I haven't managed to find a pred dosage I am happy with

Have your thyroid checked. When I started my PMR medicine for the first time I wasn't getting the kind of relief I thought I would get. Even though we kept upping my dosage I still have joint pain. Well around the same time it was time for my annual thyroid check. Lo and behold I found I needed to up my dosage on my thyroid medicine. Once I got my dosage adjusted properly all pain disappeared.

I could have written your posting myself, I know exactly how you feel, and wish I had the answers....

​I fight every inch of the way, otherwise I would be housebound (more than I now am!) but fear I pay the price....

​Have to say my rheumie has been no help to me, very dogmatic in her ways, and won`t listen to me.....thank goodness my doctor does....I wish you luck....and keep us posted!

Maureen, there could be underlying causes beside PMR, like inflammatory arthritis, or RA in my case, when the body hurts   A Rheumatologist should be able to figure it out.  I started on 20 mg of prednisone 2 years ago, and I am down to 6 with Eileen's slow method, but I am often in need to take a couple of Tylenol to be more comfortable and make it through the day.

Have you ever had your Vitamin D levels checked.  If not, ask for it to be done as fast as possible.

Low Vitamin D causes aches and pains exactly like PMR.

Mine was low and I was given 40,000 units per day and it was unbelievable the difference.   Second blood test, one month later and then 20,000 units per day for 10 days.  Level up.  I have taken 1,000 units per day for over two years.  That is the daily maintenance dose once your levels are correct. 

In the PMR GCA North East website, in two of their Newsletters there are articles on low Vitamin D.

 

Meant to add, the Vitamin D test is an exclusion test in the Diagnosis of PMR, quite often it is missed and not done and it should be because of the Aches and Pains associated with low Vitamin D.

Do you have blood tests regularly?  When I first was diagnosed with PMR, I was already on medication for an underactive Thyroid.  Annually, I get a complete blood work-up.  My thyroid med had to be upped to .50 mcg and my Vitamin D was low so I take 1,000 mg.  An underactive thyroid will make you feel extremely tired.  I am presently down to 1 1/2mg of Medrol.  (started at 16 mg medrol in July 2014).  Each time I taper, it takes awhile before I feel good again.  I am walking 20 minutes a day, 4 times a week and have lessened my red meat intake.  I also added Tumeric to my diet a week ago and though it's kind of early to know if it is really doing good, I have, however, seen a change in that my fingers, wrists and ankles seem better.  Currently, I am experiencing aching in my lower back.  I'm hoping it will eventually go away once my body gets used to the recent taper.  This is a very slooow process.  There were many times over the past 2+ years that I felt discouraged.  My faith and determination helped me through.  Hang in there.  You will find lots of support on this forum.

Hi, sorry to hear you still get pain; when mine starting playing around my Dr said we need to start ticking other boxs, so we went through a list. I was due for my mamagram and had it done and they found cancer in my milk duct, very lucky it was caught early and contained. I had the operation yesterday : Just a sugestion that if you still have pain it could be something else causeing it.... Good Luck Dea