1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

I've been silent for some time, which means I had no new problems.

Posted , 5 users are following.

paul45653
paul45653

But I am no expert so have not been participating that way either. But I got too smart, getting down to one mg pred. Then a few days ago upper back pains with upper body stiffness returned. Upper back was never a problem before this. The problem seems to fade by afternoon but it wants an explanation and you always start imagining the worst. To be more practicle I am wondering if my one mg pred has caught up with me. I have been on one mg for about ten days, having come down at a half mg at a time. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Dave-California
    Dave-California paul45653

    Posted

    Hi Paul,

    Likewise, I am having the same type of flare in the upper back area (shoulder girdle) and also into my upper bicept area sometimes. I have been reducing to 4 mg prednisone over a period of 3 1/2 years and it has only started to affect my upper back area at this low dose.

    My rheumatologist doesn't seem to have any 'bright' ideas, but as provided by our expert 'Eileeen', I have increased twice by 1/2 mg and noticed slight improvement. I'm 'hovering' at 5 mg and waiting to see what happens.

    Let's hope others have answers to our problem.

    Good luck, Dave

    • paul45653
      paul45653 Dave-California

      Posted

      Thanks Dave. Some of these things require patients and trial and error. First, eliminating any other possible cause. Then figuring how much to increase the pres. I know many go through this.
  • EileenH
    EileenH paul45653

    Posted

    I think that sounds like 1mg having caught up with you! Go back to 2mg and see if that is enough to help - it helps you sort out what is going on. These are such low doses you really don't have to worry about taking them - but there are plenty of people who will tell you that even these low doses are enough to keep PMR at bay! You might find a few days at 5mg and back to 2mg is needed to be really comfortable - but that's fine too.

    And yes you are an expert - you know what happens with your PMR and that may help someone else.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.