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How to address PMR pain while decreasing prednisone
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 6, 2023 | Replies (747)Comment receiving replies
Hi all, I was just diagnosed with PMR and Temporal Arteritis (TA) today. I was diagnosed with SLE (Lupus) several years ago, which went into remission. I thought I was experiencing a Lupus flare, but no, this is a brand new autoimmune disease. Ugh! I'm taking prednisone right now, but have been managing the pain with plaquenil (my GP also thought it was a Lupus flare). I have only a few symptoms related to the TA, and they're infrequent. I hate the idea of having to take prednisone long(ish) term, meaning more than a month or so, but the risk of a problem if I don't take it - blindness - is scary! I'd like to know if anyone else here has it and what their experience has been. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Replies to "Hi all, I was just diagnosed with PMR and Temporal Arteritis (TA) today. I was diagnosed..."
@evelyn123 - Hi - I am Tinkerbell and was diagnosed with Temporal Arteritis - It is also know as Giant Cell Arteritis. I had my temporal biopsy on 3 May 2017 at Mayo Clinic. I was started on 60 mg of Prednisone 1 and 1/2 years ago. I took my last pill yesterday (1/2mg). It has been a long road and I have gained 12 lb. Otherwise, I have done very well. I am hoping that I will be okay but there is the chance I may have to go back on the Prednisone depending on the symptoms. Once I started on the Prednisone the headache was gone by that evening. The biopsy was done 1 day after my emergency room visit. I also have other autoimmune diseases - hypothyroid and rosacea. If you have any question just get back to me.
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Hi @evelyn123, welcome to Connect. I also have PMR but it is currently in remission. It's different with each of us. I have had 2 occurances of PMR. The first took me about 3 years to taper off of prednisone. The second occurrence took me about a year and a half to taper off of prednisone. I started both occurrences at 20 mg dosage. One of the things I think that helps is to keep doing some exercises but not overdoing it. Also, I would work with your rheumatologist or doctor on a tapering plan to help you taper off of prednisone.
John