Newly diagnosed with PMR, what results to expect from prednisone
Posted , 9 users are following.
A month ago I saw my GP for a flare up of my asthma and also muscle pains and stiffness. She prescribed me 40mg of prednisone for a week and said if I also had PMR then the symptoms would improve.
Well I had a complete recovery the day after my first dose, I could say miraculous. As asked I saw my Dr a few weeks later, the symptoms were returning and she started me on prednisone 15mg a day. Obviously I wasn’t expecting such a great result on a lower dose, but my questions are -
1) How much do your symptoms resolve before you reduce the dose?
2) Do they go away, or do they just get better?
3) What happens with a ‘flare up’?
Thank you
0 likes, 16 replies
lilian05079 Elizamc
Posted
I have succesfully tapered off preds. I started on 15mg after my ESR blood test showed a high level and CRP showed a high level and ANA was positive. I was referred to a Rheumatologist which i eventually saw 2 months later. He reduced my dose to 10mg. I saw him again 3 months later and he told me to start tapering by 1mg a month because tapering has to be done slowly. Coming off them too quickly can make you quite ill. I carried on tapering and had some side effects and pain did come back but carried on seeing my rheumy every 3 months until i finally came off preds. I did have some withdrawal symptoms but got over that and now feeling good and well.
But as Anhaga mentioned not everyone is the same our bodies react differently and some patients take longer than others to taper and not everyone has the same side effects. I did not know what path taking preds would take me on. We all go along different paths.
Although i am feeling good and well i have shoulder pain and arm pain which has been diagnosed, after a scan, as bursitis for which i am being treated....i hope this has answered your queries....my best wishes to you Elizamc...