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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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@johnbishop

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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Replies to "Hi Bill @charlie333, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I think all of us that have had..."
dreamer38 | @dreamer38 | May 13, 2020

Hi. I’ve been on 20mg Prednisone for almost a week...have had severe pain in hands/wrists and had to go up from 2mgs. Rheumy advised me to stay in, no going out because of COVID-19. Have had PMR since Oct ‘18 and been up and down w/Pred. Hope this is of some help.

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dreamer38 | @dreamer38 | Jun 12, 2020

Hi John, when I had to go up to 20mg of prednisone, I was told by my Rheumy to stay indoors as prednisone lowers the immune system. Now I’m on 10 for a month & not sure what to do! Anyone have any idea?

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