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How do I handle the ups and downs of PMR? So many questions.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jul 9 6:30pm | Replies (20)Comment receiving replies
What determined your taper or increase amount?
Did the dr tell you when or did you do so on your own?
I see many people talking about changing dosage. I see my dr every 6 weeks with suggested tapering times and amounts. Is it ok to not follow their plan due to how my body feels? I was supposed to go from 6 to 5 today. Didn’t yet because I’m not sure my body is ready. Worry in a sense about not following Dr suggestions.
Replies to "What determined your taper or increase amount? Did the dr tell you when or did you..."
If I can't follow the tapering schedule given to me by my doctor I call him and his assistant calls me back that day with instructions. I don't just "wing it" without telling him. He did appear aggravated at the beginning when I had my visit and hadn't tapered as much as he thought I should. I held my ground, stayed calm and tried to be very specific about what symptoms were preventing me from going lower. One time he told me to call him if I had a flare-up and he would order lab tests for inflammation. That happened and my numbers were up. He started to believe me more after that. Some doctors seem to think you should be over this in a year. I have been on prednisone for 3 years, at 5.5 mg right now. Your taper seems fast to me but do your best to work with your doctor, not follow what someone on a support group says.
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My approach to Prednisone is 1) worth the side effects 2) taper at your own pace.
My PCP started me on a pack of 6 days after a cortisone shot didn't help me. When the pain came back almost instantly, he gave me another 6 day dose.
A few days after the last pill, I went to his office in agony. The Devil's Tic Tac works in alleviating pain, and we all know that PMR pain is excruciating. I've never had chronic pain before, so it was a learning curve.
Blood tests showed inflammation markers and my PCP finally established that I had PMR. I had to wait 3 months to see a Rheumatologist.
Since December, 2023, I've tapered from 20mg to 8mg. I hope to continue down to ZERO.
I consult my doctors, but ultimately, you ARE in control of your taper. There is no reason to hurt when relief is available. OTC meds can't touch PMR pain in my case.