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prednisone
I convinced my rheumatologist to let me start at 1 mg instead of the standard 20. I'd had a bad experience before with 5 and didn't want to take it at all but both shoulders had become totally non-functional. Every week I took another 1 mg. I started getting real relief at 4 and complete relief at 8. I stayed there for about six months then tapered off 1/2 mg every 10 days or so. I've been off for nearly 8 months. Some soreness but nothing major so far. My doc had never had someone titrate up and had never heard of it. So if you're new, consider taking a very small dose and no more than you need.
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I suppose that should work. Either way your trying to get to your lowest possible dose. You can make some adjustments in the first 2 weeks. I started at 20mg for 2 days then went to 15mg for 2 days and then then went to 10mg for 2 days. Then I was at 10mg for 6 months. Titrating up would not have the same effect of adrenal fatigue but it might not be enough to slow the PMR. Glad it worked. Glad your off prednisone.
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2 ReactionsGlad it worked for you @jillkellyauthor. The only concern I would have is if any of the PMR symptoms could possibly be related to Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). Not sure titrating up would help, then you could risk losing your vision if not treated promptly.
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It should be recommended for anyone with PMR that they schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist to check for GCA. My rheumatologist didn't recommend it but I made an appointment on my own and he was glad I did. I was relieved to find out that there were no signs of GCA but I did find out that some of the blurriness and night driving issues I was experiencing is the very beginning of cataracts. Good to know even if I didn't want to hear it.
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