stiffness from reducing prednisolone

Posted , 14 users are following.

I have been using pred for 18 months now, and I had reduced from 20mg down to 6mg once before when I had a flare up and had to go up again to 10mg. Under Rheumy Dr supervision I have been reducing 1 mg a month, and have got down to 1mg however I am very stiff first thing in the morning, and also when I get up out of a sitting position. I am not in pain, just stiffness. I am due to come off completely at the end of May, but not sure what to do now. Will this stiffness go of its own accord? Regards Rosemary.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    " I am due to come off completely at the end of May"

    That isn't how it works - you are tapering to find the lowest dose that manages your symptoms as well as the starting dose, not tapering relentlessly to zero, and it sounds as if you have arrived a bit back.

    PMR requires a median duration of management with pred of 5.9 years - about a third get off pred in under 2 years and only half are off pred at 5 years:

    https://www.medpagetoday.org/rheumatology/generalrheumatology/66912?vpass=1

    https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/resources/news-and-research/polymyalgia-rheumatica-steroid-side-effects-new-findings

    are two different articles about the same research with slightly different emphases.

    It doesn't mean you won't get off pred altogether - just not just yet. And a lot of rheumies are not up-to-date with this knowledge. Two years is pie in the sky.

  • Posted

    Unfortunately you cannot plan when you will be off pred, PMR dictates this for you. If you have pain or stiffness it is probably a good idea to hang on in there and just take it slowly.

  • Posted

    Rosemary,

    I've been on prednisone for 5 years, and have gotten down to 0.5 mg but am now back up to 1.5.

    The problem I'd have in answering your question is that normal wear and tear from AGE, even without PMR, will account for some stiffness wouldn't it?

    I certainly am a lot stiffer now (at 71) than I was when I started this ordeal (at 66).

    So I don't know if it's age-related stiffness or PMR related.

    Maybe someone wiser than I can help a bit better.

    All the best

  • Posted

    I've had PMR now for 16 months and am currently at 9 mg reducing -- hopefully -- 1 mg per month. Even though I'm generally without pain, I'm always stiff in the morning for about 10 minutes, as well as getting up from sitting, although this stiffness lasts just a few minutes. I figure this is just a fact of life with PMR. I'm certain that this is not just old-age stiffness. I've often wondered if other inflamatory deseases also cause such stiffness. If not, perhaps this a sure way to diagnose PMR?

    • Posted

      Most inflammatory forms of arthritis are associated with morning stiffness so no - afraid it isn't a foolproof way of diagnosing PMR and nor, in fact, despite what a lot of people believe, doctors included, is the response to pred. The criterion for morning stiffness in PMR etc is stiffness lasting for at least an hour but also persisting through the day.

  • Posted

    I have gone up from 1mg to 3mg and the stiffness in my hips has gone now, however I have pain across my shoulders, which doesn't seem to be going at all. In all the 18 months I have been on pred I have never had this before even when I was first diagnosed, which is why they were unsure what I had. Do I need to go up more? Rosemary.

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.