Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story

Hi great to have people to talk to. I am at the low end of reducing pred down and finding it quite difficult went back up to 2 mg. Now wanting to start down again maybe even by .25 at a time. I wonder is there anything one can do to support the adrenal glands to kick back in ?

My pill splitter is good ... still pain free day would be a bit strong a description...hope everyone managing ok

Hi @ingekunga, I think your question is a good one and that it helps with any autoimmune condition. I have no medical training or background but what I believe has helped me with keeping my PMR in remission is changing some of my lifestyle habits - eliminating fast foods and processed foods, sugar and getting more exercise. I do have my slip ups though but I do my best to keep away from unhealthy eating habits. Here are some things that may help.

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment: https://www.healthline.com/health/adrenal-fatigue-treatment
Can Diet Affect Symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?: https://www.healthline.com/health/polymyalgia-rheumatica-diet

Reducing stress in your life in whatever ways that you have control over, trying to eat food as if it were your only medication and not just for comfort and taste appeal, getting outside for as walks, jogs, bike rides at as vigorous pace that you are comfortable with. I'm 65 was hit with full case of PMR 2 months ago, down to 12.5 Prednisone and trying to deal with the mood fluctuations and early waking. mybodymindconnection.net

Hello @mpstetson1, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. You offer some sound and great advice for whatever ails you, including PMR. You sound like you are doing great with tapering down on the Prednisone since it's only been 2 months since the PMR treatment was started.

Did you start at 20 mg dose of Prednisone? Do you keep a daily pain scale and dosage log to record how you are feeling each day and what dosage you are at?

I was diagnosed with PMR one year ago and my rheumatologist started me on 10mg Prednisone. It immediately calmed the flare up. I've been tapering down since then and 3 weeks ago was down to 1mg/day. That's when I got my first Pfizer COVID vaccine. My PMR flared up significantly the next day. My doctor increased my Prednisone to 3mg/day, but it didn't help the pain. She then increased to 10mg/day and it still isn't helping. I'm scheduled for my second vaccine this week, but am concerned with how it has been affecting my PMR. My pain is severe and I have no energy. Ibuprofen, 5mg Hydrocodone or 50mg Tramadol help on the bad days. The pain medicine was left over from hip replacement surgery 3 months ago.

Yes Rheumatologist started me at 20mg which took immediate effect, have been reducing by 2.5 every 2-4 weeks and the 12.5 is still effective, but still the restless, early wake ups and mood fluctuactions

15 TO 25 mgs prednisone is the usual starting dose for PMR, dependent upon one's weight. You have reduced too fast--and perhaps you have not taken enough to wipe up all the inflammation created by PMR. Very few get over PMR in two years. Average length is 5.9 years. Pred takes place of the cortisol produced by your adrenal glands. It sometimes takes a year for adrenals to wake up and again produce cortisol which equals 5 to 7 mgs pred. Ibuprofen is not recommended to take along with prednisone.

I had never heard about not taking ibuprofen with prednisone. I occasionally take a tablet for something other than PMR pain. What is the reason for not taking it?

If you google the issue: " You shouldn’t take ibuprofen with prednisone unless your doctor has told you to do so. The two together increase the risk of a stomach or duodenal ulcer developing."