Stop taking steroids

Sorry to hear about your additional back pain.
I agree. You must taper very slowly. I went from 10 mg to 1 mg over 8 months. Reduce 1mg every 3 weeks, and if you get more pain go back up 1 mg for a couple more weeks. It’s a slow process. You are trying to keep the inflammation and pain down while reducing the Prednisone. Good luck patience is needed.

Thanks . I’ve been on 7.5 for three weeks . I was told reduce by 1mg every three weeks

I ended up taking 2mgs and it helped. I still had pain but it was bearable. I wrote my doctor and of course, she is out of the office. Supposedly someone else will review my message, Thanks again. Merry Christmas!

I agree, slowly tapering is so important. It took me two years to get to 2 mg, and another year to get to 0. I still take 1 mg. as needed.
My rheumatologist told me I may need to take 2mg a day for the next 20-30 years. He believes that would be safer than taking OTC medication.

Great news. I know this up and down is tough but at least this is one condition that is not fatal and can be managed. Good luck
Merry Christmas and/ or happy holidays.

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too! I didn't take any yesterday, but I sure will today. Please enjoy your holidays!

I'm curious as to why your doctor thinks prednisone is safer than OTC pain medication? I would think the side effects would argue against that.

Remember this is an auto immune system condition. I believe prednisone addresses that whereas a pain killer just does that and no more it masques the pain.
I may be wrong so check with your Dr.

Please read about the side effects of IBUprofen..... it destroys red blood cells faster than your body can make them. I was take Ibuprofen for several weeks for a knww problem and I became anemic. Check out the other pain killers as well. They are all harmful.

I did not know that. However, I did not notice side effects from ibuprofen and it did little to affect my PMR symptoms. Prednisone had noticeable effects on my bones and skin and hair, but knocked out the PMR like a champ. I do not want to stay on it any longer than necessary.