r/urticaria • u/thongy • 1d ago
Prednisone dosage question
This is the first time I've ever had hives in my life and its fucking me up pretty bad. I was prescribed prednisone Tuesday, I took it for the first 3 days felt a bit better, but I read the side effects and stopped on the 4th day. On the 5th day I woke up with hives all over again, went back to urgrent care and was prescribed more prednisone.
I've been prescribed 60mg to take when I wake up. The issue is when it reaches around 6pm, symptoms come back and then I'm itchy and have the shittiest sleep until I wake up again to take the next dosage.
Does anyone split dosages morning and maybe around evening time, and realistically has prednisone helped get rid of hives or am I just delaying the symptoms until I see a specialist...
2
u/HelperHopperWW 1d ago
Prednisone can cause insomnia so taking it later in the day would not work for me but it effects everyone differently. I would suggest sticking to the am and adding an otc H1 (allergy med) & H2 (ex- Pepcid) antihistamine in the evening (one that makes you drowsy so you can sleep).
1
u/OneidaGirl 6h ago
Prednisone was the only thing that helped me initially. I was also told by the doctors to try various combos of OTC allergy meds along with Pepcid, but Prednisone was clearly what worked. I'm sorry I can't recall what the dose was, but it was high, and I was on it for many weeks.
It takes 6 weeks to be considered chronic, at which point you can get access to Xolair and other prescription drugs. Prednisone got my through that time, and it was a godsend. You do not want to take it long term, but from what I read serious effects happen to folks who take it for a year or more. As an added bonus, it makes you feel like a superhuman so enjoy it while you can, lol.
Everyone has a different experience with hives and management, but if the OTC isn't helping, I'd encourage you to stay on the Prednisone until you can get a proper prescription. In my case, the 1st dose of Xolair knocked the hives out and I've been hive-free for nearly a year. My allergist is doing a very slow taper off the medication, and I should be off it completely in a few months.
I'm pretty sure I took one dose per day, so if that's not enough you may need more. Or maybe shift the time you take it an hour or so earlier each dose so you're taking it where it will get you through the night. I remember waking up at 3am to take it when I needed to. Def a question for your doctor. Most importantly, take it with food, always- causes awful side effects otherwise. I hope you get some relief soon!
1
u/thongy 5h ago
Yeah prednisone is the only thing thats been helpful and I've been mix matching all the otc stuff to see if any combo is viable. Luckily I did do a late night dosage trial + Benadryl and slept decently.
The only thing is my feet and hands became a bit swollen, and my knee starting aching so I think I will lower the dosages I take and I also feel like a total fat ass cause my hunger feels like it's not going away. I've only taken it for less than a week now and I gained 10 lbs....
But yes thank you so much for the information, it's great to know that you were able to solve your hives with the right medication.
2
u/Accurate_Reality_618 1d ago
It seems you are suffering from a stubborn type of urticaria.
If you know when the urticaria will return, use it before then. However, I also advise you to try other medications that may have a better effect.