1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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Symptoms after you stop prednisone

Posted by ejhagerman @ejhagerman, Jun 16, 2024

I was diagnosed with PMR in April, 2023 and prescribed 15 mg of prednisone tapering monthly until completely off by May, 2024. Understandably, my previous osteoarthritis symptoms and pain returned in my knees and lower back. Over the last year, I presume that the prednisone masked that pain. However, when I tapered to 1 mg, my hand joints swelled (which is new), I have a trigger middle finger in my right hand, and I experience some discomfort in my shoulders in the morning. In June, 2024, I had blood work and my Sed Rate and C Reactive Protein results were in the normal range. Has anyone else experienced hand swelling after tapering off prednisone or other new symptoms (not reflected in your lab results)? When are these new symptoms concerning and how did you treat them?

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martha13 | @martha13 | 4 days ago
In reply to @dadcue "@eby I used to taper my Prednisone dose based on how stiff and sore that my..." + (show)
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@eby

I used to taper my Prednisone dose based on how stiff and sore that my hands were every morning when I woke up. I suspect many people have these symptoms. Whether or not stiff fingers is the best reason to adjust your Prednisone dose is debatable. However, I needed my hands to work in order to do my duties as a nurse, I couldn't do anything without my hands.

Until a tendon that connected my thumb spontaneously ruptured when I pushed a button on an IV pump it didn't occur to me that Prednisone might be the problem. The work related "injury" from pushing the button on the IV pump was disputed by my employer. They said the tendon rupture was caused by all the Prednisone I was taking at the time of injury. They said it was only a coincidence that the tendon ruptured at work.

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@dadcue
I also had a spontaneous rupture of the peronius longus/brevis tendon in my ankle whilst on prednisone.
I have been on prednisone for 3.5 years at that stage. I immediately started tapering and stopped by October 2024 after a neck operation to make sure that I have bone forming. (The opp was not due to PMR).

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | 4 days ago
In reply to @naveiraps "I tried it and no relief for me my doctor put me on a pain killer..." + (show)
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I tried it and no relief for me my doctor put me on a pain killer for now but it doesn’t take away the numbness feeling

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@naveiraps
Are you sure it was Tyl for ARTHRITIS , and not one of the other Tylenols?

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naveiraps | @naveiraps | 4 days ago

I bought both the arthritis one and the other one didn’t help

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naveiraps | @naveiraps | 4 days ago

The only thing that really helps is ice

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Mike | @dadcue | 4 days ago
In reply to @martha13 "I stopped Prednisone a year ago. I still have symptoms, although not as severe as before...." + (show)
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I stopped Prednisone a year ago. I still have symptoms, although not as severe as before. I have 5 trigger fingers in total, as well as pain in my feet. My tendons are definitely affected.

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@martha13
I used to get trigger fingers that would get stuck at work at the hospital. I was familiar with the orthopedic inpatient area of the hospital. I got strange looks from the ortho doctors on the orthopedic unit every time I went there to get a trigger finger released so I could go back to work.

I even went to the orthopedic inpatient unit at the hospital when the tendon to my thumb ruptured while at work. I asked if it was some kind of stroke or something because my thumb suddenly went limp. The ortho doctors recognized me because of all the trigger fingers they had released for me. They couldn't fix my thumb but they said I needed a hand surgeon as soon as possible.

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aisp3b | @aisp3b | 4 days ago
In reply to @eby "I started on Prednisone June 2024 15 mg now down to 3 mg which I decreased..." + (show)
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I started on Prednisone June 2024 15 mg now down to 3 mg which I decreased from 4mg ( after two months ) on Oct 1,2025 Woke up yesterday and worse today with pain in left hand palm , fingers stiff... took paracetamol this morning . seems to be easing a bit. anyone else experienced this ? I will e-mail my doctor shortly. i really do not want to up dose again.

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@eby Try extra strength Thylenol instead of upping the pred. Works for me. I've been doing that each time I derease my pred dose and it is helping a lot.

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54pontiac | @54pontiac | 3 days ago

The new symptom for me after tapering off prednisone for a couple of months was gelling. That’s when you get up after being still for while (sitting at dinner or in front of the tv, standing at a protest, sleeping all night, riding in the car), it feels like the PMR is back, but then it dissipates and I feel pretty good again. I don’t want to go back on the prednisone as the rheumatologist recommended, because of the loss of bone, skin, and sleep. I’ve been taking ibuprofen twice a day, but it’s not get better. I may try some other over the counter regimens. I do take turmeric and eat sanely, drink very little alcohol. I notice it if I miss a dose of ibuprofen.

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | 2 days ago
In reply to @54pontiac "The new symptom for me after tapering off prednisone for a couple of months was gelling...." + (show)
Profile picture for 54pontiac @54pontiac

The new symptom for me after tapering off prednisone for a couple of months was gelling. That’s when you get up after being still for while (sitting at dinner or in front of the tv, standing at a protest, sleeping all night, riding in the car), it feels like the PMR is back, but then it dissipates and I feel pretty good again. I don’t want to go back on the prednisone as the rheumatologist recommended, because of the loss of bone, skin, and sleep. I’ve been taking ibuprofen twice a day, but it’s not get better. I may try some other over the counter regimens. I do take turmeric and eat sanely, drink very little alcohol. I notice it if I miss a dose of ibuprofen.

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@54pontiac
Try Tylenol for Arthritis

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54pontiac | @54pontiac | 2 days ago
In reply to @tweetypie13 "@54pontiac Try Tylenol for Arthritis" + (show)
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@54pontiac
Try Tylenol for Arthritis

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@tweetypie13 Yes, Tylenol has done nothing for me in the past, but things may have changed. Thanks!

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thereselefever | @thereselefever | 2 days ago
In reply to @54pontiac "@tweetypie13 Yes, Tylenol has done nothing for me in the past, but things may have changed...." + (show)
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@tweetypie13 Yes, Tylenol has done nothing for me in the past, but things may have changed. Thanks!

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@54pontiac You need to buy the one specifically for arthritis. It does help usually.
Therese

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