Anyone have discomfort or pain when tapering off prednisone?

Every morning I have hip, back an some neck pain.
I’m on 5mgs of prednisone an 20mgs of methotrexate.
I also take Tylenol daily. I’m not sure what is working..

My original diagnosis was GCA inflammation of large arteries, 123 ESR ,subsequently I had a serious flare, 140 sed ratePMR just finished a year of prednisone, in considerable pain still.
If you have one of these issues the other can follow.
GCA can also affect the heart if inflammation of aorta and referral arteries occurs.

MIne just upped me from 8 mg back to 9 mg to see if the pain will reduce. I am so disappoointed. But I start out my day first thing with a strong cup of coffee and an extra strength Tylenol right away and it really helps smooth things over.

I just dropped from ten to nine. My hips and shoulders are fine. My back( osteoarthritis, chronic pain, two surgeries) is horrendous.

I started last October at 20mg and have tapered down the last few months by 1/mg per month. I’m in my last month on prednisone (1mg/day) and starting to feel my old issues not related to PMR. The prednisone masked all my non PMR pain. 😞
I don’t think any of the pains are PMR related.

I followed the same regimen with the same result. The Doctor suggested I go back to 5mg per month. I went back to 3mg, then by month to 2, then 1 and finally to 1/2. It worked. After three years and the Ponticelli Protocol of 2200mg per month for three out of six months, alternating with a chemo drug for treatment of kidney failure, I was finally free from both Prednisone and kidney problems - at least for the past three months.

I have cranial GCA and PMR. I take weekly Actemra injections, and I just finished prednisone after almost 14 months of treatment. I haven't had any pain or other symptoms since I started treatment. Have you considered Actemra?

Have you tried supplementing with 8 hr arthritis strength Tylenol? Or other pain mitigators? I found that each step off prednisone brought back the pain in my hips and neck, particularly. I also used some CBD salve. After a few days at the reduced doses I didn’t need as much Tylenol nor salve. I reduced by 1/4 mgs. so very gradually, and even when off completely had to use the crutch of supplements for the following week. It’s a highly addictive substance! Now to avoid a relapse I am strict about keeping my added sugars below 25 mgs. and avoiding refined flour. Best of luck!

Thank you so much. Yes I start my morning with a strong mug of coffee plus an extra strength Tylenol. It really helps.I didn’t know there was an arthritis blend, will look for it. I also use an enhanced Arnica cream on my upper arms which really helps. My upper arms and shoulders are what hurts. CBD rub has totally no effect on me, just as the two joints I was persuaded to smoke by a girlfriend years ago had zero effect. And yes I am keeping the glucose below 100and am nearly gluten free (still working on it). Patience not being my virtue, this is a somewhat trying time. Thanks for your support!

I know the drill, and patience is not one of my virtues either.
I will check out the arthritis blend as well, and I to have the serious shoulder, arm, neck pain and low back.
Last night I gave up sleeping at midnight and got and rubbed heavily with Voltaren. It helped, but you can’t use it indefinitely.
Friend brought me CBD cream as well, but made no difference.