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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR), prednisone and Coronavirus COVID-19

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: May 24, 2023 | Replies (83)
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@charlie333

Hello all - new to this chat. I am 68 and haver had PMR for 8 months. Presently down to alternating 6.5/7 mg. I want to get off this ASAP because of COVID-19. I believe I can tolerate a recurrence if I continue to decrease the dose however am I more prone to contract corona being on a low-dose of prednisone OR having a sed rate and CRP off the charts? Thanks Bill

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Replies to "Hello all - new to this chat. I am 68 and haver had PMR for 8..."
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | May 3, 2020

Hi Bill @charlie333, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I think all of us that have had PMR can understand wanting to get off of prednisone as soon as possible even before COVID-19 reared it's ugly head. My PMR has been in remission a little over 2 years now but it took me a year and a half to taper off of prednisone. The first time my PMR showed up was about 10 years earlier and took me 3-1/2 years to taper off of prednisone. I'm 77 now and a high risk if I were to contract COVID-19.

I have no medical training or background but I don't think being on prednisone has anything to do with contracting COVID-19 but think it would make getting infected with COVID-19 worse for us. Have you talked to your rheumatologist about your concerns?

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