Selincro Has Reduced My Alcohol Consumption But Bad Side Effects
I was probably one of the first people around the UK ( well England ) to be prescribed Selincro by my GP earlier this year.
I have gone through all the usual issues identified when starting to take this drug and got through the difficult period to settle down into a lifestyle of being more in control of my drinking and only taking the tablet 2 -3 times a week on those days I am likely to have a drink. Recently I have taken a tablet just because it was Friday and there maybe a chance that I have a drink , even though I didn't fancy a drink at the time or went to have a drink and didn't enjoy it so left it at one. So it can be said that everything has been a success.
Not quite though ! You see I want to be able to have a couple of days when I do enjoy a drink. Whether it be at home with my wife or out with friends. The problem is that although the side effects of the drug have greatly subsided when I do take a tablet ( Infrequently now ) I still feel strange., cold clammy forehead, slight nausea and some light headedness ( best way I can describe it) plus it seems to increase my tinnitus. There are other things difficult to describe also. I guess that if I then went on to enjoy the rest of the evening I could accept that but I increasingly find that I would be better off not drinking at all. Now that would be great for those people who have been recommended total abstinence but it was never my intention and my GP was supportive of that. The intention was just to cut down the amount of alcohol intake and to have alcohol free days.
So I am at a crossroads now. To continue as I am or stop the Selincro. From what I have read and been told, once you start it should be for life. ( Mind I was not aware of that when I commenced on the treatment ) I understand that if I was to stop my brain would readjust and a desire for alcohol reward would increase. All I want is to be well enough to enjoy a drink a couple of nights a week.
I know it is still early days in the UK but has there been any research into those considered as having a ' mild dependence on alcohol ' who commenced Selincro with success and then went onto to try and manage their drinking without the drug.
In my case I feel I have broken the habit of having drink everyday , even though my wife continues to have a drink and there is alcohol in the house. I don't want to go back to drinking 60 - 80 units per week but at the same time I am unhappy with my present situation.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica - Prednisolone And Alcohol
Can anyone tell me if its ok to drink alcohol while taking PREDNISOLONE.
I like a beer at the weekend or to share a bottle of wine, but, can't find any thing in the Prednisolone paperwork that suggests not drinking.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica :: Alcohol And Prednisone
Is it ok to have an occasional glass of wine while taking this stuff? I had one the other night and got a terrible headache. I am on a couple other meds too.
View 4 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica And GCA :: Prednisone Effects Diminishing
My symptoms started in mid-December. I went on 15 mg prednisone on Dec 31 but had only very slight improvement, then to 20 mg on Jan 5 (a week ago). After great improvement for 4 or 5 days (nearly pain free), the sharp pain came back in the arms yesterday (worse today) and hips are starting to hurt again. Alas! Any comment?
Also, when the pain is localized (like 2 x 3 inch area of arm), do muscle rubs or icing help reduce the inflammation?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica :: Unpleasant Side Effects Of Steroids?
Can anybody tell me what the unpleasant side effects I can expect from use of pred steroid medication?
Am down to 11 mg a day and am so concerned have been taking for two months and can't see how I could be free of them altogether.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica :: Steroids - Side Effects And Predictions / Experiences
I'm now into about 8th month at around 10 mg, despite instructions and warnings from Rheumy. I'll stay as long as it takes but I'd like to know at what dosage and how long it takes for some of the side effects to leave. I'm speaking about things such as memory problems, tremor, purpura, balance loss, etc. I'm sure I won't see any improvement at 10, but it would be nice to look forward to losing some of the worst when I can get my dose smaller.
View 68 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica And GCA :: FRUIT
I love fruit and eat plenty,also i have Manuka honey, my question is as we have to be aware of diabetes should we be aware how much we eat, does our body process natural sugar in a different way to processed sugars.Just a thought, been awake and up since 5.30( and was hungry so thought have some fruit before breakfast then thought am i having too much)
View 19 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica :: Could I Have Shingles?
I've been experiencing some aches and pains over the past few days, it started off with aching in my wrists up to my elbows, now my joints in my legs and ankles are aching, also a bit of a stiff/ sore neck and top of spine is sore. In general my whole body is aching, feels sore to touch, throbbing and from time to time can get sharp pains. I don't have any rash as yet.
I have been in contact with chickenpox lately so didn't know if Id caught anything from that at.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica And Shingles
I was thinking about PMR and although I am very nearly stable on 10 mg Prednisolone it is a knife edge dose. I still have many side effects from 4 years use of the steroid. In some kind of order they are:-
Muscle wastage, fatigue, lassitude, thinning of skin, easy bruising, cuts which take an unusually long time to heal, glaucoma, dry eye, exacerbated and premature cataracts which necessitated operations on both eyes to replace the lenses, virtual permanent stiffness and loss of motion in neck, constant shoulder and back pain, balance problems and now a recent discovery which I believe to be bronchiectasis. The last manifested itself with a slight productive cough I have had for about a year, with a shortness of breath which is steadily getting worse. Initial exam by GP showed no ‘crackle’, X-ray was ‘normal’ blood ‘normal’, whatever that is. Have seen this GP who gave me a course of amoxicillin (5 days) which did nothing. Then just left me to get on with things, no follow up, nothing. Not sure what to do next. I can see any one of the other doctors at this particular practice and am thinking to see one of them soon; well at least I can try for an appointment, currently 2 weeks!
Now the latest manifestation…..Shingles. Or to give it its proper title
Herpes Varicella-Zoster. A particularly painful affliction caused by the chicken pox I must have had as a child. It has affected the left side of my scalp, my left forehead, eye and face; I am not a pretty sight! By the time I knew what it was it was too late for any anti viral medication so will just have to let it take its course. Existing on Paracetamol, Codeine, Neurontin and the occasional Tramadol. All of these analgesics are for a short time only, don’t want to get hooked. Managed to see a doctor reasonably quickly about my eye who sent me to the eye unit at my local hospital, ophthalmologist examined the eye and gave me the all clear, phew!
On top of all this I have the daddy of all flares I put the cause of this down to the trauma of my new affliction. My immune system is compromised due to the daily use of 10mg. Prednisolone which I have increased to 15 mg. for a short time. It appears that any kind of trauma either emotional or physical will set off a flare.
I wondered what causes a flare in other sufferers from PMR/GCA and do they do as I do and increase the dosage of steroid and try to rest? Or is there a magical cure I should know about?
Long ramble I know but strangely feel better for writing it, apologies if you think I’m wasting your time, or a hypochondriac. (I’m not).
Polymyalgia Rheumatica And Chickenpox
To my knowledge I have never had chicken pox. I have been taking Pred for three years and am now down to 3mgs from 15. My granddaughter is with me with chickenpox. Should I be worried please?
View 24 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica And GCA :: 40s Been Diagnosed With PMR?
I was told years ago i haf fibromyalgia but now my blood work shows a high sed rate
View 31 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica And Exercises?
Background: I am 66 years old and have suffered first attack in mid November 2015... I have been fairly active person and have done some triathlon in the past, so not being able to get out of the bed on my own was pretty shocking to me... It took about one month to diagnose PMR and I started medication (prednisone) at 15 mg/day mid December.
If there is an interest, I would like to post about the progress in recovery, with special attention to exercise. I am seeing specialist every 2 weeks and complete blood work is done to monitor inflammation caused by PMR.
I would like to post what I have done thus far and future progress in (hopefully) successful recovery.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica :: Anyone Tried Q10 Supplements
Has anyone tried Q10 supplements, and are they alright to take with pred.
View 33 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica With Low ESR Results?
I have recently had blood tests again and have a low esr. I have symptoms of pmr and discussed these with my gp. I begged her for prednisolone and she reluctantly agreed but only one week. I felt great! I was walking normally, getting out of bed for the whole day where I was bed bound a lot before, just felt so wonderful having so little pain in my hips and shoulders. My blood tests came back normal and she said she cant give me any more and is referring me to rheumatology again. The pain has come back, my hips are crippling me my shoulders are so so painful again and nothing else has worked, just the prednisolone. My orthopaedic specialist may give me one more injection in ten days, vpbut that will be the third and he said 3 is the max so I should have relief for 3 weeks, if previous injections are to go by but after that.
View 42 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica - Breathlessness
For the last week or so, I have been getting short of breath, and very dizzy, feel like I am losing my balance, and my heart is racing. I have never had panic attacks, and this seem to start strangely enough when I have been reading....and then the weird feeling lasts the rest of the day.
Is it possible it`s the 11 mg pred I`m on? (have been for 4 years) Just can`t pin down what`s causing it! My blood pressure is ok....not diabetic...
Polymyalgia Rheumatica And GCA :: Gum Inflammation Is Related?
I am wondering if gum inflammation is related at all to the PMR, GCA. I will see the dentist in a couple of days. Thanks.
View 6 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica :: Cannabinoids And Inflammation
Does anyone know whether cannabinoids have been clinically studied for PMR? There has certainly been a study that shows they may be effective against the inflammation in other diseases. Google: cannabinoids and inflammation.
View 2 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica And GCA :: Achilles Tendon
Just wondered if anyone on here has trouble with their Achilles Tendon? First thing after resting a while and if I've walked far too much they get very very stiff and painful! There doesn't seem much flexibility in either ankles. I didn't have problems with them when I was first diagnosed with PMR, only now 10 months into the condition and in 7 mg of pred!
View 7 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica And GCA :: Migraine And Prednisolone
I have been a regular migraine sufferer for 34 years, averaging about one per week. I've been on prednisolone 15mg for a few weeks now for PMR, and not the slightest hint of a migraine. Could it be down to the steroids? I'm not happy about taking them, but maybe every cloud does have a silver lining!
View 10 Replies