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Wrist and finger pain while tapering prednisone
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 25 11:36am | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
My PMR attacked my hips and shoulders, however after taking 20mg of prednisone all symptoms went away. I then cut down to 15 mg still without any symptoms. Then I got to 8 mg and my PMR came roaring back, attacking my hips and wrists, but not my shoulders. The wrist pain was the worst, like others said I can hardly function until around 2 when it goes away. I'm going on a cruise, so I've gone back up to 15 mg in hopes my symptoms will disappear long enough for me to enjoy the cruise. I'm using the Voleren which helps and a paraffin therabath. They both help. After I finish traveling, I'll start cutting back but much slower. I've got to get off Prednisone. Appreciate all the comments .
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@murphy2370
I can relate to everything especially how PMR roared back when I reached 7 mg of Prednisone. It might vary by a mg or two but I'm now convinced those "flares" were caused by adrenal insufficiency when I reached the physiological dose of Prednisone relative to the amount of cortisol the body needs to regulate inflammation.
I still have hand and wrist discomfort and occasional "hand spasms." I don't know why this happens but I had a spontaneous rupture of a tendon connecting my thumb when I was on Prednisone. I also had many trigger fingers along with other hand problems while on Prednisone. I don't get those trigger fingers anymore but my hands are still sore but not like they were when I took prednisone. My rheumatologist says it is arthritis.
I'm off Prednisone now because a biologic allowed me to taper off Prednisone. The biologic controlled PMR as I decreased my Prednisone dose below the "physiological dose" relative to cortisol. I can go on and on about adrenal insufficiency from long term Prednisone use but the following link describes what happens.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12378006/
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Coincidentally, I just finished a 20 day cruise to Australia which included a week in Hawaii and and a week in Sydney, Australia. I took some Prednisone with me but I didn't need any, I just had to get back home in time for my next infusion of Actemra.