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Reducing pred has improved my PMR!

Posted , 6 users are following.

FlipDover_Aust
FlipDover_Aust

I know, it sounds rediculous! 

I went to to see a rheumatologist for the first time last week, 12 months exactly after my PMR diagnosis. I was in more pain and had more brain fog etc than ever, even though I was on 20mg of pred. I have to say I was more than a little skeptical when he told me to cut my pred dramatically (down to 15mg immediately and 10mg a week later).  I was also VERY skeptical about methotrexate (Eileen, you are partly responsible for this !lol). 

I was also put on Lyrica as he suspects I also have fibromyalgia (also skeptical lol - it's a wonder I believe anything any body says). 

I dont seem seem to have any real problems with the methotrexate,  although I think the Lyrica is knocking me about a bit. Head spins, tiredness, but my head is clear for the first time in 6 months! And the pain in my hips has almost completely disappeared - I could hardly walk last week and now I can move without thinking about it! I walked around the shops for three hours yesterday , and although I was worn out I was ok. 

this could be a case where the pred side effects were mimicking the disease itself. Something to watch out for? 

 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • paul45653
    paul45653 FlipDover_Aust

    Posted

    I have been waiting for a post like yours. I have been suffering with the hip pains when walking for most of the two years of PMR. As much as I have been told it all stems from advanced osteoarthritis of the spine, I have held out hope that it has been the Pred. I am down to 7mg as of today and will stay on the half mg per month reduction for lack of any other plan and hope the hips will improve when I get to a lower dose, if I last that long. I'm 85.
    • FlipDover_Aust
      FlipDover_Aust paul45653

      Posted

      Word on the street (and my GP) is that the side effects are minimal below 8mg, but it certainly might be causing you pain around that dose if that is indeed the problem.  Time will tell if your hip pain subsides at a lower dose! 

      Don't throw in the towel yet Paul, life long enough to be a real nuisance ! Lol

  • julian.
    julian. FlipDover_Aust

    Posted

    it doesn't sound ridiculous to me! Full marks to the rheumy. And full marks to you for not letting the scepticism get in the way. I find it quite difficult to accept advice when I'm miserable. Got to be better than the rough time you thought you were in for.

    Looking good for Christmas. But don't overdo things!

    • FlipDover_Aust
      FlipDover_Aust julian.

      Posted

      ....and miserable I have been.  Very.  I'll be very impressed if this new regime works in the long term and I get my life back! 

      I can can live with the pain and stiffness, but that brain fog was doing me in. 

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga FlipDover_Aust

    Posted

    FlipDover, that's fascinating.  I've been wondering if my increasing hip pain might be due to the muscle-weakening effects of pred.  Good to know that it might improve as I start to regain that strength.  As I'm at 7 mg now I think it might be a point where a lot of the effects from earlier higher doses are really impacting me, while it is too soon for the benefits of the lower doses to have kicked in.  At least the pmr aches seem to be remaining minimal!

    Happy Christmas!  🎅🎄

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