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How do I know PMR diagnosis is correct?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Sars77
Sars77

Hello all. I'm new & after 10 years of pain been diagnosed with PMR in May. Tapered down from 30mg pred to 10mg. Initially good response but have recently had diabilitating back & leg pain, so been upped to 15mg pred daily.

Aside from the raised CRP how can I be sure this diagnosis is correct?

Overheating / sweating is also a huge issue, mainly head & neck.

I'm 48 & so relieved to find this forum as not sure family understand quite how I'm worried this is affecting me. Everything is hard work & I can't even get intimate with hubby of 24 years as feel like I'm going to self combust with the slightest bit of body heat. I've invested in fans which are great but how do you live a normal life?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks for listening ?

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  • nick67069
    nick67069 Sars77

    Posted

    Usual starting dose is between 15 and 25mg. Reduction should not be more then 10% of the dose per month (approximately).  If I were you, the first thing you need to do is find the correct pred dose that will give you pain reduction similar to what you experienced when you started pred in May. Then you should stay on that dose for at least 2-4 weeks before attempting to reduce further.  Keep in mind that prednisone only removes inflammation and it does NOT cure PMR. So your reduction in dose cannot be too fast. Dose has to be sufficient to manage inflammation.  This is why most of us use slow DSNS method to reduce dose.  Transition from higher does to lower is done over several weeks by alternating new dose and old dose.  There are several benefits to gradual taper. You body gets used to new dose, steroid withdrawal symptoms ( which are very similar to PMR symptoms) are minimized. If you body is "not ready", then you will feel it and you can stop the transition before it causes any flair.

    Last but not least, with lower dose, you will get your stamina back and sex will be good again biggrin.

     

    • Sars77
      Sars77 nick67069

      Posted

      Thank you for such sound advice! So far the 2 doctors I've seen have conflicted each other in their dosage recommendations so I shall be more assertive. Im feeling benefits from 15mg a day, although in the afternoon the pain does come back, but milder than usual.

      Thanks again!

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