Hello, currently on 3mg pref after 3 years. My back went on Monday and I am struggling with the pain and spasms. I have been using aspirin but yesterday I went onto Brufen which was slightly more relief. I did not take my dose of steroids yesterday as I believe you should not take both together? What painkillers do others take when the need arises?
Thanms
As I can't take NSAID I take paracetamol and if needed tramadol on prescription.I know people say it can be addictive but never had a problem. Hope your back eases soon
Poor you. I have to take painkillers for an ongoing problem with my back but I avoid aspirin because of the pred. I really don;t think you should stop the pred at the moment though, you don't want the added pain of pred withdrawal. Can you take paracetamol? (I also take Tramadol when necessary - but that's serious stuff!!) Hopefully it will all settle down in a couple of days.
All the best
Kate
Kate
I don't know what to suggest but I can empathise as that happened to me a few weeks ago and I was on 2.5mgs. I didn't take any painkillers but struggled and the pain was worse when I lay done so sleep was difficult. I increased my Pred by .5mg but I don't think it made much difference. I'm stubborn and prefer to put up with the pain rather than take anything. It eased after about 3 weeks. I think others will advise but I hope you have some relief very soon.
I have used the same analgesics as I would use if I were not on Prednisone (5mg). Frankly, 3 mg is such a small dose that I would not worry about it. When no one is looking, you might try 5 mg or even 10 mg just once, as a diagnostic tool. If it makes a bnig difference, you know that inflamation is the culprit, which suggests Ibuprofen or similar, rather than codeine or similar.
You shouldn't really take both together long term, it isn't recommended because both can irritate the stomach and even cause bleeding if you are unlucky - but you MUSTN'T miss your pred doses, even at 3mg. Your adrenal galnds are unlikely to be fully up to speed sinc eyoua re still taking pred, albeit a low dose.
If you need to use NSAIDs then also take omeprazole or ranitidine, take the tablets at separate times and if possible with a meal. Icing and heat alternating may help - or one or other alone. everyone is different so it's difficult to say what will suit you.
Some people use arnica for muscle problems but deep heat type gels are also OK in small amounts with pred - though not if you have asthma apparently,
i agree with eileen never stop pred like that all you are doing is mixing your body up, and causing more pain.
i am ok through the day but take one paracetomol at night to help shoulkder pain, which works for me. i do however try to miss a couple of nights, i dont have any pain whatsoever through the day. just shoulder pain when in bed. i got down to 1.5 pred but had to go up to 4, now back down to 3 mg, its so anoying when you think you have beaten this illness only to find a few weeks later you are mistaken, grrrrrrrr
I take omeprazole on a daily basis and have done for years. I have been at 3mg and below for 9 months now. I am doing the ice and heat and the deep heat, all with little effect. I am allergic to paracetamol so that is out.
Then you are safe as you can be taking an NSAID and pred together, though, as I said, not in the same hour or two is probably a good idea.
But really you shouldn't just drop the pred like that. Even 3mg of pred has an effect on the adrenal function. However long you have been on it.
The pain overtook my sense yesterday! Back to pred today and have waited 3 hours before taking the painkillers.
Hope you are feeling better now then!
Not yet unfortunately!
I totally agree that you shld never stop the pred, especially at such a low dose. That’s essential. In addition, have you considered physio sessions? Some ultrasound followed by gentle, gentle massage — make sure you stress to the PT that you’re on prednisone — might give you some relief as you heal. I am recovering from pelvic stress fractures and my PT session 2 days ago practically had me skipping down the street. She did ultrasound, laser, massage, and heat.
Wishing you all the best with your healing process and hope you let us know how you’re getting along...
I Floramac .Solpadeine is my saviour in whatever pain .Bad for your liver they say but what the heck .They relieve the pain .
Thanks but solpadeine has paracetamol and I am allergic.
Thank you for the great suggestions. At the moment I could not bear anyone or anything touching the area, the slightest movement sends it into spasm and the pain takes my breath away. I will certainly look into it asap.
Can you please tell me what omeprazole and ranitidine are? I'm in the US. We have ibuprofin, asprin, Tylonel and Aleve, Would any of these be the same as omeprazole and ranitidine?
Omeprazole is a PPI, a Proton-pump inhibitor, it could be called Prilosec in the US, it treats conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. Ranitidine also called Zantac is also an antacid but is an older drug and it is not actually a PPI which is a newer product. Ibuprofen, aspirin, Tylenol and Alene are all pain killers.
I was on pred 2/ 1/2 years, no longer need it, (no longer do I have PMR!) but I took alleve (naproxen) for pain when I had it elsewhere, still do occasionally. It is longer lasting and helped me for long periods. Be sure you take it with food in your stomach.
Thank you for explaining.