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He started me on prednisone 3 .5 tablets once a day for 2 weeks then 2 1/2 for 2 weeks then 2 for 4 weeks then 1 1/2 for 2 weeks then 1 for 4 weeks then 1/2 no time limit. I would get head aches, sore neck, shoulders sore back sore hips, the pain would make me nauseous . My doctor changed my medication to 1/2 .5 milligrams tablet to 1 .5 milligram tablet for 4 to 5 days the back to 1/2 .5 tablet
Replies to "He started me on prednisone 3 .5 tablets once a day for 2 weeks then 2..."
Hi @sirmac, I'm still not sure how much prednisone you started taking when diagnosed with PMR. You said - "He started me on prednisone 3 .5 tablets once a day for 2 weeks..."
Does this mean you started a treatment with three 5 mg tablets (15 mg) or does it mean you started with three .5 mg tablets (1.5 mg)? I was started at 20 mg prednisone for both occurrences of PMR by my rheumatologist. I think the average starting dose is 15 to 20 mg but tapering off and managing the symptoms can be difficult which is why tapering slowly is helpful. Have you changed your diet any to try an eliminate inflammatory foods?
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That seems a very low starting dose for PMR. The usual dose would be 15mg for at least two weeks, if not longer. Then tapering by no more than 1mg every four weeks. I preferred my tapers to be 0.5mg. If you're in pain I'm not surprised.