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Today is first day of 0 prednisone (but on kevzara)
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 26 1:02pm | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
@ronludington My PMR started in August of last year and was diagnosed by my primary Doctor on 12/04/2025. I went thru 8 weeks of muscle pain in my arms, shoulder, neck and even my left knee was in so much pain my walking was a challenge. I went to ER and they gave me shots of antibiotics in each arm and sent me home and I also saw 5 different doctors... In late October one of the doctors gave me 6 day prescription of prednisone and I immediately was finally able to sleep. So my primary doctors office started prescribing 10mg of prednisone until I was able to see the specialist at The Iowa Arthritis Center in the Des Moines area on 02/04/2026. So when I finally saw specialists he was unhappy my doctors office did not reach out sooner to get me in. He then put me on 20mg for 7 days and tapered every 7 days until done so 20mg to 15mg to 10mg then 7.5, 5mg and off prednisone in 5 weeks. Flared up 3 weeks later on prednisone again for 3 weeks off again and then on again for another 3 weeks and now have been off for 9 days and have some small pain but manageable. I am a 62 yr old male and was running 3 miles 4x per week until last August. I am now walking at an incline to get exercise. I am mostly Northern European which seems to be the majority of people with this decease/muscle disorder... or whatever you want to call this nightmare. I am almost 11 months into this and I guess specialist thinks I am super human I guess. Sorry if some of this is not making sense but I am sure you get the gest of this. Again I wish you the best! Bill
Replies to "@ronludington My PMR started in August of last year and was diagnosed by my primary Doctor..."
@bkearbey1 I am 78 year old female of Northern Europe roots. My older brother has had PMR for about 15 years ( a few years of remittance in between). His medical history aided in my early diagnosis in December, 2025. I had arm and finger pain which started in November and was so painful I could only sleep sitting up.
I started on 15 mg prednisone and now at 5 mg. Noticing the return of the finger pain. But I may also have carpal tunnel plus the PMR. Also temporal lobe epilepsy which started in early 2025 ( but an earlier history of epilepsy).
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@bkearbey1
"He then put me on 20mg for 7 days and tapered every 7 days until done so 20mg to 15mg to 10mg then 7.5, 5mg and off prednisone in 5 weeks. Flared up 3 weeks later on prednisone again for 3 weeks off again and then on again for another 3 weeks and now have been off for 9 days and have some small pain but manageable."
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This isn't a standard Prednisone taper for PMR. I'm not too surprised by the relapses. Are you saying you have been in remission for 9 days while on no prednisone?
Why were you given antibiotics in the ER initially? That suggests they thought you might have reactive arthritis.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/reactive-arthritis-reiters-syndrome
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I remember when I had to stop and rest when walking up a slight incline about a year after I was diagnosed with PMR. Prior to being diagnosed with PMR, I could easily run 2-3 miles 4 days a week. I preferred a 30 mile long bicycle ride. I was 52 when I was diagnosed with PMR and I'm now 72. I'm still being treated for PMR. You might need treatment for a lot longer than your doctors think.
I'm in Iowa City. You might want to be referred to the University of Iowa if you relapse again. There is probably a long wait list but maybe sometime this year or early next year.