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PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 1 1:21pm | Replies (445)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed back in March with PMR put on prednisone been tapering down from 20 mg when I get to 10 mg the pain comes back and the prednisone doesn't seem to work that good has anybody else had this and have anyone tried other medications that have worked
Replies to "I was diagnosed back in March with PMR put on prednisone been tapering down from 20..."
I've gone from 15mg daily to 12.5. This is day six and I am having slght pain but determined to see this next 24 days out. I will ask the dioctor about decressing 1mg at a tine rather than 2.5. It feels like that's because I get the 5mg pills and 1/2 of one is 2.5.
That's the plan anyway.
Kurt25, as I have read elsewhere, you are not relentlessly tapering to 0, but to the lowest dose to manage your inflammation. It appears you are not ready to taper to 10mg. Timing is as they say everything. You may need to taper slow the lower you go. For some that can be .5 mg over a 7 week taper. Slowly, slowly gets it done. Good luck. PMR comes with its own schedule.
Hi Kurt @kurt25, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @emo, @vellen, @mary4 and others. You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic here. If you click the link below it will take you to the top of the discussion where you can read what others have shared.
--- PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/.
You might also find the following related discussions helpful:
--- Tapering off of Prednisone: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone/
--- Prednisone tapering is challenging. What does remission feel like?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-tapering-and-remission/
--- Prednisone tapering is hard: Do complementary therapies help?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-tapering/.
Do you keep a daily log with your level of pain and the dosage of prednisone for that day?
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Hi there- There’s a lot of great feedback and shared experiences about this here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-dosages/ if you want to check it out.
What was your previous dose before you got to 10 mg? Maybe you can either go back to your original dose for a while to get to your baseline, then try again to taper but don’t go down as low.
That’s awesome you’ve made it to 10 mg. It can get tough getting down to the lower numbers… Unfortunately tapering isn’t always linear. Some people have to increase again to get back to baseline after having a flare, and taper even more slowly, especially when you hit 10 mg and below.
Others have shared about using other medications to help them wean off prednisone if you want to look up “Actemra.” In my experience, it’s not really a first choice for providers. They’ll have you taper more slowly first, usually, or go back up before titrating again. My dad has PMR and central sensitivity to medication; he has to taper very slowly.
Before he for too 10 mg, he took 15, then alternated 15 and 12.5; then 12.5; then alternated 12.5 and 10; then 10; then alternated 10 and 7.5.
Then he had a flare trying to get below 7.5. We had to go to 6.25 mg (it’s 2 and a half 2.5 mg tablets).
Others have reduced by 1 mg or less even. There are 1 mg and 2.5 mg tablets available. My dad’s doctor prescribes different variations to make the tapering easier. Wishing you all the best!