Changing from prednisone to NSAID’s

I am not good at a short answer. I was seeing an orthopedic for my pain and had MRI of my shoulders and xrays of my knees. Basically bursitis some arthritis but nothing serious for being 70. Small slap tear in my right shoulder. He suggested a rheumatologist. I went to Mayo phoenix. Waiting on that appointment I self diagnosed myself and started on Dexamethasone. Pain was gone in 4 hrs. I was on Dex about 4 weeks before I saw the rhumy. I didnt show any markers. But he agreed after running a boat load of tests that I had PMR. I had complained to him I thought the dex was making me light headed. He ordered an ultrasound of my neck and thyroid. I was 100% blocked in the right carotid and 70% in the left. He then sent me to cardiologist at Mayo that cleaned out the left. He also sent me to a urologist at Mayo. I had prostate cancer 8 months before PMR.
Just after I finished tapering steroids I had pain in my abdomen. I thought it was prednisone flare. So I kept putting up with it. Then I started running a heavy fever. I went to emergency and I had a 9mm kidney stone with an infected kidney. Had to have surgery for that. So steroids may not have caused all my problems but they sure can mask many things. I seem to be good now. Survived the cancer and survived PMR and steroids. 72 and kicking.

To Tuckerp
I’m usually not very good with the short answers, either 😂
Thanks again for all your helpful information!

When do you start the Actemra infusions?

I hope you have an excellent response to Actemra. I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis with associated uveitis in my early 30's. PMR was diagnosed when I was 52.

My rheumatologist said I have "a wide range of rheumatology problems" that caused systemic inflammation. I took Prednisone for a total of 30 years. For the first 15 years, I took intermittent (twice per year an average) high doses (60-100 mg) of prednisone followed by a fast taper (1-2 months). This was the treatment for flares of uveitis, reactive arthritis and trigeminal neuralgia. Remission was quickly achieved for all the above with a prednisone burst. I tried many different "flavors" of NSAIDs between these flares whenever I wasn't taking prednisone.

After PMR was diagnosed, I took prednisone continuously for 12 years. I started with 40 mg of prednisone. I was able to reduce this dose by approximately 10 mg every 5 years. I was still taking 10 mg of prednisone when Actemra was tried. I went from 10 mg to zero in one year but most of that year was to allow time for my adrenals to recover.

Now I only do a monthly infusion of Actemra. I have been completely off prednisone for the last 3.5 years. I don't seem to need any other medications to treat pain. My rheumatologist says Acterma is an "anti-inflammatory" medication not a pain medication so she offers me "something else" for pain if I need it. I don't seem to need anything else for pain. If I needed something for pain, I would take an NSAID but I don't seem to need those either.

I have severe arthritis but the pain isn't that severe. My spine doesn't look so good but the pain is tolerable. I guess the inflammation in my joints isn't a problem anymore.

For Glinda47: I know how you feel!! My doctor gave me a short term prescription for a “”sleeping pill” and it gave me horrible nightmares! No more sleeping pills for me!
So I thought I would try a “natural” remedy, Melatonin.
Took it at bedtime with a half of my pain pill and I was sleepwalking into walls on the way to the bathroom! Which is why I no longer use melatonin.! When I take a pain pill at bedtime, this sometimes helps me sleep. Or I will do some reading or put on a movie— that works for me and I have a huge movie collection. Physical relations usually works too if I’m not having pain! 😍

lol. That would be natural relief. Just at your age hard to imagine nightly. 🙂

Yes it is a natural relief 😂
Yes it is harder at our age since my hubby and I both have arthritis! 🥲
We have been together over 51 years and always had a very good physical relationship! Body massages and back rubs work good for us, helping to relax if we can’t get to sleep😍❤️

seniormed, what do you consider "sleep hygiene?" I have lifelong insomnia and sleep hygiene for me is called getting lucky. I've tried all the recommendations for best sleep and nothing works for me. If I get 6 hrs, I'm good to go. This year, when we went DST, I started waking up at 5:30 can't get back to sleep. It's been rough. My body is so anti-sleep, I once took an Ambien and it did NOTHING. I felt no effects at all.
Glad you're doing well.

THC/CBD gummies 10mg at bedtime have been very effective for me the last year. I could always fall asleep easily but not stay asleep. What is it about 3am that seems to be a common wide awake problem for people? I got a lot of middle of the night reading during those long nights for years! Now I most often sleep for 6-8 hours solid. No side effects other than some decent sleep. Is legal in the state I live in, so I have no difficulty accessing it. Best wishes and hope that you find what works for you.

For Glinda47: I know how you feel!! My doctor gave me a short term prescription for a “”sleeping pill” and it gave me horrible nightmares! No more sleeping pills for me!
So I thought I would try a “natural” remedy, Melatonin.
Took it at bedtime with a half of my pain pill and I was sleepwalking into walls on the way to the bathroom! Which is why I no longer use melatonin.! When I take a pain pill at bedtime, this sometimes helps me sleep. Or I will do some reading or put on a movie— that works for me and I have a huge movie collection. Physical relations usually works too if I’m not having pain! 😍