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What to expect if you miss one or more doses.?

Posted , 9 users are following.

paul45653
paul45653

There will of course be variations between patients in this regard, but I would be interested to know what to expect and when if I were to be separated from my pred. for several days as on a trip where it was misplaced etc. Normal flare or something else? Need to be able to differentiate from some new problem requiring attention. 

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Nefret
    Nefret paul45653

    Posted

    The simple answer is don't.  Make sure at all times that you have emergency supplies to hand - I carry 40mg Pred at all times when I am out.

    Steroids can't be treated with a careless hand.  For some on the higher doses missing even one dose could be serious as it could lead to an adrenal insufficiency.

    Most of us have forgotten/missed one dose at times, but I know when it happened to me that increasing pain alerted me and I was able to put it right from my emergency store.

    • Light
      Light Nefret

      Posted

      I'm sure all of this is true. But sometimes you miss because you can't avoid it.... like if you have a vomiting attack and can't keep your food down.

      It's a very important question.  Any advice for such a saituation?

    • Nefret
      Nefret Light

      Posted

      If I were in such a case I would be taking - or at least attempting to take - replacement salts e.g. Dioralyte and would take it with that.  I've found I do keep those down even when plain water is a no-no.
  • ken78211
    ken78211 paul45653

    Posted

    Paul, I have had PMR for two months. I started on 30mg and have been reduced to 25 after 30 days. I take 15 at 8am and 10 at 8pm , if I am more than one hour late taking these , shoulder pain and finger numbness set in immediately. Have a separate stash that you can always get to.
  • Oregonjohn-UK
    Oregonjohn-UK paul45653

    Posted

    Paul -The advice other have given is correct - never miss!!   There is some conflict around as to when it should be taken - the best advice I have come accross is to take it in one dose, after food, in the morning. Spliting the dose can cause problems as it's more effective during waking hours.  Am a little supprised that Ken's high dose is for so long as the 28 days usually starts at around 15mg?
  • erika59785
    erika59785 paul45653

    Posted

    I agree....don't miss, and always carry at least some with you....40 mg-60 mg, just in case of an GCA attack....one never knows.  I explained this to my GP, and he prescribed extra 10 mg Prednisone for me to have handy.
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy paul45653

    Posted

    If you miss one dose I am sure you will be very careful to never do it again. Having said that I managed to do it twice, but there will definitely not be a third time. Don't even think about trying it.
  • heather39822
    heather39822 paul45653

    Posted

    I delayed my morning dose of 30 for a fasting blood test. Within four hours the pain had started and by the time I took the dose at lunchtime, I was crippled. I paid the price for my naivety for 24 hours. Never again!
  • EileenH
    EileenH paul45653

    Posted

    You must carry pred with you all the time - and if you are on a trip then you need it in your handluggage, checked luggage and a pack in your pocket so you don't end up with none. Plus a prescription/letter from the doctor soif you do losse them all you can get more relatively easily.

    If you have been on longterm pred and suddenly stop it it CAN lead to an adrenal crisis and that can make you very ill indeed, if not recognised it can be life-threatening. 

    Forgetting the tablets for a day or so will just lead to a return of the symptoms which may then be more difficult to get under control. More than that, especially at the higher doses, and you really are risking your health. This isn't a normal pain killer that you can take/not take at will. This has a big effect on your hormonal status and after as few as a few weeks at a moderate dose your adrenal glands become suppressed - without their cortisol production you need an artificial supply or you can develop similar problems to those in an Addisonian crisis (where the adrenal glands simily don't work due to disease).

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