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What to expect in the first weeks of PMR do?
Hi Everyone…new here, and one week into my PMR dx and 10mg of Prednisone.
Initially, a few days after taking rx, I felt a little relief, perhaps psychological. But yesterday and today, very sore. My symptoms are predominantly in my pelvic cradle. Although, over the past week, my wrists are feeling it and a little in my shoulders.
Another item is my left knee. About a month from my PMR dx, I had completed by third gel shot. Since my dx, my left knee is really painful, to the point that when I first get out of bed and I can hardly stand on it. Swollen.
Funny thing is, I go to bed fine but wake up in pain.
What should I expect in the first few weeks/months of dx?
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I was started at 20 mg with no relief. My rheumatologist boosted it to 50 mg. Within 36 hours my pain was gone and movement restored.
I am taking Kevzara now. I am trying to get off of prednisone but anytime I drop below 10 mg my blood pressure tanks and I feel like I am going to pass out when I stand.
I am seeing the endocrinologist next week.
@whelchel Hi. I wish you the best and soon.
I was diagnosed with PMR on 11/12/25. (Male, age 68)
My doctor put me on 20mg Prednisone in the morning and 20mg in the evening.
I have always been an 8 hour night sleeper but now I’m lucky if I sleep 3 hours. My doctor prescribed sleeping pills (Temazepam 15 mg, which didn’t work for me, so he increased the dosage to 30mg) and now I sleep 7 hours but wake up in a fog for half of the day.
I don’t like taking Predisone in the evening because it prevents me from sleeping. Research I’ve done emphasizes that 8 hours of sleep is important for we who have PMR. I reduced my evening dosage of Prednisone to 15mg. (doctor approved) hoping that would help but only sleeping pills help me. I wish I wasn’t taking Prednisone in the evening. Everybody is different though. Do what you must. Best wishes.
10 mg is a VERY LOW starter dose for PNR. I believe the normal is 15-25 mg. I was started at 20 and pain was totally gone after first dose.
I was also started on 10mg (I believe the dosage may be weight related--I weigh 125) and it did take longer to gain complete relief, but that was achieved after 3-4 weeks. I can't imagine taking prednisone at night and I question that requirement from the doctor. I, too, was always a heavy 8-hour sleeper and taking 10mg in the morning interfered greatly with my sleep. Only now, almost a year after tapering off prednisone, am I sleeping through the night.