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PMR and Sciatica with Back Pain
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 8, 2023 | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
Welcome @polykendancer, I am fortunate that my primary care doctor got me a referral to a Mayo rheumatologist that diagnosed me with PMR and started me on 20 mg. I did struggle with tapering off the first time I had PMR but the rheumatologist was very supportive and told me to listen to my body and taper as the body allows (3-1/2 years the first time around). It most definitely is a quality of life issue with the prednisone.
You mentioned sciatica pain so thought you might also be interesting in a discussion on Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) -- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.
It was really helpful for me to keep a daily log when I was first diagnosed. Do you keep a daily pain log along with the amount of prednisone dosage for that day?
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Like John, I too, use prednisone and have learned to manage the tapering. And like you, too, polykendancer, as an athlete (I'm 71 yrs now) I find great relief. It has it's risks and needs to be managed, but it is indeed a quality of life issue. My rheumatologist is in favor of it's use and suggests I use it at a level that gets rid of the pain and then slowly taper down (she is even ok with my staying on it longer-term if I can get it under 5mg or under).