Re: pulse dose of pred and self medicating

[Guest guest]

Leena,

I also have used a pulse option instead of a taper on occasion. I've

been with the same doctor about seven years now and we operate on an

I-tell-him-what-I-need basis b/c I am a well-informed, experienced

patient and I know how my body reacts in different situations.

Unfortunately, when I need him, I'm so sick that I'm at the point I

need maximum medical therapy and there's nothing much he can do for

me except refill my scrips. This frustrates both of us. Since

Xolair, I only have about two of those episodes a year, however, as

opposed to 8 or 9.

I will say that as I have gotten over, I can only do the pulse option

for 2 days without tapering. If I have to take pred for a third day,

then I have to taper down by 5 or 10 mgs a day, depending on how much

I pulsed with (usually 20 or 30 mg). Also, as I have gotten older,

the temporary side effects have gotten stronger.

Take care all,

Addy

Group co-owner

Be sure to discuss any changes in your treatment plan with your

doctor.

>

> > The doctor said this short pulse dose would not

> > hurt me in the long run and I did not have to taper down either.

So I

> > figured I would do the same thing.

> >

> > Has anyone else made the decision like this to self medicate to

relieve

> > your asthma symptoms? Is this OK to do? Should I inform my

allergist

> > about this the next time I see her or let it go since I feel a

little

> > better now?

> >

> >

>

>

>