Mayo Clinic study of PMR
Posted , 12 users are following.
I have somewhat recently changed physicians, and I now have one that I really like. On my last visit, she asked me how long I had been on prednisone for PMR. I told her that it has been 2 1/2 years. Her response was one of surprise, and I was told that PMR lasts 1 1/2 to 2 years, maximum. Considering the similar stories in this forum I have the feeling that medical schools actually taught that. (Maybe they still do.)
I remember us discussing the Mayo Clinic study that puts the median duration for PMR at 5.95 years. However, I have not been able to find it. Can anyone in this forum give me a reference to that study so that I can print it and bring it along with me to my next appointment?
Between now and then, I'm going to have to figure the most diplomatic way to present this contradictory evidence to a physician whom I really respect.
0 likes, 8 replies
erika59785 richard07199
Posted
Actually I did print out the Mayo Clinic Study and showed it to my Rheumatologist. She read it and did not respond to it. She knows now. One needs to speak up --- they would like to be the experts, but often do not consider that we are all different.
Michdonn erika59785
Posted
erika, I gave several different printouts to my Rheumey, she did not respond, but has allowed me to manage my tapering. She is never pleased with how slow I taper, but does continue to provide me with prescriptions which is all I want. I feel I must manage my PMR, not make her happy! 🙂
erika59785 Michdonn
Posted
Thanks for your message. I came to this conclusion myself to manage my PMR and not to make her happy.
EileenH richard07199
Posted
https://www.medpagetoday.org/rheumatology/generalrheumatology/66912?vpass=1
is the link to the media release article and at the bottom is the link to the original work as a pdf:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acr.23320
Some rheumies are willing to hear - hope your new one is one of them.
richard07199 EileenH
Posted
Eileen, Thank you for the reply and web site references. I printed them out and will share them with my M.D.
I understand that a G.P. can't be expected to have the knowledge of a specialist on every human condition. It's my hope that she will welcome this new research (published in 2017), and we can continue to work together. She lets me manage my own pred dosage, so that's a good sign.
I'm currently at 5.0 mg. I started at 40 mg 2 1/2 years ago and got down to where I am now via DSNS. ( (I learned about DSNS on this forum.) I actually got down to 4.5 but started to feel a little achy so I cranked it up to 5.0 and things seem to be ok there. Maybe after the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year holidays are over, I'll make another try at 4.5 via DSNS. Got to think like a turtle, right?
Thanks, also, to Erika, Michdonn, Pauline, and Anhaga for your supportive replies.
EileenH richard07199
Posted
One very good rheumy in the UK likes to keep his patients at 5mg for up to 9 months before continuing the journey. He finds it lets the body catch up and the rest of the journey seems to go better.
pauline36422 richard07199
Posted
i took it to my gpto read through. and on my next visit he said i had good infoe on the forum. so he left it to me to do my reducing in a good way i must add
Anhaga richard07199
Posted
I hope your rheumatologist listens. I think one of the great things about this forum is it is supported by (indeed started by) physicians and is well moderated so no doctor can dismiss information from here as rubbish off the internet!
https://patient.info/about-us