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Have you been able to taper prednisone with long lasting success?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 17, 2023 | Replies (41)Comment receiving replies
3+ years here on Prednisone. I was diagnosed in February 2020, started at 20 mgs (instant relief), followed by several unsuccessful attempts to get off, and every time the pain returns. A couple weeks ago I went cold turkey after five months at .5 mg, then .5 every other day, and as soon as I went off, the pain sneaks back in my shoulders and legs. It is very frustrating, but if I have to take a low dose for the rest of my life, I'll do it for the quality of life. I am currently back at 1 mg, fighting a bit of pain in the mornings until around 11, and I see my rheumatologist next week. It is amazing to me how such a low dose makes a difference.
Replies to "3+ years here on Prednisone. I was diagnosed in February 2020, started at 20 mgs (instant..."
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@amak23 will you discuss going on one of the Biologicals?
This is the first recommendation in this recent manuscript. I scan through the authors to see who are the players in the this field. I wonder how different will be the policies in US vs Europe.
Recommendation 1
The treatment target of GCA and PMR should be remission; remission is the absence of clinical symptoms and systemic inflammation.
https://bmj.altmetric.com/details/142886735/news this link shows which news outlets picked up this article.
"Treat-to-target recommendations in giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica
first author : Christian Dejaco"
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC
There is large heterogeneity in clinical practice related to treatment strategies in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
The concept of treat-to-target (T2T) is widely adopted in rheumatology, but has yet not been defined for these diseases.
WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS
Here, we present consensus-based recommendations on T2T in GCA and PMR developed by an international, multidisciplinary task force.
Treatment targets, as well as strategies to assess, achieve and maintain these targets, have been provided.
HOW THIS STUDY MIGHT AFFECT RESEARCH, PRACTICE OR POLICY
These recommendations advise clinicians how to effectively implement a T2T approach for GCA and PMR in clinical practice.
Gaps in current knowledge have been identified and a research agenda frames the needs to be addressed by future studies in the field.