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Positive rheumatologist visit today

Posted , 9 users are following.

margaret89358
margaret89358

Visited Rhmy today, he was a bit concerned that the GP did not do a blood test before putting pred up to 20mg due my my stiff left shoulder and arm. He gave me an injection in my left shoulder to ease the stiffness. He has now put me on a programme to reduce 2mg every two weeks once I get to 9 to reduce every four weeks. It was good to be listened to. 

He said if I get a flare next time, go and get a blood test at the hospital and pop down to the Rheumatology dept to let them know I have had bloods taken and he will look ring with what I need to do. I felt very comforted knowing one is being listened too.

Hope everyone is still  doing well and counting down to xmas 🎄. 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • TheRaven
    TheRaven margaret89358

    Posted

    I'm glad to year you've got a doctor that'll listen and wish you good luck on the reduction but that's very fast.   You might get by with the reduction the first few times but I would expect a flare somewhere along the line before you get down to 9 mg.  My rheumy very recently had me reducing 1 mg every 2 weeks from the 15 mg level.  I got by with it the first reduction but the 2nd time, dropping to 13, didn't fly.  I'm back at 14 mg and giving my body more time to adjust before reducing again.  

  • Bethune
    Bethune margaret89358

    Posted

    Good to have a responsive Doc, but that seems too fast a reduction plan to me. After several failures, I'm going to use the BSDS(?)Super slow method of tapering, recommended by many on this site.  Good Luck!

  • daniel08939
    daniel08939 margaret89358

    Posted

    Blood tests do not always indicate what is going on withn PMR I have had PMR on two separate occasion six years apart and my blood tests were never elevated, always normal yet I had PMR. I believe two mg every two weeks is going to result in a flare. I would reduce much slower than your Rhmy is suggesting. 1 mg every eight weeks is more practical. 
    • freda07782
      freda07782 daniel08939

      Posted

      I would even suggest reducing by .5mg. And using the DSAS method. It's slow but it's the only thing that is working for me! Good luck. (I'm nearly down to 2.5. In a few days anyway! Still have the odd day of 3mg.) 

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