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PMR, Prednisone, pain management

Posted , 9 users are following.

kathy67492
kathy67492

3+ years of PMR, Prednisone dose is 7-1/2m daily, down from starting dose of 15. I have always known that I have some arthritis, only visible in the thumb joints. In the past several days I have had a worsening of joint pain, not necessarily PMR pain (some bicep pain when awakening), but pain all over when I stop activity...moving around, walking, tennis, etc. I have taken some Tylenol today but cannot tell if it has helped because I have to continue movement. Eventually I will have to go to bed for the night...last night was awful...woke up quite a few times in pain. Have experienced this before I believe, but not since PMR and being on prednisone for so long.

Have been @7-1/2 for about 6 weeks. Common arthritis (cool weather change?), or Rheumatoid Arthritis? Thank you😊

0 likes, 28 replies

28 Replies

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  • margo25238
    margo25238 kathy67492

    Posted

    I was on pred for two years.  Last dose was Dec. 2016.  I notice gradual stiffness and discomfort in my bones and muscles which continues.  I can move around, do yoga, walk, play golf without this discomfort.  BUT upon awakening, I am greeted with stiffness and muscle aches, as well as getting up after reading the paper, etc, i am always stiff and achy for a few minutes until i start moving.  When this happens i cannot help remembering older relatives seemingly dealing with similar impaired.   flexibility.  I am wondering if this could be related to my adrenals not having been fully awakened after two years on pred.
    • EileenH
      EileenH margo25238

      Posted

      Think it is far more likely to be due to advancing annodomini... I don't mind temporary stiffness - it is constant pain and stiffness I couldn't bear to return to.

    • margo25238
      margo25238 EileenH

      Posted

      Eileen, can you tell me what annodomini...is and should i go to the rheumy or my gp for some follow up
    • EileenH
      EileenH margo25238

      Posted

      Age, years.

      Doubt the doctor can do much about it...

    • margo25238
      margo25238 EileenH

      Posted

      Before Pred, i had none of my current complaints.  In your experience on this blog, do you have any information that my complaints could have manifested because of 2 years on pred?
    • EileenH
      EileenH margo25238

      Posted

      It is possible that you have very low activity PMR I suppose. That's what it sounds like. But you do have to bear in mind that 2 years of not being fit and active does leave its mark on anyone. It will take a long time to regain the level of fitness you had before - if you were fit that is and I'm not saying you weren't. Plus, pred is thought to accelerate the aging process somewhat in some people - hence the progression of cataracts for example. After stopping taking pred it is felt it takes a year for the body to settle down back to "normal".

      But belive me - you can't "just" blame pred. Having untreated PMR is one of the most ageing things I have ever experienced! And it hurts!!!!!

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga margo25238

      Posted

      Actually, Margo, this sounds like the way I feel, the way I felt before pred (only that was much worse) and the way I feel now at a low dose of pred.  I've assumed it was PMR simmering away and willing to put up with it as I'm not disabled as I was becoming pre-pred.  Perhaps it is just age, in which case probably I should be considering weaning off pred completely sooner rather than later.  question

    • margo25238
      margo25238 Anhaga

      Posted

      I feel like i have hit a wall!  After two years on pred, and the dead slow weaning, i never expected to be left with these aches and pains.  Althought the pmr pain was much worse, what the heck, i had NO pain or discomfort before PMR hit me...wish there was something which could be fingered as causing this so i could follow up, as i did when dx with pmr.
    • margo25238
      margo25238 EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks, this at least gives me some hope that with diligent self care i may actually feel 'myself' within a year...

  • amkoffee
    amkoffee kathy67492

    Posted

    When I complained of thumb pain to my rheumy which we both agreed it was not PMR she suggested I wear a thumb brace. And it has helped immensely as long as I wear it. As soon as I take it off then Katy bar the door. The thumb brace looks like a glove with no fingers but it has a place for the thumb to go. You should give it a try.
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