to drop another .5 so that by the next blood test the middle of March I would have gone to 12mg of pred from 13 . She has also given me calcium tablet and a tablet I take once a week for the bones ,and to help with neck ,head pain Anotryptolin to take at nights .

Was a bit shocked last night to find that some of my nails while filing them disintegrated down into the pink area ,and are quite sore .Wish I had asked for calcium earlier .Am not a milk drinker or lover of yoghurt ,so anyone new on this eventful journey and who doesn't have dairy products please remberance the need for calcium .Also next blood test will involve a check on the chances of a  diabetas blood level indicator .So hopefully my moaning and groaning will not be coming to you all for much longer . Will be trying to go the Chertsie group in a couple of weeks which will make me realise how lucky I am to have this PMR just in the upper body as i realise reading this forum so many are much worse of than me

2 likes, 18 replies

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  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey carol16456

    Posted

    Carol, it's always a boost to have a bit of good news.  The calcium tablet is probably calcium + Vit D, so that should help your nails.  Amazingly, I have never had strong nails but they grew stronger during my steroid days and I grew the best nails ever, and that was without the usual calcium + Vit D being prescribed, as both my rheumy and GP mistakenly thought the other had prescribed it.

    Your GP should have arranged for you to have a bone density scan before prescribing the bone protection pills.  Unless your bones show signs of either osteoporosis or osteopenia, you may not need the treatment, which is often prescribed alongside the steroids 'just in case'.  If it is Alendronic Acid, then it is advisable to have any planned dental surgery done now rather than later as dentists are not keen on carrying out some dental work on patients who are on Alendronic Acid - they usually refer such patients to hospital for such surgery.

    Just watch your sugar and certain refined carb intake whilst on steroids and, hopefully, your blood sugar levels will be fine.  

    Looking forward to meeting you at Chertsey on the 17th if you can make it.  

    • EileenH
      EileenH MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      And if you are on AA you need to be VERY good about dental hygiene! Extra vigilance is essential. Yes, it would also be a good idea to get a dental check immediately so you put off using AA until after any essential work is done. 
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