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Hello Everyone and thanks for all your openness and sharing of information. There is something special connecting to people who know and understand first hand PMR and the associated issues with its treatment.
My GP referred me to an orthopedist when I complained of shoulder pain in one arm. I couldn't raise it above my head and it had persisted for almost two months. I had some less severe pain in my other shoulder and behind both knees. The orthopedist took X-rays and did an MRI and saw no tear in the rotator cuff as I believe he suspected. Physical Therapy was ordered and I complied, feeling tortured by the mild excercises I was asked to do.
I know I am aging, 66 male, but had been quite flexible and limber until the onset of the shoulder pain.
Because I am a hobbies the potter, my shoulder soreness was attributed to working on my potter's wheel and sitting on my stool must have been the cause of the pain behind my knees. When I told them I have been potting for over 20 years, so "why now?" They said repetitive use. I was given high doses of Ibuprofen and when that didn't help a steroidal injection in my shoulder. That did help and even the other pains cleared up, for a week, then it all came back.
On a subsequent visit to my GP for my annual physical, he listened to my complaints and wanted to rule out connective tissue disorders and did blood work. Results showed ANA negative and Rhuemetoid factor normal. My ESR was above normal and he mentioned PMR as a possible diagnosis and offered me a RX for Prednisone.
I never heard of PMR and had a follow up appointment with the orthopedist in a few days so I said I would wait to see what he said.
That evening I read all I could find about PMR and when I woke up the pain was really severe and my hands were hurting something awful.
I decided I needed relief and called my GP for the RX.
He prescribed 14 days worth of Prednisone, 10 mg per tablet. Figuring Imwill be seeing my specialist and he can treat me.
Now
fmy question. 10 mg seems low for an initial dose. If it is not enough, should I expect relief, but not for a full day, or is it too low to even reduce symptoms?
0 likes, 14 replies
gilman
Posted
Yesterday, I decided to increase my first dose to 15 mg and it made me 90-95% better. The next day I took 12.5, but by evening the shoulders were hurting and by morning my hands, shoulders, legs were sore. I took 12.5 again (today is my third dose) and things did get better by noon. Not sure how the night will go.
I am am on my own until I see my orthopedist this week and wonder if I should just up things to 15 mg until my visit. I don't want to use a higher dose which might make tapering take longer. I suspect I will get referred to a rheumatologist but want to be pain free if I can be until I see him or her.
Thanks and sorry if this was too much information clouding my question.
i still want to understand what to expect if a dose is too low. Will I have lesser symptoms or just not relief for the full 24 hours.
Anhaga gilman
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FlipDover_Aust gilman
Posted
Given 15mg has worked for you I'd be sticking to that dose until you see a specialist.
Silver49 gilman
Edited
gilman
Posted
The question I have is will a correct dose keep me pain free unti my next daily dose is due?
Silver49 gilman
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reggie92967 gilman
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Achenpain1 gilman
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Anhaga Achenpain1
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artfingers gilman
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artfingers gilman
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Oregonjohn-UK artfingers
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ruth62999 gilman
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Bergey gilman
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