Recently diagnosed, symptom question

Posted by sjf1024 @sjf1024, Sep 2 9:03am

I have been recently diagnosed with PMR and have been on prednisone for about a month. I have noticed a pattern in my physical reaction and am wondering if this is typical. I wake up around 6 am with some low level aches. Do morning routines, make breakfast etc. and take prednisone around 8. During that 2 hour period I can actually feel my body tightening up and the pain increasing. After I take pills it takes another hour or two before the pain level drops and remains low till next morning. Is it typical for pain to increase over the morning period and take that long to decrease?

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@johnbishop

I always took my prednisone dose before eating breakfast although I did sometimes have part of a banana. I did read that it can cause gastric issues but I never really had any problems taking it without food for both of my occurrences of PMR. Probably comes from eating all that junk food in my younger days working at McDonald's. 🙃

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The incidence of heartburn or indigestion (severe and continuous) isn't known on Mayo's list of Prednisone side effects.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/prednisone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20075269
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Nothing seems to bother my gut that much. I rarely have breakfast in the morning. I took famotipine and a handful of other pills for Prednisone side effects every morning without food. I told my rheumatologist all the pills were my breakfast.

I'm a big believer in lots of water whenever pills are taken. Those patients who popped pills into their mouth and swallowed them without water would drive me bonkers.

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Sorry you have joined the "club".

When I was first diagnosed, I took my dose of Prednisone AS SOON as I could shuffle into the kitchen in the morning. I hurt so terribly that I couldn't wait to get some relief. You might try taking the medicine sooner.

It took about an hour of agony before I felt better. I was so stiff and achy that I could never plan to leave the house before noon.

Nine months later, I've tapered to 6mg and generally feel like I'll be in remission soon.

Yoga, swimming, and walking have gotten me here.

Wishing you the best.

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@dadcue

The incidence of heartburn or indigestion (severe and continuous) isn't known on Mayo's list of Prednisone side effects.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/prednisone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20075269
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Nothing seems to bother my gut that much. I rarely have breakfast in the morning. I took famotipine and a handful of other pills for Prednisone side effects every morning without food. I told my rheumatologist all the pills were my breakfast.

I'm a big believer in lots of water whenever pills are taken. Those patients who popped pills into their mouth and swallowed them without water would drive me bonkers.

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I take a lot of neuropathy supplement pills and 2 for high BP also and was taking them when my PMR was active so took everything before breakfast. I'm a big believer in a lot of water too and can't pop pills without. I usually never drink less than 12 to 16 oz of water when I'm taking my pills.

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@megz

That was lucky. I've read so many warnings about making sure to take it with or after food or milk that it's not something I'd risk. The Mayo prednisone info says "Take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation" and my prescription bottles say "Take as directed with food."

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Guess I've got an iron clad stomach! I take my dose practically before my eyes are open.

At first, I'd do the penguin walk into the kitchen and take my Prednisone before I did ANYTHING else. Then I'd fix a bowl of oatmeal and fruit.

Thankful that it has never irritated me.

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@nancy53

Guess I've got an iron clad stomach! I take my dose practically before my eyes are open.

At first, I'd do the penguin walk into the kitchen and take my Prednisone before I did ANYTHING else. Then I'd fix a bowl of oatmeal and fruit.

Thankful that it has never irritated me.

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Maybe that's close enough to being "with food".

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@johnbishop

I take a lot of neuropathy supplement pills and 2 for high BP also and was taking them when my PMR was active so took everything before breakfast. I'm a big believer in a lot of water too and can't pop pills without. I usually never drink less than 12 to 16 oz of water when I'm taking my pills.

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Perfect ... except my little water cups in the hospital were probably 4 oz cups. I would be happy when someone wanted more water as long as they didn't take their pills one at a time.

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@megz

Prednisone should always be taken after food to avoid gastric problems and possible damage. I see there are prednisone tablets marked "enteric coated" or "gastro resistant" which can be taken without food, but they are the only exception.

It doesn't need to be a big meal. I take my morning dose after a full milk coffee.

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Thanks for the build. I do take mine on an empty stomach, however it is within 15 minutes of eating so it's a little of both.
The important thing to keep in mind is that our bodies are biochemical engines. No two are alike thus rules are guidelines.

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@jabrown0407

Thanks for the build. I do take mine on an empty stomach, however it is within 15 minutes of eating so it's a little of both.
The important thing to keep in mind is that our bodies are biochemical engines. No two are alike thus rules are guidelines.

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"The important thing to keep in mind is that our bodies are biochemical engines."

The mix of biochemicals is different for everyone. My mix of biochemicals are good for me as long they don't get out of whack.

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@johnbishop

I take a lot of neuropathy supplement pills and 2 for high BP also and was taking them when my PMR was active so took everything before breakfast. I'm a big believer in a lot of water too and can't pop pills without. I usually never drink less than 12 to 16 oz of water when I'm taking my pills.

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Good heavens. Maybe I'm making my daily routines more complicated by taking things strictly as directed: prednisone just after food twice a day, apixaban twice a day with a full glass of water, K2 & VitE & CoQ10 & D3 after an oily meal, Magnesium & D3 after the other meal, Melatonin at least 2hrs after the evening prednisone. Now I'm wondering if I can throw the whole lot down in the morning with a glass of water. *wink* Well maybe not the whole lot, but I'm definitely going to simplify things somehow.

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@megz

Maybe that's close enough to being "with food".

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I think so.

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