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Reducing predisone side effects
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 5 hours ago | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
@pmrsuzie
If you discuss it with your PCP, then you are not just doing it on your own. You have covered yourself by involving a doctor who can steer you away from something that could be harmful. We usually have more than one doctor in our treatment.
Replies to "@pmrsuzie If you discuss it with your PCP, then you are not just doing it on..."
@kjoed53
Well, not exactly. My rheumatologist sends my PCP a very detailed letter about what we dicussed, his assessment and the instructions. I saw her a few weeks ago and told her I did not follow his taper plan. (She chuckled a little and said "what did you do?) I was supposed to alternate 3 and 2 mg. Did not specify for how long and my next appointment was 6 months. Maybe I'm still supposed to be alternating. I attempted and succeeded to get to 2mg. I was having trouble with the logic. Maybe alternating that long had something to do with adrenal function. Not sure. When I told her what I did, she said to stay at 2mg til I see him so that's what I'm doing.
There are many rheumaloloists at UPMC all with various specializations along with general rheumatology. The only physician/professor with a special interest in pmr was Dr Sattui and he has moved on. My rheumatologist's expertise is myositis. He is very well regarded and an excellent Dr.. Pmr is not textbook with ever revolving complications.. I would like to be off prednisone but the lowest possible dose where I am pain free, without complications might be my best bet.
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@kjoed53
My rheumatologist appreciated it when I informed her whenever I "adjusted" my prednisone dose. She was only worried that I might increase my prednisone dose for the wrong reason. She wrote what she called a "standing order" so I could check my inflammation markers whenever I was thinking about increasing my prednisone dose.
I somewhat appreciated that I could check my inflammation level whenever I wanted to. Trouble was ... the lab informed my rheumatologist about my inflammation markers whenever I checked my ESR and CRP on my own. Before long ... my rheumatologist was calling me to tell me my levels were high. She only wanted to know how much more prednisone I took.