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Prednisone tapering: How did you do it pain free?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (76)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed 2 months ago with PMR. Starting Prednisone dose 12.5.
PCP started decreasing dose. After 1 month dropped to 10mg and last week to 9mg. My pain has increased primarily in lower body but my joints in my hands have increased pain. I just had blood test and my inflammation markers are now in normal range. My PCP is satisfied but I am in pain. What is a good approach?
Replies to "I was diagnosed 2 months ago with PMR. Starting Prednisone dose 12.5. PCP started decreasing dose...."
While decreasing the Prednisone, unfortunately, we sometimes have PMR and more. Not everybody, but some of us. I don’t know if PMR, or the trigggers that brought on PMR, are the reasons why other forms of arthritis or rheumatoid misfortunes develop in some of us with PMR.
I had osteoarthritis for a decade before PMR. Prednisone masked those symptoms for me at the higher doses. Now that I am tapering (at 6.5mg/day currently)
I feel the old arthritis symptoms returning, primarily in my hands.
I don’t know if PMR and/or its related triggers worsen arthritis, bring on RA or speeds-up one’s getting it or fibromyalgia or….the list goes on.
Maybe, some of us were just bound to get them regardless of our aquiring PMR and they become noticeable during taper.
Hi @betsyhase, You will notice that we merged your new discussion with the other discussion you started on prednisone tapering and tweaked the title a little so that other members following your progress will see your progress and new questions. Here's the link that takes you to the beginning of the discussion:
-- Prednisone tapering: How did you do it pain free?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-tapering-4/
Unfortunately there probably is no recommend approach that will work for everyone. You might find the following discussion helpful:
-- How to Slowly and Safely Taper Off Prednisone but ... no set rules.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-slowly-and-safely-taper-off-prednisone-but-no-set-rules/
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If the pain keeps you from functioning, then you need to relay that to your PCP. PMR is not a disease with textbook symptoms, markers, diagnosis and treatment. If your inflammation goes down on prednisone then it is working. Tapering down can be trial and error. Our doctors want us off prednisone as soon as possible because of what it does to us. You have to take some control over the tapering process. I was just this week asked to decrease from 25 mg prednisone to 20, even though 25 didn't fully relieve my shoulder pain but it was manageable. After four days, the pain returned to the point where I had to limit my activity beyond just the normal daily routine. That was Thursday night and I went back to 25. My rheumatologist is closed Fri-Sat-Sun. I have an appointment Monday. I will try 22.5 if he wants or else he needs to find something besides prednisone to relieve the PMR pain if he wants me off prednisone. I want me off prednisone because of the side effects I have, but I have to be able to function during the day.