PMR symptoms or Pred Reduction?
Posted , 11 users are following.
Apr 1
Started 20mg (10mg twice a day) on Feb 13. At first follow up appointment on Mar 22, rheumy was adamant about reducing. He was firm about dropping to 10mg once a day. I questioned the 50% reduction. I questioned the 'once a day' dosage. I had serious reservations from what I had been reading here on patient about tapering. But, he's been treating me for 20 yrs for other auto immune issues. So I followed doctors orders.
Within 2 days I began to notice a difference. My sensitive teeth and sore tongue had lessened so that was good. But I developed an afternoon headache that persisted no matter which pain reliever I tried: Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, even a Vicodin. The mornings I awoke without headache. They start after lunch like clockwork. That's usually when I take my supplements. I stopped taking them at day 6 thinking maybe the Vit D was interfering with the tapering? Didn't help.
The 20 mg pred had relieved about 70-80% of my PMR pain. My left knee has been an ongoing issue and pain in my right shoulder still persisted but it was lessened for sure.
I awoke yesterday morning in a sad state. Both shoulders, arms, back of my thighs. My knee was visibly inflamed, stiff and painful. I cannot bend it more than 120 degrees. This pain lasted throughout the day. Not 'morning stiffness'
So , I'm thinking this may just be withdrawal pain due to 50% reduction. As pain in my hips and groin were a huge problem pre-diagnosis and so far no pain there.
Placed a call to rhemy's office, he called me back within an hour!!! Unheard of! I asked to up the Pred. He says no, take paracetamol and split the Pred dose. 5mg in AM and 5 in evening. He thinks the Pred wasn't lasting the day. Sounds plausible.
As I already took the 10 this morning and figured 5mg tomorrow wouldn't do, I took another 5 at 5:00pm. So total for today is 15mg
Here's my concern. Did I just mess up everything by taking the extra 5 and going back to 10 tomorrow in a split dosage?
Moreover,
Is there anyway to differentiate whether these are withdrawal symptoms or is 10mg Pred not enough to mask the original PMR pain.
The extra 5mg didn't do much to alleviate pain but....
Tonight is the first time I haven't a headache. Silver lining!!
Sorry if I rambled a bit. Thanks in advance. 🌺
0 likes, 61 replies
iellen32 danielle_65358
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complicated point we face.,
After having flare ups doing the quick reduction i decided to follow my body paying close attention on the signs my body gives to me.
I keep the same amount of the steroid for weeks and then very carefully I go down and if it does not work I immediately increase the dose for tha amount I had been taking,
Take care.
😉
danielle_65358 iellen32
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Going forward I will follow a much slower taper schedule. I'm hoping the 10 mg taken in 2 separate doses will help. I can only wait and see. Thanks
ptolemy danielle_65358
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andypolly danielle_65358
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danielle_65358 andypolly
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I'll definitely slow the reduction rate going forward. I just hope I can 'even out' at 10mg
Handbrake danielle_65358
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danielle_65358 Handbrake
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I think I wanted to believe the reduction wound be ok. I honestly sat in my car after my appt debating.
I believe high BP, extra 15 lbs, and my big rounded face prompted the doc to reduce me.
I'm hoping to feel just as pain free on 10 as I did at 20. And hopefully with less side effects.
This site is a blessing. Thank you.
Handbrake danielle_65358
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reggie92967 danielle_65358
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danielle_65358 Handbrake
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danielle_65358 reggie92967
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I think I read somewhere that the weight and puffy face go away as our doses get in the single digits Not sure how true this is but we can only hope.
Handbrake danielle_65358
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danielle_65358 Handbrake
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Yes. I take thyroid med first thing in AM and I take the supplements after lunch.
Since the drastic reduction over a week ago I feel like everything is out of whack. I hope to regain some balance soon. Thanks
Handbrake danielle_65358
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Daniel1143 danielle_65358
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from everything I know and have read, a drop from 20mg to 10mg is way too fast if you've been on the higher dose prednisone for more than a week or two. Â My Rheumatologist did say I could take a flash dose of 15mg then drop back down if I flare badly, But that's an exception. I was prescribed a taper rate of 2.5 mg per month in my decent from 20mg. At 10mg, it's 1 mg per Month.
i got down to 5mg and my PMR returned in full relapse. Â Heading back up to 7.5 to see if that's my threshold. Â Had hoped I could get off prednisone but the disease is tougher than I am.Â
danielle_65358 Daniel1143
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Sorry about your relapse. I hope 7.5 helps.
Thanks for the info on flash dose, that does ease my mind a bit about taking that extra 5 yesterday.
You're absolutely right. We are managing the Pred.
danielle_65358 Daniel1143
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Could you explain what you said about 'flash dose' ?
I'm currently at 10.split dose of 5 in the am and 5 late afternoon. Withdrawal symptoms are better but it seems like the PMR is slowly returning!
I'm wondering if a few days of an extra 5 might "get it in check agsin"
Thanks
Daniel1143 danielle_65358
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danielle_65358 Daniel1143
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