30mg Prednisolone - a high dose?

Hi Yvonne,

I've just read your first post on this site and we seem quite similar in some respects - same age for a start and our PMR started almost the same time. However our dosage etc. is a bit different. I had all the symptoms of PMR but my bloods were almost normal so my Doctor referred me to Rheumatology. As the waiting time was over 6 weeks I decided to invest in a private consultation. Best money I've ever spent! My Consultant started me on 15mgs Prednisolone immediately regardless of my blood results. For the first few weeks I could happily have doubled the dose but she was absolutely insistent on 15mgs and after about a month I had to agree with her as the worst of the symptoms had almost gone. One of my best friend's is a GP and he said he always starts people on a higher dose but now agrees that her advice was good as I've been able to reduce to 12.5mgs without much trouble and going down to 11mgs on 1st Feb and 10mgs on 1st March all being well. She insists I reduce very slowly and everyone on this site seems to agree with that advice. I don't think any of us like taking pills, but for me anyway, the relief from the pain and stiffness and the fact that I can now function day to day outweigh the side effects of the steroids. I agree with you Yvonne, the comment 'you look really well' when you feel awful is difficult. I don't like my round chubby face either but I seem to be the only one who notices it! I think maybe you did try to reduce the dosage a bit quick and I wonder if this could account for the headaches, weepy feelings, sweats etc. I'm sure there will be someone on the site who has reduced successfully from 30mgs and will be able to tell you how they did it. A lot of people have commented that the cold weather has forced them to up their steroids, so perhaps this has contributed to the return of some of your aches and pains. I do hope you get a good Rheumatologist, mine's a treasure - its a long time to wait but I'm sure it will be worth it. It will get better but I do understand how you feel. Keep well and keep us posted with your progress.

Lizzie Ellen

Hello Yvonne and welcome to us \"oldies\" on this site :lol: although I'm sorry to hear of the relapse you are going through. The GPs all have their different treatment figures for PMR, although 30mgs does appear to be a high starting dose. On these higher starting doses, they do like to bring you down quite quickly. I started on 40mgs and the rheumatologist said that was an \"industrial strength dose\" and reduced me very quickly down to 15.

One very important symptom you have mentioned is \"headaches\". Are you having any eye symptoms such as blurred vision? There is a linked condition called Giant Cell (or Temporal) Arteritis, which has a risk to eyesight and which requires high dose therapy and this is why I was started on a very high dose. Some GCA sufferers start on 60mgs. GCA has to be treated urgently, as you can imagine, so I would check this out with your GP immediately as your rheumatology appointment is not until the end of February. Hopefully, this will not apply to you, and the cold weather is not helping.

Keep in touch, even it it's only to \"get it off your chest\" - we've all been there and do so understand all the feelings you describe, especially the one where everyone keeps telling you how well you look! :roll:

Thanks Mrs O. Now I've found this site I won't have to keep boring my neighbours and family with my moans and groans and sounding like a hypochondriac!

Yes I have seen an opthalmologist who said everything is ok. The dr seems to think because my blood pressure was getting high - :oops: result of steroids! - this was the reason for the headaches. Since taking the bp pills, touch wood, the headaches are not so frequent.

Does anyone know of a support group in the Kent area? :run:

Hi Yvonne sorry to hear of another sufferer and I have certainly have been doing my share of moaning having spent 14 months getting down to 4mg from 20 mg in December and now after that dratted weather being up to 15mg again !! I started on 20 mg with both bouts of PMR I have had but with the second bout my blood results were worse than the first bout ( even though I had less pain the second time ) but my Doctor said not to worry on that occasion if I had to go up to 30 as the most important thing was to reduce the inflamation and I assume that is because of the danger of GCA if it isnt controlled The idea is to get you down quickly to start then taper off slowly Are you having monthly blood checks ? My doesage isnt reduced without a check first It does sound that as if you are having these problems you need that Rheumatologist I did see one the first time I had it but my Doctor is so good I am sticking with her at present Ive said on this site before that I keep records of blood tests doesage and dates of any changes in symptoms as I think it helps to make the most of your Doctors or Rheumatologists appointment My ESR and CRP have to be less than 5 for me to feel good but others seem to have much higher rates It does make it difficult to say no I feel awful when people keep telling you that you look well but the moon face does go and the lower you get on steroids the less problems you have I am going to look after myself as much as possible this year and beat this dratted illness !! Best wishes to you and hope you feel better soon Mrs G

Yvonne11dickens

No, there is no support group in Kent as yet .

But Pammy, JustJayne, Kate, Morwe and mrs K (ex-pmrfighters) who met on this site in 2007 are now part of a brand new charity \"PMR-GCA UK\".

We are down in London on the 11 March and are hoping to meet people who we have been in contact with us via this site and by email over the past years from London and the Home Counties.

Look under support groups on this site and contact us.

or visit www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk.

Alternatively email me on this site. Its easy click on My Space at top of the page. For where and when.

But most of all, keep on visiting this site and asking the questions. Some of us old hands might be able to help.

:hug:

I was on 60 mg prednisolone for a long while.You should not attempt to cut down or stop taking prednisolone without medical supervision as this is very dangerous . If you were put on 30mg this is the lowest dose that your doctor believes is helpful for you, although at the top end of a "normal dose" this is not huge at all and you should not worry. The side effects are not pleasant and if they upset you perhaps you need to chat to a practice nurse (they have longer to listen) they can then pass on your concerns. There are several ways to cut the dose, if appropriate. Prednisolone is not given lightly and you probably need it, perhaps you could ask for a second opinion ? Good luck to you.

Hi Kelvin

You have replied to a post from 3 years ago - just thought I'd better mention it in case you're wondering why you don't receive a response. Hope you're doing well with PMR or GCA?

MrsO