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Increasing Prednisone to combat flare symptoms

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Posted 5/8/2017 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I haven't posted in a while as I'd been doing pretty well. I've been taking Prednisone for about a year now while awaiting a surgery date. Started at 40mg and had worked my way down to 10mg which had been working well for ~6 months but unfortunately in the last 2 weeks the usual tell-tale symptoms are coming back.

I upped the Pred from 10mg back to 20mg a few days ago but haven't seen any immediate results. Does anyone know if this will take time to start helping or should I have seen immediate improvement? Perhaps I should go higher?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks, Dave
Posted 5/8/2017 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
how far out is surgery? most surgeons recommend being off pred.

be careful if no response to pred, could be a c-diff infection

good luck
Posted 5/8/2017 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Surgery date still unknown at this stage, but they have told me June. Being down at 10mg was considered acceptable by my surgeon.

Thanks for the advice re: C-Diff. Will keep an eye on things. I am wondering if I should just go right back up to 40mg and do a normal taper in 5mg increments back down to say 20 and see if that helps. But my immediate question is whether increasing the Pred dose should have yielded immediate results or does it take time to build up before becoming effective at the higher dose?
Posted 5/8/2017 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi in my experience pred has had almost immediate effects. Works after a day or two.
Posted 5/8/2017 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dan
Posted 5/8/2017 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
If the 20 mg isn't working, unfortunately you may have to go higher. That was my husband's experience, at least. You need to find the right level to jumpstart things again. Maybe try 30 for a few days before going up to 40.
Posted 5/8/2017 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks suzy, I'm going to do just that. 30 from today
Posted 5/9/2017 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Dave!!! Great to hear from you, but I wish it was for a better reason. I always had a lot of trouble going up on the dose of pred. it's almost as if it requires starting over at a certain point, sometimes even at a higher dose. pred is evil. I wish you have a miracle turn around, but surgery is nearly that turn around, so whatever comes, know you will be ok. *hugs* You have my email if you want to chat. tongue
Posted 5/9/2017 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
smile

I wish I wasn't here! I should have had this darn thing out by now, but they keep pushing me back.

Day two at 30mg. Doing a bit better I think. Fingers crossed it does the job or it's 40 tomorrow!
Posted 5/10/2017 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I know, I am shocked you're still waiting. I thought you were pretty much set to go a while ago... I hope you get things under control so you're at least comfortable until surgery.
Posted 5/10/2017 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have found it can take up to a week or more to respond to prednisone. Have you consulted your doc before increasing to 30mg?
Posted 5/10/2017 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, he recommended going to 40mg. I've since moved to 40 and seeing some improvement, hoping it continues.
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