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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Oct 20 10:00am | Replies (29)
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I think I need to slow down the tapering. I am so anxious to get off the prednisone! My SED was never checked but my last CRP was back down to 2.2. So I figured it was ok to try to taper faster. I am wondering though why the SED rate was not checked. Is it as important in the diagnosis as the CRP?
Replies to "I think I need to slow down the tapering. I am so anxious to get off..."
My CRP was normal but my sed rate was high at the time of diagnosis. Only once during a mini-flare was my CRP high, otherwise it is always normal as my sed rate has gone up and down. So yes, I think it is important to check both regularly. Or at least my rheumy thinks so.
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My rheumy relied on the SED to decide that PMR was in remission. At that point I was on 10 of prednisone. She announced that we were no longer treating PMR. Thinking back, this was her way of saying that we are not going to be adjusting the P dose just because you might have some pain because it is not PMR pain. She then issued the remaining taper plan…down 1 per month until 5, then down 0.5 per month.
I realized that this was going to be a 15-month exercise, so I specifically asked if I could go faster if I felt ok. Her answer was an emphatic NO !
It seems to be working, and my adrenals seem to be adjusting to the changes and producing adequate cortisol as the taper continues. Otherwise I would be having symptoms of adrenal insufficiency/prednisone withdrawal, which I am not.
Good luck. Having some seems to be necessary.