1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Quadriceps, predinisone and alternatives

Posted by gratyork @gratyork, Feb 24, 2023

Now in a second bought of PMR and been on prednisone for 2 years. At a certain point when tapering pain and weakness in quads- could be taper is too soon but could also be prednisone side effect. anyone have this experience? What alternatives to prednisone might exist?

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

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 24, 2023

Hello @gratyork, Welcome to Connect. My non medical vote would be that the taper is too soon or to big of a taper. From what I've read and discussions I've had with my rheumatologist, 2 years is not really long term use of prednisone for a possibility of causing the side effects. My first round with PMR, I was on prednisone for 3 and half years before I could taper off. The second time around six years later, I was able to taper off in 1 and half years which I think was due to some lifestyle changes I made between the two occurrences to help reduce the weight gain side effect from my first episode of PMR. There are some alternatives to prednisone. Here are a few discussions you might find helpful:

--- PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternatives-to-prednisone/
--- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/.
How big was your last taper of prednisone?

REPLY
1 reply
maggie14 | @maggie14 | Feb 25, 2023

My PMR has always affected my quads and calves. I had a flare up 2 1/2 months ago after getting down to 5 mg. of prednisone. Have been on 10 mg. for a month and feel pretty good but will have to start tapering again very slowly. I see my rheumy next week but he had told me to stay on 10 for months.

REPLY
1 reply
suetex | @suetex | Feb 25, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @gratyork, Welcome to Connect. My non medical vote would be that the taper is too..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @gratyork, Welcome to Connect. My non medical vote would be that the taper is too soon or to big of a taper. From what I've read and discussions I've had with my rheumatologist, 2 years is not really long term use of prednisone for a possibility of causing the side effects. My first round with PMR, I was on prednisone for 3 and half years before I could taper off. The second time around six years later, I was able to taper off in 1 and half years which I think was due to some lifestyle changes I made between the two occurrences to help reduce the weight gain side effect from my first episode of PMR. There are some alternatives to prednisone. Here are a few discussions you might find helpful:

--- PMR: Are there treatment alternatives to Prednisone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/alternatives-to-prednisone/
--- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/.
How big was your last taper of prednisone?

Jump to this post

Read comments from 2020 and glad to see LDN being discussed. Wanted to dicuss question about celery juice... Celery seeds are anti inflamatory, don't know if juice is.

REPLY
saltyg | @saltyg | Mar 4, 2023
In reply to @maggie14 "My PMR has always affected my quads and calves. I had a flare up 2 1/2..." + (show)
@maggie14

My PMR has always affected my quads and calves. I had a flare up 2 1/2 months ago after getting down to 5 mg. of prednisone. Have been on 10 mg. for a month and feel pretty good but will have to start tapering again very slowly. I see my rheumy next week but he had told me to stay on 10 for months.

Jump to this post

@maggie14 does your calf pain feel like soreness after a Charlie horse cramp?

REPLY
maggie14 | @maggie14 | Mar 4, 2023

Kind of like that. Sore all the time and sore to the touch. Same with thighs.

REPLY
1 reply
redboat | @redboat | Mar 4, 2023
In reply to @maggie14 "Kind of like that. Sore all the time and sore to the touch. Same with thighs." + (show)
@maggie14

Kind of like that. Sore all the time and sore to the touch. Same with thighs.

Jump to this post

I get that in the center of the quads about halfway between the knees and hips.

I think it may be my hips joints' way of referring pain to my muscles to let me know I need to stop walking or exercising so much. They are getting too inflamed, and this is their way of emphasizing it to my brain via my quad muscles. "Tell him to stop doing that!" Just a guess.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.