Prednisone tapering: How did you do it pain free?

@cwbf
There are reported side effects of pneumonia and UTI’s. I had both last December. Kevzara was very painful to administer as well. I’ve had PMR for over 10 years. I no longer take anything for it. If I experience a flare up, I’ll go back on prednisone. I do take Humira for the rheumatoid arthritis that usually accompanies PMR at some point in time. The RA is very painful, but the Humira is working well. I’m a 77 year old woman spending summers in WA and winters in AZ. Staying active outside helps me sleep better and keeps my mental health positive.
Best of luck on your PMR journey.

@walterl
Were you using the kevzara pen?

Off Prednisone one month (two previous unsuccessful tries). Never pain free. On Methotrexate 5 months with no benefit. Until I see the rheumatologist this week, trying to manage with two doses of Tylenol Arthritis a day. It helps but....

@jandee
I am still wondering if I will ever feel better. Methotrexate gave me diarrhea. Orencia infusions x 3 and wondering when I should feel better. Also in a slow taper off Prednisone. I still hurt all over. Frustrating.

The key to reducing Prednisone with minimal pain is to do it patient and only when the pain subsides enough. I am doing it 1mg reduction per month I am on 7mg now and take kevzara to help. I am not pain free, but is a level 2 out of 10 most days.

I am on Orencia infusions and tapering Prednisone 1mg per month
I am about to go down to 8mg. I still have lots of pain but I am unsure if it is from being unable to function for about 1 year before being diagnosed. From knees to shoulders and back issues. Chasing symptoms and finally my bloodwork showed inflammation off the charts. So here I am trying to find the best treatment to relieve symptoms. Not an easy path to follow. I am so glad to have this group to bounce ideas off of.

I haven’t really ever had “joint” pain with mine, per say. Could yours be arthritis, instead? maybe see a rheumatologist? Especially, considering you have swelling. And pain can make you hypertensive?

@gilbert56
I am seeing a Rheumatologist but I am new with him. We are slowly working our way through issues. I haven't even talked to him about my knee and ambulation issues since our focus was to find a medication that I can tolerate. My body is hypersensitive to medications and can't tolerate most. I will be seeing him again soon and will discuss more issues. Thanks for your feedback!

@eparnold0219 I started at 20 mg. I am reducing at .5 every two weeks now. I’m at 2 mg. I’m not paying free when I reduce, but the pain level is tolerable and preferable to delaying the reduction. This is my second boat in 10 years and following the same routine. When I get to prednisone free if it’s like last time it’ll take another month month and a half after for my body to catch up. Hope that helps.

VERY helpful, THANKS! At what dose did you start 0.5 mg every 2 weeks? Are you also on Kevzara or similar? How many years between PMR episodes? How much do think Stress triggers PMR?