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"RA has been around a long time."
"Corticosteroids appear to be all that works if the PMR becomes advanced."
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I think the narrative that "prednisone is the only option" gets perpetuated because there hasn't been the research done for PMR like it has been done for RA. Promoting the fast response to prednisone as a "miracle" while the long term side effects of prednisone are downplayed or "easy to manage" doesn't promote the pressing need for more research into PMR. For some reason, the lessons learned from RA aren't applied to PMR.
My PMR became refractory. I didn't ever think prednisone worked that well based on the number of relapses I had. I believe the long term use of prednisone actually perpetuates PMR. I think the immune system needs to be reset quickly and people need to taper off Prednisone as soon as possible. A sustained remission of PMR needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Prednisone worked well for uveitis and some other problems I had before PMR was diagnosed. A 60 mg dose for uveitis followed by a fast taper to achieve remission didn't cause many problems relative to the long term use of prednisone for PMR.
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5 years ago I developed an illness that left me very debilitated with low grade fever, crushing fatigue and an inability to get out of my bed or walk without pain. I was given Prednisone and it gave me osteoporosis and I can no longer use that drug for my PMR pain. I weaned off after 8 months and the PMR, Lymes, RA whatever it was did not return until last week. I was not clearly diagnosed because C Reactive protein and Sed rates were elevated but not over the mark where I definitely had PMR or serum negative RA. I am going to a new Rheumatologist this morning. I had to take a Meloxicam 20 minutes ago because the pain is unbearable.
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Thank you. Those who are saying they’re having no side effects from the prednisone don’t know what long term damage might be happening to their organs. Like higher chances of cancer. I have a precancerous condition and refuse to touch the stuff.