Symptoms returning

I cant understand why they bang on so much about raised inflamation levels in blood as I never had them and it was only down to my very brill gp that I was diagnosed with GCA and PMR . I have been on orednisolone for 4 years and have very gently come down from 40mg to 5mg. My gp never worries about my doses and trusts me to be sensible and know what I can tolerate,

 

For goodness sake don't they realise the reason your blood results are OK is because the steroids are working. I do despair of our medical profession sometimes. Some people never have raised blood markers. 2.5 mg is a tiny dose and could be a bit low if you have problems. I am not sure what you do when you come across doctors who do not seem to be that knowledgable about either PMR or steroids. I suppose look for someone else who has a bit more sense. I would increase your dose of pred if you have pain, can you talk to your GP? 

Hiya Jaydy. Had PMR about the same amount of time as you and am only down to 12mg. I suggest you go back up to where you felt most comfortable even if it was 10mg then drop very slowly. Good luck.

My rheumi doctor has had no problems with my adjusting dosage level to what is needed in real time, since the dosage requirement often fluctuates for unknown reasons.

After 2-1/2 years and after reaching 3mg/day he did recommend and prescribe plaquenil as something to allow further reduction, but I am continuing on only with the pred.  I'm actually up to 4mg/day these last few months, as was needed to control symptoms, as I would be crippled and fatigued at any much lower level.

You can't just taper off per some mathematical schedule without allowing for the normal changing level of symtoms, as much as your doctor seems to wish that you could. It just doesn't quite work that way and you may lose years of productivity and comfortable living if you follow that route.

Thank-you everyone who replied to my cry for help. Your comments were very helpful and I have taken on oard the fact that I am obviously trying to manage on too small a dose.

i Jaydy, Your consultant has not obviously had PMR or he would feel differently!  Amazing!  Inept!  Don't reduce if you are uncomfortable, you are the one living with it.  Goodluck, Elinor

'Dr says reduce preds as fast as possible'  This is one of the problems with most medics they don't understand!  You have a far better hold on what your body needs and I would go that way - also not as fast as possible but slow and sure.

Just replied on your other post.