PMR - Decreased prednisone and pain returned

@pdxmac
My rheumatologist told me yesterday that if bilateral pain returns while tapering, that is a sign the PMR is not under control but if the pain returns to just one shoulder that is a sign the PMR is under control but some other condition is at work, perhaps osteoarthritis. I am an 83 year old male currently on Kevzara and 10 mg a day of prednisone and the pain I now experience in the right shoulder, hips and spine are osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis, not PMR. 1000 mg of acetaminophen in the morning helps control that pain.

@cwbf thank you for sharing this!
My PT appointment yesterday was very helpful, and I'm hoping in a few weeks the shoulder pain will be behind me. Did your rheumatologist say anything about bilateral stiffness as opposed to pain? What I'm feeling these days is just stiffness and fatigue, so I'm hoping that just means the adrenals are slow to wake.

I need advice from readers. I have been off prednisone for 6 months. I am in a lot of shoulder pain. Too old for surgery. My rheumatologist said to go back to 5mg prednisone and then stop. I hesitate to do that as it is so hard to get off it. Just accept the pain which is ruining my life?

@pdxmac
We only discussed pain. We did not discuss stiffness, of which I too have plenty. My guess is that stiffness is not related to PMR.

@marymckeith your adrenal glands should be working by now. I would have the testing done since your off prednisone. I would do that before I would just start up prednisone again. If your adrenals are working then why go back. Prednisone is a drug designed to treat inflammation. It can make many types of diseases feel better. But I would say the last drug you want to get stuck on. There are many drugs for pain or RA. Maybe a cortisone shot in the shoulder. My mother is 94. she just had a procedure for spinal stenosis. Crippling pain but she is back walking every day.

@tuckerp I have had many cortisone shots and they balk at giving me more. Meanwhile I am suffering. I really hate to go back on Prednisone. I am so tired of being told to go to physical therapy or blithely being told to have surgery which my primary doctor won’t agree to. You would think there would be something intermediate they could do. My rheumatologist also suggested going to a pain doctor but I have friends who tried that and gave it up. I have tried biologics for RA too and nothing seems to work for me. However, I agree with you that starting prednisone is a risky move. I may go back once more to my orthopedist to see if he has anything to suggest. Thank you.

@marymckeith I wish I could say anything that would help. Your the one that has to walk in your shoes. I have a bad taste about prednisone because my wife had GBM. They prescribed dexamethasone like it was candy to reduce inflammation. I think they knew she wouldnt make it so whats the difference. Let her be comfortable. I hear some of these biologics can take 3-6months to start working, I have seen many try and fail with Methotrexate, LDN. There are many drugs that might work and might take longer to work. But in the end, you have to decide for yourself and what works for you. Good Luck.

Thanks formyou

Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it and I will have to decide. The biologics had serious side effects and methotrexate did nothing. I had wonderful health most of my life but I feel as though I am paying a price for it now. Thanks again.