Gout And Prednisolone

[bigbanana]

I've been put on Prednisolone at a dose of 30mg (6 x 5mg tablets) as a single dose in the morning for gout treatment. I can't take NSAID's and my previous treatment, Colchicine, is regarded as old-fashioned by my GP and has caused severe diarrhoea in recent months.

My problem is that I'm afraid of steroids and this is a high dose. I understand that these drugs have serious potential side-effects such as moon-face and adrenal gland issues etc. At the moment, I'm trying to take the tablets for only two consecutive days duration at a time but how safe is this regime long-term? Right now, I don't appear to have any side effects.

Thank you.

[Sqad]

Your GP has good reasons to give you steroids for Gout and i can see nothing against this regime. I would suggest that you take them continually for 5 days.

You have been given the appropriate treatment for your condition.

[Sqad]

I may have missed your point........after 7 days, continuous,you can "wean" yourself off the steroids over the following week e.g 5 tablets on day eight....4 tablets on day 9....3 tablets on day 10, ....2 tablets on day 11, ....one tablet on day 12.

Unless of courase your GP has suggested differently.

[ladyalex]

If it was me, I'd wait until I had any side effects before messing about with my Dr's treatment plan.
Steroids have been available for years and years now, so I am sure that your GP will be well aware of their actions, for good or ill.

[Kathyan]

I was given these at Christmas for a problem with Ulcerative colitis. I was put on 30mg for two weeks and then reduced by 5mg per week until 5mg and then stop. I didn't have any side effects and didn't gain any weight. I have been off them for about 8 weeks and although I did have headaches and dizziness after I came off them I am fine now. Maybe I was lucky, I don't know, but you won't know unless you try them.

[bigbanana]

Thank you both. I'll take your advice on the 5 day treatment plan Sqad and wean myself off on the succeeding days. Is there any need for an interval between treatment courses like this or are they perfectly safe?

I've also been on 300mg daily of allopurinol for the past six weeks but the stuff isn't keeping the gout at bay yet. I feel I've caused a headache for my GP over this as he told me that normally NSAIDS would be the first line of treatment.

[bigbanana]

Thanks Kathyan.

[Sqad]

\\\Is there any need for an interval between treatment courses like this or are they perfectly safe?\\

As safe as any reputable and established drug treatment.

\\\\I feel I've caused a headache for my GP over this as he told me that normally NSAIDS would be the first line of treatment.\\

I agree with your GP.

\\\I've also been on 300mg daily of allopurinol for the past six weeks but the stuff isn't keeping the gout at bay yet.\\\

Six weeks is too short a time and you will have to be on Allopurinol for life.

[bigbanana]

Thanks Sqad. I'll do as you suggest.