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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 @suemck, Welcome to Connect. I had trouble tapering off of prednisone for both occurrences I had with PMR. I cut my 1mg tablets in half and went down by 1/2mg when I was still having pain issues with the PMR. I did live with a little pain, maybe 1-2 on a scale of 1 to 10 which helped me finally taper off. The first occurrence took my 3 years to taper off. The second time I was able to taper off in about 1-1/2 years.
I have no medical background or training but I do have similar symptoms with my hands. I was diagnosed with severe carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. When diagnosed I was told they could do surgery or try a shot. I think that was 2+ years ago. I had the shot but it really didn't help. Now I'm having the symptom your are having not being able to straighten my hands in the morning...mostly the middle finger on my right hand. I'm thinking this may be Dupuytren's Contracture but I haven't been to the doctor yet to find out. I have my regular checkup in March so will be discussing options with my doctor if it is indeed the issue.
Don't give up on the tapering. You just have to take it one day at a time. Have you made any changes in your diet to help? Here's some ideas.
Medical News Today - What to eat if you have polymyalgia rheumatica
-- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321683
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Thank you John for the welcome! Also, thank you for sharing with me how you taper down. I have heard of Dupuytrens Contracture from friends and I think surgery corrects that. I feel like my pain is at about a 7 on a scale of 1-10 when I have to take 7mgs, which kind of frustrates me as it so hard to get through the day doing simple tasks that seem to me like it takes forever. Before I got PMR I ran 9 miles 3 times a week and did weight lifting for my arm. Tried to maintain exercise since I have been on Prednisone, but when I got down to 5mgs for 5 days in October, I had a terrible flare up with sciatic pain and could hardly walk. So now I do the elliptical 3 times a week for 35 minutes because everything else I try to do makes my back hurt and the sciatic pain always returns. Want to do so much more, but can't. Much luck with your doctors appt in March and hope your hand problem will get resolved. Thank you again for your response and all your valuable information.