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Normal response after 5 days on prednisone?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 7 3:53pm | Replies (19)
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@debbiebas216

Thank you. Being new at this, I have many concerns and questions and certainly appreciate and value the feedback.
I am keeping a diary.
Do you have pain in the morning before your meds? The doc was concerned that my pain level wasn’t already at
80-90% throughout the day (including mornings) after 5 days so that’s why she said try 20mg for 3 days after the 15mg didn’t seem to bring the effect she (and I) hoped for. I just wasn’t sure if my pain in the morning was “normal” (I take my meds around 8:00). My pain level was good after 12-1:00.
It’s a good suggestion re different med strengths. I will ask for other dosages but I think she wants to confirm PMR first?

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Replies to "Thank you. Being new at this, I have many concerns and questions and certainly appreciate and..."
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 5 5:40pm

When I was initially diagnosed with PMR at Mayo Rochester, my rheumatologist prescribed 20mg prednisone as my starting dose. My pain level at the time was about 7 to 9 on my scale of 0 to 10. The appointment was in the morning and also had a follow up with him at 3pm the same day. We picked up the prednisone at the pharmacy and I took my first dose at noon with lunch and by 3pm my pain was almost all gone (less than 1). I was still stiff and a little achy but so much better than in the morning. When I started tapering, if my level of pain was greater than a 2, I didn't taper and sometimes depending on the amount of pain, I increased the dose to half of my previous amount that I tapered down.

I understand the doctor wanting to confirm PMR since there are quite a few different conditions that mimic PMR and the quick way doctors diagnose PMR is seeing if you respond to a starting dose of prednisone (in my non medical opinion). Here's some more info on the conditions that mimic PMR - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/diseases-that-mimic-polymyalgia-rheumatica.

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