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Tapering off of Prednisone

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Feb 28 5:49am | Replies (313)
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@aspine

Neck pain, and headache are a couple of the symptoms for GCA. Is that what you were diagnosed with? Is your scalp tender to the touch? Jaw pain when you chew? Also symptoms of GCA. Your 40 mg dose of pred. is a near GCA dosage. My suggestions is, if you are having ANY pain, of the above symptoms you probably shouldn't be tapering down. Wait until you are feeling better pain wise, and then begin the next taper. Of course, you need to discuss this with your doctor.

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redboat | @redboat | Mar 7, 2023

Thanks.

It was confirmed in the ER that this is NOT due to Giant Cell Arteritis, based on an MRI of my head, a close physical exam of my head by an experienced ER doctor, a rheumatologist's review of my symptoms, and a large group of blood tests.

I'm now on 60 mg of prednisone, which is near the upper end for GCA. But that's not what I have.

Since mid Jan 2023, there have been 7 blood tests. There have been MRI's of my head, hips, multiple CTs of my body, ultrasound of my heart, multiple physical examinations, 12 hours spent in the ER under close supervision, and much more I do not recall. I know a PET scan has been ordered that I have not yet received. We have pretty good medical facilities in San Francisco.

The diagnosis of PMR was made on Feb 3, 2023.

I am under the care of a rheumatologist, but many other specialist have been consulted in addition to the highly experienced ER doctors.

The doctors agree this is NOT GCA. They characterize it as an extremely severe presentation of PMR that is also unpredictable.

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