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

PMR, Prednisone, Lesson Learned?

Posted , 5 users are following.

kathy67492
kathy67492

...or not? After 22 months after diagnoses of PMR I am at 7-1/2m.

was down to 6m briefly for two weeks, but flared badly. Taper down, spent 8-1/2 weeks @8m, feeling good. Continued Eileen's taper to 7-1/2....not even a hiccup!  Do I dare wait one more week and taper to 7m? Try it?....or don't push my luck? All comments welcome.

Thank you!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy kathy67492

    Posted

    If you have been on 7.5mg for four weeks and feel fine why not give it a go to 7mg? 
  • Anhaga
    Anhaga kathy67492

    Posted

    I have been following dead slow method also.  Until I got to 7 (from 10) I stayed on the lower dose for about 10 days before another reduction.  It has been taking me longer to get down to 6.5.  If you feel well, and have felt well for more than a week, I think it's safe to try another reduction.  There is a difference between steroid withdrawal and returning pmr.  I understand that if you feel the pain right away it is possibly steroid withdrawal, which is eased the next day when you have your higher dose.  Increasing pain after a few days at a lower dose, however, will indicate the pmr is creeping back.  This is one of the benefits of dead slow method, you can encourage the body to get over the steroid withdrawal, but because the increments are so small it is easy to catch a possible flare.  
    • kathy67492
      kathy67492 Anhaga

      Posted

      Good reminders. A doctor (not my rheumatologist) said that taking around 5m is a pretty small dose...a good ""target" dose. I think Eileen has mentioned this also. Thanks!
    • ceciledian
      ceciledian kathy67492

      Posted

      My doctor is also not terribly concerned about 5mg and below, which surprised me as she prefers natural methods over prescription whenever possible.
  • dan38655
    dan38655 kathy67492

    Posted

    After two years of pmr and 22 months on pred, I have learned to be very perceptive as to how close to the "edge" of dosage requirement needed to prevent symptom recurrence.

    But the dosage requirement does tend to fluctuate "on it's own", at least as far as I can discern.  I do get best result with my taper when I exercise daily, so bad weather and reduced activity can increase my dosage requirement, as can things like restaurant food and sweetened foods.

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga dan38655

      Posted

      I think I'm beginning to understand what you mean, Dan. Trying to taper from 7 to 6 via 6.5.  It would be easier to stay at 7 for a while longer but I'm starting to get some of the less palatable side effects of pred so want to keep sneaking down without triggering a flare.  So far, so good, although it is soooo hard to resist temptation to go too fast!
  • sharon21683
    sharon21683 kathy67492

    Posted

    Dan you are correct, exercise is very important for keeping your body moving. And Kathy, I am down to 4 mg now and doing well. I plan on doing the dead slow method so after 4 weeks at 4 mg I will alternate 3 mg one day and 4 mg the next for another month. Hopefully this will still manage my pain still..we will see.
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.