Symptoms after you stop prednisone

Posted by ejhagerman @ejhagerman, Jun 16, 2024

I was diagnosed with PMR in April, 2023 and prescribed 15 mg of prednisone tapering monthly until completely off by May, 2024. Understandably, my previous osteoarthritis symptoms and pain returned in my knees and lower back. Over the last year, I presume that the prednisone masked that pain. However, when I tapered to 1 mg, my hand joints swelled (which is new), I have a trigger middle finger in my right hand, and I experience some discomfort in my shoulders in the morning. In June, 2024, I had blood work and my Sed Rate and C Reactive Protein results were in the normal range. Has anyone else experienced hand swelling after tapering off prednisone or other new symptoms (not reflected in your lab results)? When are these new symptoms concerning and how did you treat them?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

rubonimo | @rubonimo | Feb 24 12:39pm

I do not know if I have PMR . I was looking for an opinion on my original post

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 24 1:56pm

In reply to @rubonimo "I do not know if I have PMR . I was looking for an opinion on..." + (show)

Have you seen a rheumatologist? or other specialist? Does the prednisone provide any pain relief?

rubonimo | @rubonimo | Feb 24 4:01pm

The Rheumatologist I see said to wean off the prednisone. It does not stop the pain. Does PMR show up in a blood test. He never mentioned it or said he would test for it. I have a feeling that you may be on to something I did not know.

rubonimo | @rubonimo | Feb 24 4:04pm

By the way, what’s the treatment for PMR?

ropnrose | @ropnrose | Feb 25 12:29pm

In reply to @rubonimo "The Rheumatologist I see said to wean off the prednisone. It does not stop the pain...." + (show)

When I started having GCA and PMR symptoms last July 2024, my primary ordered ESR and CRP blood tests to check my inflammatory markers. They were very high, so I was immediately put on 60 mg. of pred a day for the GCA. Between my symptoms and the blood work, it was determined that I had both GCA and PMR.

Ask your rheumatologist to order blood work to check your inflammatory markers. My primary got me into a rheumatologist immediately. She is pretty proactive in ordering blood work. I would have no issue asking her to order something, if I think I needed to check my status.

ropnrose | @ropnrose | Feb 25 12:35pm

In reply to @rubonimo "By the way, what’s the treatment for PMR?" + (show)

I started on 60 mg. of Prednisone, since it was presumed that I also had GCA. I was able to taper down to 8 mg. in early December but had a flare, so I went back to 13. I decided that I did not want to spend years on Prednisone, due to the wretched side effects. I asked my rheumatologist to order Actemra infusions. Others in this forum have had good success with both Actemra and Kevzara, in eliminating Prednisone. I had my second infusion last week. I started feeling better 2 weeks after the first one, 5 weeks ago. My taper is down to 10 mg for 2 weeks, then 9 for two weeks, etc.

What I have found with this journey, is that you need to advocate for yourself with your doctors. This forum has lots of good information, that people are willing to share about their journeys. Don't hesitate to ask questions. You'll get answers.