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Normal response after 5 days on prednisone?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 7 3:53pm | Replies (19)Comment receiving replies
I am an example of someone who needed a much higher dose than the usual to find relief. I started at 15 mg, then worked my way up to 40 mg before I felt significantly better. I saw a rheumatologist ten days after my PCP diagnosed me, and she confirmed that it was PMR. Tapering from such a high dose has been difficult, and I’ve had to backtrack a few times. After nine months I am now at 9 mg but sed rate is creeping up and I think I might be told to increase prednisone once again. I do have severe osteoarthritis, which tends to muddy things. I agree with others about always consulting your rheumatologist before making a change, although at times I have pushed back and she usually gives her approval. Treating this disease is very difficult as often there is no clear path. Good luck to you.
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Thank you. I did speak with my rheumy today. I was originally at 15mg but she upped me to 20mg for another 2 weeks (because of the am soreness) then will taper back to 15 mg for 6 days until I see her next. She’s sending me for X-rays (hip, knees, shoulder) and a sono of my shoulders just in case arthritis maybe complicating the diagnosis. As you may have seen I’m still a little sore in the am before taking the dose. She said I should be feeling total relief even in the morning but when addressed that another PMR patient split her/his dose she said I can take the main dose in the am and a smaller dose at dinner time but don’t think she’s calling in a smaller dose (I’m not comfortable cutting the 10mg up). I’m trying to be patient so will address it again (and ask for 1 mg pills) when I meet with her next if I’m not better in the am. Again, thanks for your input. Everyone sharing their experiences have been so helpful.
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I'm another person that worked up to a starting dose of 40 mg after being diagnosed with PMR. My rheumatologist diagnosed me and she recommended starting at 25 mg but instructed me to "find a stable dose that worked." I worked my dose up to 40 mg. I didn't want to take prednisone very long so I quickly tapered down to 30 mg.
At my next visit, I told my rheumatologist that 30 mg was working "reasonably well." My inflammation markers were checked before my rheumatology visit. My rheumatologist looked at my labs and seemed surprised. She said my inflammation markers were still high on 30 mg and told me to increase my dose back to 35 mg and start there.
The rest of that visit was about how to taper off Prednisone. I had plans to take Prednisone for a "month or two" . My rheumatologist said I needed to plan on taking Prednisone for a "year or two" and maybe longer. It turned out to be much longer... closer to 12 years.
After 12 years and many relapses, my rheumatologist said my case of PMR was "complicated." When a biologic called Actemra was started, then it only took me a year to taper off Prednisone.