Connect
← Return to Successfully treated for Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Discussion
Successfully treated for Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 9, 2023 | Replies (101)Comment receiving replies
Well unfortunately I've had a relapse and I am back to 15mg of prednisone per day. I had been doing fairly well most of the summer, tapered down to 7.5mg, but started having symptoms of PMR late September. However, this time it is primarily in my hip/pelvic girdle, not upper back and shoulders. I noticed it initially while getting out of my car or walking up a flight of stairs. Didn't think too much about it, but everyday the pain intensified and was interrupting my sleep. My Rheumatologist recommended the increase in dosage; however, it did not help ease the pain while sleeping. For that he prescribed Tramadol, which I take before going to sleep. It does help with my sleep, but I am concerned with the long term effects.
I will confess I stopped taking CoQ10 and cherry juice concentrate. Don't ask me why, I do not have a good answer. I was doing very well while taking these supplements.
Today I am resuming my daily supplement of Ubiquinol CoQd10, cherry juice concentrate as well as turmeric. Hopefully I'll see positive results just as I did earlier this year.
I've been off line for most of the summer and hope John, Roland and the rest are doing well with their respective treatments.
Replies to "Well unfortunately I've had a relapse and I am back to 15mg of prednisone per day...."
Hello @mach92, Sorry to hear of the relapse also. Thank you for the reminder of the cherry juice concentrate. I also was taking it for awhile and stopped for no reason. I still take the CoQ10 supplement along with some others for my PN. I'm currently at 3 mg prednisone for my PMR but have been on that dosage for about a month so I'm planning to switch to 2-1/2 mg dosage tomorrow and see how that goes. I also have some sharp pains at the top of my leg joint from about 3 weeks ago when I think I pulled a muscle or ligament while trying to push my tractor snowblower that was on a dolly up an incline to get it ready to be picked up for service. Dumb idea on my part. The joint hurts when I try to roll over in bed and going up stairs, getting in/out of the car similar to yours.
@rolandhp, glad to hear your PMR is being held at bay. Don't be skeptical! We can beat this beast. Just keep taking it one day at a time, do what you can and unlike me - know your limitations ☺
Hoping for a pain free weekend for all.
John
@johnbishop..best of luck with your dosage reduction. I most likely started to reduce too soon and too fast.
@rolandhp...yes, it does feel like I'm starting all over. It was two years last month that I was diagnosed with PMR....hard to believe. Got down to 2.5mg last March, but had a major relapse ironically while visiting the Rochester Mayo Clinic. Felt pretty good most of the summer on 10mg, but this recent relapse caught me off guard. I'll taper much slower this time....1/2-1mg per month.
My first occurrence of PMR was in 2007 and lasted 3 years. I think I did what you did and tried to go down to fast. The last 6 months of the 3rd year was going up and down between 2 and 1 and then 1 and 1/2 mg dosage. Hope you are getting close to putting it into remission.
Connect
Very sorry to hear the you have had a relapse, hopefully the pred. will help you stabilize the PMR. Its probably like starting all over again but at least you now know what it's all about & it's probably easier to deal with the problem. Myself I am still on 10 mg/day & it has kept my PMR problem in check I would like to start decreasing my dosage but am very skeptical about doing so & now hearing about your relapse I am doubly skeptical but eventually I will have to. I went through the night time pain & I do not want to experience that again. Hang in there & please keep in touch & let us all know how your latest treatment is going.