I know this was discussed a short while back but the "Search" function didn't provide results for me. Could everyone kindly "chime in" one more time?
I'm to take a 2,000 mile trip in a week. I'm really fearful and dreading it but it's a "big family deal" and I'd love to be there. Suddenly, my lower back is *killing* me and I've been on bedrest the past 3 days. Because I'd been feeling so much better than I had in months, my DH and I decided to tour EPCOT last Saturday and now I'm paying for it....dearly!!! In fact, he may have to go on the trip alone and leave me in bed with the dog.
Okay...on to my question. I read here that some of you upped your Prednisone dosage before a trip. How did you go about deciding how much to up it (I'm currently on 10 mg.) and how soon before the trip did you do it? Thinking this "might" help me.
I remember there being a lot on increasing the pred before a trip. You might want to call your Dr and ask them what they think. Was is hard to come from 15mg to 10mg, then I would go back to the 15mg so that you feel good enough to go. Maybe start a couple of days before the trip. Don't stay home. I think it would make you feel worse not going, and even depressed.
What do you all think?
nanaquilts...
Thank you, but my doctor is a child (not joking) that is horribly fearful of Prednisone. She didn't want to prescribe enough when I was first diagnosed to help alleviate symptoms and when it was "finished" (10 mg. tapered down to 0 over 9 months) I was still in agony and she didn't want to prescribe any more. She suggested a pain management clinic instead! I refused that and she, very stubbornly, rewrote a script to begin another round of Pred. beginning with 10 mg. So no, I won't even bother to phone her about "upping" dosage for a trip. Deb, so sorry your Dr doesn't understand PMR. Do you have enough to take the 10mg and cut one in half to see if that helps. I started a no sugar diet and have been taking 2,000mg of Vit C for 6 weeks now. I also take a muilti Vit, and Vit B every day. I feel so much better. My pain is not as bad as it was and I have a lot more energy. I noticed within a few days of the no sugar that it made a big difference in how I feel. The Vit C acts as an inflamatory reducer and pain releiver. Hopes this helps. GeriDeb, I have 2 thoughts: 1) Staying in bed when I hurt makes me MUCH
worse! Your body just stiffens up. I realize that when you hurt it is really
hard to move. I set the timer for 10 minutes and move for that long, then
rest for 1/2 hour, longer if I just can't move. If I find i can do 10 minutes I
try to up it to 15. Hot showers help too for short periods of time.
2) when I traveled I didn't up my dose, but found it took me a few days to
recover when I got home. I know others have said they upped the dose
for a day or 2. IMHO... go on the trip - you will feel much worse if you
don't.
How will you travel? By car or plane? That makes a huge difference! If you
go by car, be sure to stop every hour or so to stretch! By plane, walk
whenever the seatbelt sign is off!
Let us know.
pgrWow Deb, that is a LLLLLOOOOONNNNNGGGGG trip! 2000miles! I admire you for it. You need another doctor. I think you should boost up your pred for the trip, starting 48 hours before, so at least you will be a bit more comfortable. If you are on 10, then cut up some tabs and take 12 or 15mg for the time you are away. What is the point in even going on this big family trip if you are going to be in pain and miserable? And when you get home, get another doctor who wll help you with your PMR. I really hope it goes well for you and you enjoy your time away.
Yes, I have enough Pred. to cut some in half, but I was considering upping the dosage to perhaps 12 mg. for the duration of the trip. Don't know if that woud make enough difference or not.
No fast plane ride for us. No sir...12 hours of *driving* the first leg of the trip. Stay at son's house 2 days then back on the road for 9 hours to see my parents (Dad is *very* ill!). Stay 3 days with parents and back into the car for a 10 hour drive home. Delightful! Where's that fainting smiley when you need it?
Anyway, my back is a major concern not only due to stiffness of the PMR...I've had back surgery and it flares up from time to time. This time is "different"...worse actually and I'm attributing it to the PMR. Was sure hoping a little extra Pred. might help with this.
And yes, you're right about the fact you must *keep moving* even when you hurt. I recently read that if you work for 15 minutes, you must rest 15 minutes. Work 30 minutes, rest 30 minutes and so on. I've been trying that. (Was doing *great* till the day at EPCOT). And hot showers...I know them well.
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