Skin infections while on Prednisone

Thank you for this very useful link on vasculitis which I will keep as no doubt will be on prednisone for a while yet. My most bothersome side effect of prednisone, apart from slow healing/infections, is sleeplessness - doctor recommended Melatonin but even the smallest dose makes me groggy on a morning. She prescribed Teva Trazodone at bedtime so am hoping this will help me sleep without the grogginess but first doze was not much better than Melatonin.

Good news is that I saw my rheumatologist/internist this week and based on recent bloodwork has reduced prednisone dosage to 9 mg per day for a month, then monthly decreasage by 1 mg thereafter.

I really appreciate all the updates on PMR - thanks to all.

Sandra

That's great news Sandra! I'm lucky that sleeping has never been an issue for me...can almost sleep standing up. That can also be a bad thing. 🙂 Mayo Clinic has a couple of links that offer some suggestions. Not sure if they will work but it they help, it's better than having to take medication to help.

Sleep tips: 6 steps to better sleep
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379
Foods and Sleep
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/foods-that-help-you-sleep/faq-20057763
John

Thanks John.
I'm really suffering on the 1 mg of prednisone. I know if I go back to 3mg I will prob be much better, but I feel like I should try to get off. The problem is incredible pain in my neck and shoulders, (as you know when the prednisone dose is high enough, you don't have this pain and stiffness)I am surprised at such a low dose that I developed these fatty pockets at the base of my neck. I will be surprised if I can't stay on this 1mg bc the pain is making it hard for me to work and get through the day.
Starting Monday, I am going to try some of the Keto diet approach. I am going to enjoy some Mexican food, chips and salsa this weekend!
Barbararene

You might try just going from 1 mg to 2 mg instead of 3 to see if that reduces the pain. Then if that works, stay with it a month and then try reducing it to 1-1/2 mg and see if the pain is tolerable. The 1 mg pills can be a little difficult to split but not too bad. This was the approach my rheumatologist started me on with my first occurrence of PMR. I don't think I've ever seen a titration schedule that is set in stone recommended from any doctor. My first time tapering from 20 mg I was told to reduce by 1 mg every 3 days and if the pain was too bad to go back to the previous dose and keep doing the cycle until you can get to a lower level and finally off. My current doctor team told me to try reducing the dosage every 30 days after I had tried every week and was bouncing up and down with the dose. So now I'm playing it by ear - when I start feeling pretty good I reduce it by 1 mg.

Don't give up hope on getting off of it - just take one day at a time, you can do it!

John

Thanks John,
I decided to take 1 more, so today is 2 mg. I will see if going back to 2mg makes a difference. I think it's a good thing I have to get up and go to work everyday. Otherwise I would still be in bed!!!
Barbararene

I don't know if you are on a pill or capsule, or the strength. But when I tapered off prednisone, I even tried breaking 1 mg tablets in half (they are scored and break easily). That way I lowered by 1/2 mg for a while instead of 1 mg until my body adjusted. Slower and worked for me.
@barbararene, I admire your courage.
Sending you a gentle hug,
Rosemary

Slow and steady can win the race.

Thanks Rosemary. After being back to 2 mg I am a little better. This last weekend was the worse weekend I have had for pain. A little depressed, but trying to make today a new day and think and do differently. I will try to 1/2mg maybe in another month. This decrease and the pain that came w it scared me.
It's good to be able to share w those that have walked in my shoes!
Barbararene

@parus

So true!

Teresa

Wanted to share something I thought was interesting. So I went back to 2 mg of prednisone this week. My pain has been manageable. I developed a cold on Monday, Stuffy head and chest, well Monday I had absolutely no pain or stiffness. I wonder if the body is trying to fight the cold, so it has quit attacking the muscles w the PMR. I'm sure just temporary, but thought was interesting. Today is Wed and the same thing, still have a cold, but no pain or stiffness.
I say that w the exception of, at night it seems like my shoulder muscles around the shoulder blades experience cramps, like the muscles are drawing tight, now that is uncomfortable.
Anyway, just wanted to share what's new.
Barbararene'