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@margaretva

Hi - I was diagnosed with PMR late last summer at age 58. Story similar to that of many here - took a while to diagnose, but prednisone took care of pain almost immediately. I started at 15 -20 mg and am now down to 6 - 6.5. I have been reading posts here since my husband found this group a month or so ago. Thank you all so much! It has really helped to know I am not alone. I am also going even more slowly on reducing pred thanks to the posts here.Ask rheum. today for 1 mg pred and he complied. I also am on methotrexate - rheumatol. is not sure it's helping, so he wants to start me on Humira - AFTER I have had my COVID shots. I am scheduled for 1st Moderna Wed. (April 7). Saw Rheumy to day - he said continue pred, but skip methotrexate the week of each COVID vaccine (I take it once a week). Re flu shot - I felt sick after the first one I took over 20 years ago and had not taken one since. Still got PMR. Rheumatol wanted me to take one this year - I did, with no problems. So thanks again for your shares, I'll keep you posted on how the COVID vaccines go.

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Replies to "Hi - I was diagnosed with PMR late last summer at age 58. Story similar to..."

Hello @margaretva, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It's good to hear that you asked your rheumatologist for 1 mg prednisone tablets as it makes it easier to taper slower. You might want to ask for 2.5 mg prednisone tablets also as it makes it a little easier tapering until you get to the lower doses. Towards the end of my first round with PMR I found a good pill splitter and was splitting the 1 mg tablets going back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg until I was finally able to stop taking prednisone and only have some minor aches in the morning.

You may find a few other discussions helpful also:
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr-meet-others-share-your-story/
- PMR Anyone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-anyone/
- Resources / Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/
- Rheumatoid arthritis questions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rheumatoid-arthritis-questions/

You mentioned your rheumatologist also has you on methotrexate and is not sure it's helping so wants to start you on Humira. Do they think you also may have rheumatoid arthritis in addition to PMR?