After 8 years of PMR I have relapsed AGAIN

Posted , 14 users are following.

I Flared up again in 09/2017. I have never been down to zero on Prednisone dose, but I was comfortable at 5 mg for years. My doctor insisted that I tapered to zero every time I increased my dosage for relapse. I have been up and down since last September. I am currently at 7 mg, but I haven't been comfortable since I was last at 10mg. I am almost as bad off as I was in 2010 with PMR. My doctor's now refuse to give anything above 7 mg, because they my blood work does not support PMR diagnosis. I would really appreciate advice on what to. Thanks

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  • Posted

    It does seem you could manage your PMR fine provided you can get enough pred from a doctor. You would actually be better with a doctor who did not worry too much and prescribed pred than some of the other options you seem to have come across. Is it possible to find another doctor?
    • Posted

      Yes, it is possible to find another doctor. I have been using civialian doctors since 2010, because in the past they gave immediate help for help with PMR. I am going back to the VA for treatment. It's a slow process at the VA, but if you can get an appointment the results have always been good for me. The problem is the long wait.

    • Posted

      As long as you have enough pred to keep you going.
    • Posted

      I am definitely not good at writing, or communicating . I know people can tell if they read much of what I write. I cannot respond to all responses, because it takes me to much time to type. The reason I signed back in to "Patient" is that I saw a reply from Christine. I don't remember her numbers after her name. She seemed to know a lot about Prednisone dosage and tapering. I hope I will be able to get advice from her. Thanks to everyone for your replies.

  • Posted

    Hi Gene, sorry to hear of your plight. I agree with most of the rest of the forum, another Rheumy would be in order. I didn't have that option, so worked hard to educate my Rheumy with the information and knowledge in learned on the forum. It not easy most feel like Gods. I over did it myself again, piriformis in my hip, cycling! Good luck, think positive and try to smile, it helps. ??

    • Posted

      The doctors I see don't want me to say anything. My symptoms and thoughts only get smirks. They refuse to treat unless blood work supports PMR.

    • Posted

      Gene, I understand that, my Rheumy threatened to stop seeing me. I gave article after article that were update on PMR, one of the article was a article that a person she knew of had contributed to. Finally she just give me prescriptions and extended my appointment. She is the only Rheumy

      is this area. I stayed positive and worked to stay PMR pain free against her advice. Good luck Gene, listen to your body and do what is right for you. Smiling.☺️

    • Posted

      I would like for someone to help me with the taper a lot of you suggested. DSNS, how do you keep up with what you are doing on such a long drawed out plan, without getting confused.
    • Posted

      Use a diary or a calendar and highlighter pens, one colour for old dose, one colour for new dose.

      On day 1 you will take a new level dose, mark it in the new dose colour - then count the number of days old dose and mark them with the old dose colour. Rinse and repeat. Cross off the day as you take the tablet

    • Posted

      Thanks, that will work a lot better than what I have been doing.
    • Posted

      Gene, I do much the same, I have a small calendar, I write out the DSNS schedule, the amount for each day all in pencil. Easy to cross off or erase. Since I take pills for several conditions I fill my weekly pill organizer once a week. If I have a flare, like I am now, it easy to make the adjustments. Good luck, stay positive with a smile. ☺️
    • Posted

      Yes - should really have added: something you can rub out/erase is probably good and don't do weeks in advance - it is too complicated when you meet an obstacle which you almost inevitably do at some point!

      When I was on warfarin my GP used to fill in the first week or two's pattern whe wanted me to use - in pen. I would return the next time with the rest filled in in pencil. She couldn't understand why - until the first itme it went pear-shaped. Rubbers rule! (or for our US friends: Erasers rule! Just doesn't have the same sound though...)

      PS - many years ago my British daughter, living in Germany and attending the local US base church and attending Sunday Scool requested a rubber from the teacher. Who promptly dragged her to the Supervisor. Luckily that lady had also lived in the UK and explained gently redface lol

    • Posted

      Rubber means something else entirely on this side of the Pond.  biggrin
    • Posted

      Yes, it does! Funny how we share the same language and meaning can be that different. But I am from the little state of Rhode Island, we have a language alone. We have foods that are only found in RI and different names for items that are found across the country. Funny! ☺️
    • Posted

      I know - why I told the tale!!!! Nat was a whole 5 or 6 years old so I can only imagine what the lady concerned thought of me!

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