1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms

Posted by maryft @maryft, Aug 16, 2021

I've read through the discussions and note all the different dosages of prednisone, different lengths of time taking prednisone, plus the addition of other meds, for PMR. I also note that the tapering of dosages and time frames are so varied from person to person. It appears there is not a set standard among physicians. How does one know if they were/are receiving the right dosage? Obviously, if symptoms subside, the dose is working, but after tapering if the symptoms return, was the initial dosage correct? I've also read that a person shouldn't be on prednisone long term, but there are many who've been on it for a few years. Its all very confusing.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

aspine | @aspine | Aug 12, 2022
In reply to @tillysam "Thank you for taking the time to answer. It took 2 yrs to go from 80..." + (show)
@tillysam

Thank you for taking the time to answer.
It took 2 yrs to go from 80 mg to mg.
My doctors now feel I am going through Prednisone detox which is brutal. I taper 1 mg a month.

Jump to this post

Okay, I 100% agree with kmeikle's answer to you. Take a good look at it if you haven't already. When you are at 7mg, you are in the "adrenal zone". It's a touchy time. You need to go slower than you have in the past. Half a mg. at a time is plenty. Some even go a qtr. of a mg at a time. Buy a pill cutter.

REPLY
tillysam | @tillysam | Aug 13, 2022

Interesting idea. I will talk to my rheumatologist about doing this.. Thanks.

REPLY
sharonanng | @sharonanng | Aug 13, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @elizabethjoan, It can be confusing trying to treat your PMR symptoms. You will notice that..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Welcome @elizabethjoan, It can be confusing trying to treat your PMR symptoms. You will notice that we merged your post into the following existing similar discussion so that you can meet other members and learn what they have shared -- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/ .

If I understand correctly, you were only diagnosed with PMR about 1 month ago and started on 20 mg prednisone and it provides pain relief until early morning. That part sounds fairly normal and similar to what I experienced except I always took my prednisone dose early in the morning with my breakfast or before. Then you mentioned decreasing to 15 mg after 2 weeks. That seems pretty aggressive for tapering. I know we are each different but my rheumatologist had me on a monthly taper but it was flexible depending on the pain I was feeling and I was told not to taper to the next level if the pain was too much. He had me keep a daily pain log along with the dosage of prednisone. If my pain level was 1 or 2, I felt I could taper to the next level. If it was above a 3, then I would increase my dose by half of the previous taper down dosage. If I dropped 5 mg for the last taper, then I would go up by 2.5 mg. He got me scripts for 5, 2.5 and 1 mg tablets so that I could easily adjust the dosage while tapering down.

Other members who have split their prednisone dosage between morning and evening and may have some suggestions for you. Are you able to discuss the tapering schedule and that it may be a little aggressive with your doctor or rheumatologist?

Jump to this post

I have recently split my dose of prednisone taking 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg a 3 pm. This has made a huge difference in my pain level in the mornings. I just tapered to 12.5 mg and am continuing to space the dosage. Remaining hopeful this will work.

REPLY
loyal | @loyal | Aug 14, 2022

Does anyone have numbness and prickly feeling in both legs and feet. More on my right than left. I am not sure if it is from PMR or my back issues.

REPLY
2 replies
c75 | @c75 | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @loyal "Does anyone have numbness and prickly feeling in both legs and feet. More on my right..." + (show)
@loyal

Does anyone have numbness and prickly feeling in both legs and feet. More on my right than left. I am not sure if it is from PMR or my back issues.

Jump to this post

I do have issues with my feet and legs. I do also have back pain. However I must say the lower leg and feet issues are most concerning as it has affected us my mobility. Prednisone has helped my pain , and Tylenol for Arthritis make it so I do the best I can. I do live in Canada 🇨🇦 so am very thankful for the great information from this group. One day at a time we cope.

REPLY
1 reply
suetex | @suetex | Aug 15, 2022

@johnbishop: I used an old "connect" link to ask about a situation I am experiencing. This the second time I have not received the automatic links to new messages. When it happened before it corrected itself about the third day. Anything I should do? SueTex

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @suetex "@JohnBishop: I used an old "connect" link to ask about a situation I am experiencing. This..." + (show)
@suetex

@johnbishop: I used an old "connect" link to ask about a situation I am experiencing. This the second time I have not received the automatic links to new messages. When it happened before it corrected itself about the third day. Anything I should do? SueTex

Jump to this post

Hi @suetex, I'm wondering if you somehow got unsubscribed to email notifications for groups/discussions you were following? @colleenyoung or one of the moderators should be able to check for you. Anytime you have any problems or questions about Connect, it's good to send a message to the moderators using the contact form (link in the footer column on every page). Here's the link to the form - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

REPLY
1 reply
suemce | @suemce | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @loyal "Does anyone have numbness and prickly feeling in both legs and feet. More on my right..." + (show)
@loyal

Does anyone have numbness and prickly feeling in both legs and feet. More on my right than left. I am not sure if it is from PMR or my back issues.

Jump to this post

I have prickly feelings but not numbness in my legs (near ankle and knee) occasionally. It seems like it happens more often after I have done more activity than usual. I have a couple of topical creams I use which generally help.
I think it is related to the PMR because I didn’t have this previously.

REPLY
1 reply
suetex | @suetex | Aug 15, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @suetex, I'm wondering if you somehow got unsubscribed to email notifications for groups/discussions you were..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @suetex, I'm wondering if you somehow got unsubscribed to email notifications for groups/discussions you were following? @colleenyoung or one of the moderators should be able to check for you. Anytime you have any problems or questions about Connect, it's good to send a message to the moderators using the contact form (link in the footer column on every page). Here's the link to the form - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/contact-a-community-moderator/

Jump to this post

Not sure about that as the subscribe link indicated that I was subscribed, so I didn't change it. And the situation did correct itself the first time without me doing anything. Seems a puzzle. Thanks for your info.

REPLY
njtodctode | @njtodctode | Aug 16, 2022
In reply to @suemce "I have prickly feelings but not numbness in my legs (near ankle and knee) occasionally. It..." + (show)
@suemce

I have prickly feelings but not numbness in my legs (near ankle and knee) occasionally. It seems like it happens more often after I have done more activity than usual. I have a couple of topical creams I use which generally help.
I think it is related to the PMR because I didn’t have this previously.

Jump to this post

Hi...I have bad pain in my back, hips, and thighs. I also have really swollen ankles...even the tops of my feet. PMR is so fun. I also think the increased inflammation has made other conditions worse...such as knee and shoulder pain. I am using the back and hip pain as my guide on the pred because the pain is not related to.activity and I never had issues with my back (the other guide is neck pain) until PMR. I think there are similarities to what you are experiencing. Just need to see how it goes. Hang in there.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.