Treating PMR with Prednisone and Hydroxychloroquine

Two of these are hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone.

I am at 300 mg a day three times a day. How much a day do you do?

I only take 300 mg at bedtime, although it was prescribed for me to take it twice a day. It can cause balance issues and dizziness. Because I drive and am active during the day i decided to try taking it only at bedtime. It took awhile to get bicep pain relief at that dosage but the sleep benefit started right away. It was initially prescribed for nerve pain because my PMR first presented as carpal tunnel but then quickly progressed from there and I was diagnosed and prescribed prednisone.

Thanks. I am on prednisone 3 mg at hs. Have been trying to reduce for awhile. I think will try the 200 mg gaba at night and 100 mg during day. Also considered 300 night 100 day next if no improvement. Thanks again

DMARD's are medications that change the progression of inflammatory arthritis. That is where the "disease modifying" terminology comes from.

People with PMR take some of the same medications. However, they are taken more as "steroid sparing" medications in order to assist in keeping the steroid dose as low as possible. Medications like methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine and a few others are commonly tried after about 2 years of treatment with prednisone alone.
https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/study-most-patients-with-pmr-arent-getting-steroid-sparing-agents-in-first-2-years/
Prednisone alone treats the symptoms until PMR and/or GCA goes away. This is supposed to happen in 2 years but sometimes PMR/GCA lasts longer than 2 years.

Diagnosed with PMR 2 months ago and on prednisone since then. It has reduced the pain some, still hurt until mid afternoon when it disappears. Dosage started at 10 mg, went to 15 to 12.5 and now 10. No doubt the P has made me goofy. Side effects include fatigue, crazy dreams, moodiness, and hunger. I have to watch my eating, I want to eat all the time.
I’m seeing my rheumatologist once a month and this week he added Hydroxychloroquine, 2 200 mg tablets once a day. I might be crazy, but after one day, the pain seems to be less. We’LL see!
I spoke to a friend who has been on H for 15 years due to RA and has not had any lasting effects. The problem with Prednisone is that it’s half life is somewhere around 20 hours, so it does not build up in your system, it’s a slam bam thank you ma’am type of drug. Whereas H does build up after a couple months.
Im hoping this helps the pain, it is really effecting my life.

In Maryland too. My rheumatologist said he has approx 50 PMR patients, but I’m the only active one. That surprised me. I keep thinking it’s common, but I guess it’s not THAT common.
I was diagnosed on January 12, 24, so I’m new to this. But I have monthly appointments for the next year scheduled. On 10 mg prednisone, started at 10, went to15 and now back down to 10. But still I a lot of pain until mid afternoon. He prescribed Hydroxichloroquine 2 days ago. I’m hopeful!

I was on hydroxy for over a year. Tried tapering down on Prednisone and could not—too much pain. I stopped hydroxy and did not notice a thing.

That was my experience also.

I was diagnosed with PMR April 2023. so far I’ve been on prednisone and Leflunomide. neither medication worked very well for me. my rheumatologist would like to try HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE. How does this medication work with PMR? also I was thinking if this one doesn’t work out any thoughts on methotrexate? Thank you for any information you can give me!!!