Im in Florida and my Dr's are all telling me that I can only taper by 2&1/2 mil. They prescribe 5 mil pills and tell me to cut them in half, is this what everyone else her eis doing because I cannot get a script for any less, or are others cutting them into 1/4's but Im not sure as to how one can obtain such low dose pills.
Thanks again,
Sharon
I don't know if there is a difference between states, but I can tell you in Canada we can get 1 mg tablets and I'm sure many Americans have been able to get 1 mg. Have you asked at the pharmacy?
Can you get a different doctor who really understands PMR? I do cut 1 mgm pills into 1/4 after cutting them into 1/2 with a pill cutter. I use a straight edge razor to do it.
I live in NJ.
My rheumatologist gives me leeway to follow the protocol used here.
Karen
Maybe some of our US members can let us know how they get their 1 mg?
I too am eaget to see the responses to this. My doctor actually wanted me to go from 10 to 5, but I am going down to 7.5 first as I am afraid to jump that much. I only have a prescription for 5 mg. Yesterday I split a week's dose into halves. I had to toss a few of them as they did not split properly and kind of fell apart. I think the ones I saved are pretty close to 2.5. Does anyone know if they make a 2.5??? I really want to try to convince my doctor to give me some. Fortunately he gave me enough 5s to last quite a while, so my wasted ones won't be a big problem.
Hi and thank you Karenjaninaz,
I just spoke with my Dr and he said he has never prescribed 1 mil pred. I have another appt with a Rheumatologist on the 15th of Sept, they all say they are experienced with PMR/GCA but they all have different opinions so Im hoping I get better results with this new one.
Meanwhile I dont know what to do as far as the 10 mil im taking now, should I take half in am & half in the evening or stay on the 10 all at once and add back 2&1/2 of the cut dose.
Sharon
I also live in Florida and I have 5mg pills and 1 mg pills. They can all be cut in halves and quarters! I have the non coated kind. If they couldn't be cut I don't know what I would have done when I was on 7.5, 4.5, etc! I only went down 1/2 mg every two-three weeks. Have had PMR for 18 months and am down to 1mg!
I tied a pilll splitter and a knife. Some of the 5s still crumbled. They are the non-coated type. Should I get a razor blade?
I'm in Pennsylvania and my rheum gives me 1 and 5mg preds. I order from express scripts and they're sent automatically.
Ha, Donna you sound like I feel, my Dr gave me plenty of 5's and I too cut them and had to toss a few because they didnt cut right.
I also agree that tapering down by 5 mil is way to much. You need to do as everyone here states the slow taper, listen to me acting like I know what Im talking about, Im only repeating what I read hear and thus far there's lots of smart people here who know alot.
Good luck!
Sharon
Thanks, I wish I could get some 2s. I would then try 7mg for a month, then go down to 5. It is annoying to have to work at cutting those things. :-(
Im going to ask today, thank you Anhaga.
I am also from Florida. My doctor prescribes 5mg and 1mg and allows me to self dose. I know I am lucky to have a doctor that understands better than most! I cut in half as required to get to the dose I need. I have been diagnosed with PMR since Dec 2014 - after 6 months of the usual painful process. I take half in am and half in pm. Currently at 10mg after flare up, which seems to happen every time I get to 7.5. Starting dead slow taper (0.5mg drop) again.
Probably worth emphasizing that coated pred must never be cut.
Yes it is annoying..... Im going to my pharmacy to ask about the 2 or 1 mil pills and hopefully I can get a script for either one.
The uncoated are scored for cuting. My tens split easily with my thumbs, the fives do not do this, so must be actually cut. I would kind of like the coated as I hate having to make sure I have had a meal befofe taking them. I do not always eat at the same time.
Hi Renee,
Thanks so much, Im definitely going to try and get some today. My Dr is nuts saying he wont prescribe them below the 5 mil so Im looking forward to my new Dr hoping he will. Meanwhile Ill try cutting the 5 mil into 1/4s until I use them up. I didnt know they come uncoated & coated, I think mine are uncoated.
Sharon
I am in Central Florida and I have gotten 1 mg
and 2 1/2 mg. I have my scripts filled at Publix and have also gotten them in Walgreens
I am in California, I use Walgreens, so will see if I can get some from my doctor. Thanks!!!
I'm in Central Florida and get both 1mg and 2 1/2 mg pred at local pharmacies and from the out of town pharmacy my insurance is connected to. I'm so happy to be on 6mg now down from 80mg. with GCA since 2009. With the MTX, Actemra and pred. my immune system isn't fighting off much. Had a chest x-ray yesterday for a cough and I'm now on an antibiotic for some infection. Can't have my many warts frozen off now. The doc is worried about infection there too. As long as I don't turn into the tree man!