Just diagnosed with PMR

The thing about pred is that unlike many drugs which have serious side effects you are NOT at your initial highest dose for very long.  Once your symptoms have been reliably relieved for about six weeks you start a slow and careful, steady reduction to the lowest dose which continues to relieve the symptoms.  This can take a while to achieve maybe over tswo years, but with every reduction the side effects, if any, also reduce.  And virtually all side effects can be managed through diet and adequate rest.  It is a challenge.  I understand completely how you feel about pred.  But pred can be your friend, albeit and dangerous little friend who has to be managed!  All the best.  

Hi Joan, you can always try taking the steroids for two or three days and see how you feel. Then stop if you feel they are not helping. They really are a wonder drug. Nothing else touches them in reducing inflammation. I have coated tablets, if you live in UK you can get them on the NHS, this means you do not need Lansoprazole. Have you been tested for vit D deficiency the symptoms are quite similar to PMR?

dont be scared  joan i never had any side efects  from pred.  the only side i  got  was from aldronic acid.  so the doc took me off and put me on calceos  no probs with that either.there is nothing that will touch the pain only. pred.  rather take that than be in excrushiatin pain of pmr.  i have been on it for 5+years and had a dexa scanlately and  bones are ok too    cheer up  things can only get better x

 

I won't repeat what the others have said. I just have to ask how you can be in debilitating pain and yet still be willing to live with it.

Hi joan83529, I have had PMR, for about 12 months now. Been on Phedinsone since last August, started on 20 mg, by my PCP. Within seven days or so, the pain level dropped. Within a month almost felt normal as far as pain. Hands and feet felt strange, tongue did not feel right, but was gone. The PMR, seem to start after I had a bad intestinal virus. Several weeks later I saw my rheumy, she reduce the Phed to 15 mg. Slowly down to 10 and finally 7 mg, then replase, then stepped all the way up to 30 mg. Believe I will stay at this level and reduce even slower this time. I hope this information helps. Good luck, keep smiling.