Prednisone

Hi. I think I got PMR after having an infection when I got the first COVID vaccine in 2020. I gradually got severe joint pain and very bad morning stiffness- that lasted at least until 16.00.. I could barely walk and I was used to exercise 5-6 days a week. My then GP prescribed Prednisolon 20 mg and after 2 hours the pain was much better. As I’m a registered nurse, that for me confirmed the condition. I have since tried to slowly reduce the dosage, I’ve been down to 5 mg and then have terrible flair ups and have to start over again. Lately I’ve been accused of being a prednisone addict by doctors and also a rheumatologist. That’s really makes me sad and I question their knowledge about this disease. But when I have the horrible pain I don’t know how to manage the pain besides use prednisone and the pain makes me so desperate that I get suicidal. I function best at 15 mg and can then have an okay life quality. I’m aware of the prednisone different side effects. I have read about different tapering methods and think at least I need to decrease every 3 months, but my current doctors will probably not accept that. What to do?? Inga