Hi Judy @peanuts1, I see you have been a member for awhile but this is your first post. I would like to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect and thank you for sharing your symptoms and treatments. Interesting that your doctor would tell you that you will never get off of prednisone. Is your doctor a rheumatologist? I was first diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) in 2007 and placed on 20 mg prednisone dosage. It took me 3 years before I was able to taper off of prednisone with minimal pain. My PMR stayed in remission for 6 years before coming back in 2016. Again I started on 20 mg prednisone but was able to taper off in about a year and a half when my PMR went into remission again. I also have carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands but It doesn't cause me much pain so far.

I also have thin skin and bruise easily which I mostly attribute to my old age (75). I do have thin bones (osteoperosis) which I think is a side effect of the prednisone. Mayo Clinic has some information on thin skin here:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/thin-skin/faq-20057753

You mentioned that your pain is mostly under control except you have some pain in your right arm and the doctor thought it was carpal tunnel syndrome. This site might help explain it and offer some possible insight.
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/

Have you discussed trying to taper off prednisone with your doctor? That was the number one goal given to me by my rheumatologist even though he mentioned some people may never be able to completely taper off of prednisone.

John

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