Weaning off of all medicine - prednisone and methotrexate

I was diagnosed 2yr ago. I'm now down to 2.5 pred every other day and 8little methotrexate weekly. My osteoarthritis is worse. I'm skeptical of traditional medicine. That's what caught my eye in your post. I somehow bumped into a website about DMSO. I don't suppose you heard of it because medical schools won't touch it. I started using it in a creme form a week ago with huge benefit to my knee. It's a huge topic and worthy of being looked into. I wonder if it will enable me to quit the pred and meth. I certainly hope so but more importantly think I might avoid a knee replacement. It's that amazing.

It's nice to read this. I am 57 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. I initially started on 20mg of prednisone and got down to 1mg in the first year. The following 2 years have been continual flare ups and I am now on 5mg and struggling to get lower. My consultant has suggested methotrexate, but I was put off by the side effects particularly hair loss. I understand you can't stay on prednisone for ever and this is an option to come off it so feel I have no choice, but good to read a write up that has worked 🙂

Hello @amandasmith007, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you are struggling getting off of prednisone but I don't think you are alone. My first time with PMR took 3-1/2 years to taper off with the last six months going back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg until I could finally taper off. There is another discussion that might be interesting if not helpful:
-- If you have tapering problems below 5 mg this might explain why.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/if-you-have-tapering-problems-below-5-mg-this-might-explain-why/
There are also quite a few other discussions on methotrexate that you might find helpful. Here's a link that shows other member discussions and comments on methotrexate - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=methotrexate+for+PMR.

I have been with PMR for 5 years and we started tapering off the medications (Prednisone and Methotrexate) but it is not working. It looks like I have a flare up again. Any suggestions are well received.

How fast. Is taper? What % drop, and hold at that for how long?
Supplement with Tylenol for arthritis, 2 in morning, and 2 at bedtime if need be.

Have you tried Kevzara? It can take several months to take effect, but it works very well for some people. I take a similar drug, Actemra, and I'm completely off prednisone and don't have any symptoms of PMR or GCA.

PS: ditto, ask Dr Abt Kevzara. I’ve been successful with it.

From 5 milligrams every day to 5 milligrams every other day.

After 5 years of Prednisone with relapses there is more than enough justification to try a biologic. Kevzara is the logical choice for PMR alone. If GCA or vasculitis is involved, maybe Actemra is now the best alternative to Prednisone. There's even more justification to try a biologic if methotrexate doesn't work. Regardless of what you try next ... you will still need to continue prednisone until an alternative is found. Research and medical guidelines support a gradual tapering approach of Prednisone to allow the body's adrenal glands to recover, especially after long-term use.

Other than a slow and gradual taper of Prednisone, there is no evidence based taper plan that works the best for everyone.

Did your Dr give you any advice?
Maybe methotrexate is not the correct biologic for you.
Maybe another like Kevzara might work.

Are you pain free?
How long have you been at 5 mg?
My PERSONAL experience is 2 weeks pain free before taper……