Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,378
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Aug 10, 2022 3:13:20 GMT
I was prescribed a Medrol dose pack today (4 mg.) for what appears to be a medication reaction (an angry skin rash over large areas with spotting in pretty much all of the others). I started taking this today, and will follow the instructions to take for six days.
I was hesitant to take it, so I asked my sister about it earlier today (she's a pharmacist), and she mentioned that I might find myself with a lot of energy. She told me to not hesitate to take it and that I would be fine.
The more I read the labeling, the more this scares me. I read about the fact that it reduces your ability to fight infections. Should I be worried about this for the six day period? I am back to work tomorrow (part-time this week) and originally had not planned to mask, but maybe I should when I'm around others. Any experiences with this med? (I would call my sister, but her MIL unfortunately passed away this afternoon, so she's otherwise occupied tonight). I should probably add that I have some medical anxiety and am usually reluctant to take medications for this reason!
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 10, 2022 3:31:23 GMT
Sounds like a steroid, like Prednisone,...
They are doing them in packs because people had trouble keeping track of take 4 a day for four days, take 3 a day for 4 days.. etc...
It is what I got the last time... Not that particular one, but a steroid none the less.
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Post by pjaye on Aug 10, 2022 3:41:58 GMT
No you shouldn't be concerned, 4mg is a minor dose and you will not experience any of those side effects over just a few days.
While steroids can make people "more energetic" that usually doesn't happen until much higher doses. Immunosuppression happens when these drugs are taken long term (years)
Steroid doses can range from 4mg to 50mg and I've also given 1000mg IV. I give people 8mg IV at work on a regular basis and I've never seen a negative response. Your dose is at the very low end.
I took 50mg daily for 2 weeks when I had some back problems, and I did have a little trouble sleeping - but I was also at home lying in bed for most of that time, so not sleeping when you don't do anything isn't surprising.
Some people can be more sensitive than others, and a lot of people like to exaggerate symptoms (so don't believe everything you hear/read as being accurate!) but in general, I doubt you'll notice anything at that dose - apart from the desired effect of calming that rash down.
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Post by KiwiJo on Aug 10, 2022 3:49:19 GMT
The way I see it, three different health care professionals have suggested you take this medication - the doctor who prescribed it, the pharmacist who filled the prescription, and your sister who is also a pharmacist.
Who do you think is the most qualified to know if it is indeed a good idea - 3 different healthcare professionals who have all studied such things and have access to the latest research findings, or 1 person with some medical anxieties and has access to Google?
I think that in the circumstances you can be reasonably sure that you should take the medication - but I also do want to commend you for checking things carefully and not just taking something willy nilly.
And it does sound as though it would be a good idea if you wear a mask tomorrow. Could you give the pharmacist who filled the prescription a call, to satisfy yourself? Or send a text message to sister, for her to respond to when she can.
If anyone questions you about wearing a mask, you can just say it’s recommended because of some meds you’re on. You don’t have to explain anything more, or even that much, if you don’t want to.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,378
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Aug 10, 2022 3:54:53 GMT
Thanks everyone! I greatly appreciate the input, experience, and reality checks. I will tote along a mask tomorrow for when I’m around others. I’ve been continuing to mask all summer (dh and I wore them all around NYC last week), but I was considering easing up. I will think about it again next week.
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Post by pjaye on Aug 10, 2022 3:58:23 GMT
The way I see it, three different health care professionals have suggested you take this medication - the doctor who prescribed it, the pharmacist who filled the prescription, and your sister who is also a pharmacist. and me (registered nurse) makes 4! |
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Post by KiwiJo on Aug 10, 2022 10:12:41 GMT
The way I see it, three different health care professionals have suggested you take this medication - the doctor who prescribed it, the pharmacist who filled the prescription, and your sister who is also a pharmacist. and me (registered nurse) makes 4! Yeah, after I did my earlier post, I saw that you had posted too. Definitely 4 who know about such things, in favour of the meds.  |
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Post by bearmom on Aug 10, 2022 11:51:48 GMT
Another nurse and someone who has taken them multiple times for allergic reactions, the worst things for me are not being able to sleep (I take Benadryl to help with that) and being hungry all the time.
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Post by stormycat on Aug 10, 2022 11:58:04 GMT
I will say I think they taste horrible. I always eat a peppermint patty right afterwards.
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Post by paulao on Aug 10, 2022 12:51:41 GMT
Nasty taste going down. I’ve said if I could be addicted to any pill, it would be prednisone. I’ve had it multiple times for nasty sinus infections and it makes me feel good, most likely because it takes away all the inflammation.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 10, 2022 17:08:48 GMT
Nasty taste going down. I’ve said if I could be addicted to any pill, it would be prednisone. I’ve had it multiple times for nasty sinus infections and it makes me feel good, most likely because it takes away all the inflammation. Oh yes, the taste is really bad! stormycatYes, Prednisone makes me feel good for, probably, the same reasons. |
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,390 
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Post by peaname on Aug 11, 2022 0:19:06 GMT
If my sister was a pharmacist I’d be asking her not the peas.
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