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

PMR back

Posted , 13 users are following.

margaret89358
margaret89358

I had reduced to 10mg three weeks ago,all was going well until this morning when I struggled to get up, I've noticed when I have sat down it is also difficult to get up. I am going on holiday in 10 days time, could someone please tell me what I should increase pred to get over this period. And how long before reducing again. I know I am impatient, and like a lot of my fellow sufferers i do rest when I know I have overdone it, this is different it dosent go away just by resting. It is the same symtoms I had when I was first diagnosed with PMR.

thank you 

 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Bethune
    Bethune margaret89358

    Posted

    Always Check with your doc first.  I try going up 1mg if it doesn't help after 2 days.  I go up 5mg and give it 2 days.  But I always let my doc know .  5mg usually works for me, but once I had to go up 10-- from 10mg back up to 20mg.  Very discouraging.   But again, always with my doc on board. 

  • Elijo
    Elijo margaret89358

    Posted

    I see nothing wrong in increasing it to 5 mg. to help get you on board for you holiday;  then when you return you can work on reducing it slowly.  Life is to ;live, not suffer, and that little bit could give you a boost.  Others may not agree with me, but that is what I would do!  Good luck and enjoy your holiday!  Elinor
    • Bethune
      Bethune Elijo

      Posted

      I myself increase 5mg.. but an reluctant   to recommend that to others without suggesting they ask/tell their doc.  But especially for vacation.  Go have fun without pain and start back down slowly as soon as you can.  Last vacation I had to go up 10, but it was a soccer tournament and I was determined to play!  All went well- 

      Take what you need and have fun!

  • Michdonn
    Michdonn margaret89358

    Posted

    margaret89358, normal I am PMR pain free, I had minor flare, few weeks ago tapering from 17.5 to 15. I bumped from 15 to 20 three days later I has once again PMR pain free. Reduced to 17. 5 for three days and continued tapering to 15, now tapering to 12.5. So I will increase doses in the future, I think the longer one waits, the trouble you find yourself in. Think positive have a good holiday. Smiling 🙂

  • EileenH
    EileenH margaret89358

    Posted

    It is the typical sign of having reduced just slightly too far to manage the current level of activity of the underlying disease - after a week or two the left over inflammation each day has built up and is enough to cause symptoms.

    By how much did you reduce to get to 10mg? The usual instruction from doctors is either to go back to the last dose you were good at or to add 5mg for 2 or 3 days and then drop back down - but you mustn't go back to 10mg, it is obviously not quite enough. That's why I ask about the reduction size: if it was 1mg you can go back to 11mg, if it was 2.5mg then you need to reduce more slowly, in smaller steps. Preferably not more than 1mg at a time.

    • EileenH
      EileenH

      Posted

      PS - learn your limits and rest BEFORE you have overdone it!!! An afternoon rest often means you can go all evening to a later time - in the end you have more time due to that rest, not less.
  • Bethune
    Bethune margaret89358

    Posted

    Lots of people mention rest.  So far I haven't noticed rest to make any difference.  It used to be that the more I exercised the better I felt.  That seems to have changed, but rest doesn't help either.  Hope the Cimzia will kick in and help. But so far the pain level is annoying but not inhibiting of daily function.   Just discouraged its starting up again.  I'm optimistic something will help once again.  Good Luck everyone!

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Bethune

      Posted

      Bethune, rest is important so your PMR affected tissues can heal. At lower doses rest is even more necessary as adrenal glands may take a while to get their production of cortisol back up to speed. I do find exercise helpful, but there are many kinds of activity which drain different energies and I not infrequently find even a pleasant activity leaves me exhausted.
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.