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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 3 hours ago | Replies (22)
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This large retrospective study made me a lot less worried about prednisone, which I absolutely must use or I have no life.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28704600/
In 5 years we will all be 5 years older. Some of us will develop diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or hip, vertebral, or Colles fractures, regardless of prednisone use. That's what it says to me.
They also give stats on how long and how much prednisone people are actually needing.
This may never be over for me. Started on 20 mg, split and have flared constantly on the way down to 3mg. My CRP is just going up, now at 30. Only problem I had over 10mg was thin fragile skin. I have lost 10% of my body weight, not gained.
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This study has many flaws so it isn't very credible. In any case, there are hundreds of studies which come to a different conclusion. You need to evaluate the entire body of research and come to your own conclusions and not rely on one study.
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"I absolutely must use or I have no life."
This part I completely understand and I came to the same conclusion when I decided to take prednisone in the "short term."
In the "long term" --- I decided the side effects of prednisone weren't worth it. A ton of research says the "long term" risks of prednisone are substantial. The problem is the body becomes dependent on us taking prednisone because it replaces the cortisol our bodies normally produce. I was unable to stop Prednisone even when I experienced all the side effects.
We all have to come to our own conclusions. If Prednisone works for you -- I'm happy.