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Alternate days for Prednisone Dose

Posted by tiateacake @tiateacake, Jul 26 11:19pm

When I had a problem dropping from 12.5 to 10, I put myself on 11mg and it worked. I did manage to get a phone appointment two weeks after requesting one with the nurse and she agreed it was the right thing to do. About to load up pill pots for the last two weeks of 11mg before dropping to 10mg. Common sense tells me I should try alternate days of 11mg/10mg and then my body will have more time to get used to it during that last two weeks. When I drop to the 6 week 10mg and all goes well will do the same on the last two weeks of that, alternate 10mg/9mg. But that is a way off yet, if I am wrong then my body will point that out quick enough.

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tiateacake | @tiateacake | Jul 29 11:09pm
In reply to @mtr2601 "I chop up the pills myself, it's a pain dealing with the tiny pills. In Australia..." + (show)
@mtr2601

I chop up the pills myself, it's a pain dealing with the tiny pills. In Australia they only come in 1mg and 5mg. They disintegrate if I'm not careful, have to line up the score mark on the pill cutter to get half then very carefully cut the half again with a sharp knife. It's not precise but definitely working for me. It's a source of constant amazement to me that such a minute quantity of a drug can have a profound effect on my body !!! I notice the difference in pain levels within 3 days of such a minor change..if the pain doesn't settle after 3 days and I need Paracetamol to get me through the day, I know I need to wait a few extra days before making the next reduction. I believe I can get off the Prednisone completely but will probably need the Plaquinil (possibly at a higher dose) for quite a while in order to continue functioning.

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I never knew such thing as a pill cutter existed, only time I have had to take pills before was for the two weeks after each joint replacement. I have ordered one as reducing by half does make a lot of sense when I get closer to 7mg. Plus that will be the time of year we get our flu and Covid jab so not upsetting the immune system will be on my mind.

REPLY
tiateacake | @tiateacake | Jul 31 8:46am
In reply to @mtr2601 "I chop up the pills myself, it's a pain dealing with the tiny pills. In Australia..." + (show)
@mtr2601

I chop up the pills myself, it's a pain dealing with the tiny pills. In Australia they only come in 1mg and 5mg. They disintegrate if I'm not careful, have to line up the score mark on the pill cutter to get half then very carefully cut the half again with a sharp knife. It's not precise but definitely working for me. It's a source of constant amazement to me that such a minute quantity of a drug can have a profound effect on my body !!! I notice the difference in pain levels within 3 days of such a minor change..if the pain doesn't settle after 3 days and I need Paracetamol to get me through the day, I know I need to wait a few extra days before making the next reduction. I believe I can get off the Prednisone completely but will probably need the Plaquinil (possibly at a higher dose) for quite a while in order to continue functioning.

Jump to this post

Just used a pill cutter. Brilliant little gadget.

REPLY
tiateacake | @tiateacake | Aug 7 1:55am

As I am feeling pretty good which is due to increase in exercise I have decided to make my half Pred pill into a quarter for the last 4 days of this course. So grateful for the advice in this group. Hopefully when I start the 10mg again on Monday there will be no problems. No reason for there to be any but I know it is there just waiting.

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andirae | @andirae | Aug 8 11:02am

Trying to understand this alternate day idea. Attempting to go from 6 to 5. Been a tougher go and at day 10. Not extreme discomfort.
My dr hasn’t said anything about it. Wondering if it would help?

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