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Trying to determine long term prednisone versus other prescriptions
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 3, 2023 | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
Hi @ vellen….I just noticed that you have fibromyalgia as well as PMR. I’m thinking I may have both as well. Initially, my Rhuemy thought it was fibro since I had no elevated CRP or Sed Rate, but she gave me the one week prednisone script which tapers naturally by the end of the week and all my symptoms were gone, so she prescribed 6 mg. Methylprednisolone which does not seem to be working - maybe because it’s not a high enough dosage? I have no morning stiffness or pain. I do not have any symptoms until mid afternoon when the pain and stiffness, mostly in my legs, begins and lasts for several hours - sometimes longer. My GP changed my dosage to 8 mg regular prednisone which I’ve started to take in the afternoon since I don’t have morning symptoms. After reading your post about tramadol, I’m sort of thinking that may work for me. What type of fibro pain do you have? Is it an all day pain? Isolated to only one part of your body? Do you have elevated inflammation markers? How did your dr know you had both fibro and pmr?
Replies to "Hi @ vellen….I just noticed that you have fibromyalgia as well as PMR. I’m thinking I..."
I have fibromyalgia and a different inflammatory arthritis (not PMR), and the medication I take for the arthritis doesn’t do anything for the fibro pain either—that’s more vague and diffuse aching pain throughout my limbs. For me, typically pain from an inflammatory arthritis like PMR is very specific while the fibro pain is more vague and diffuse. Not sure if it’s like that for others. My inflammatory arthritis gets worse with rest (as does my dad’s PMR), whereas fibro pain comes on if I overextend myself.
Usually, prednisone wouldn’t work for fibro pain, if it helps to know that?
PMR can be present even in the absence of elevated inflammatory markers. My arthritis is seronegative as well—makes it very confusing!
I wonder if your pain is PMR, if the symptoms returned because you tapered too quickly? It can take 2 years to taper from prednisone fully. My dad has had PMR for a little over a year—he was at highest on 30 mg prednisone and now is at 6.25 mg, and that’s after about 14 months.
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Hi. Yes, I have both. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago with fibromyalgia while Tramadol was in the early stages of release and my doctor gave me samples. I was lucky because his mother had fibro and had found how well it worked for her pain. These days doctors aren't keen to prescribe it as it can be addictive. They have you try the SSRI and SNRIs first like Lyrica or Cymbalta. Both I hear are very good if you can tolerate them.
I have all-over pain and most if the pressure points where, when pressed feels like a bruise. I was diagnosed with PMR at the end of May this year. Unfortunately the Prednisone, though very helpful against PMR pain, doesn't touch the fibro pain.
I don't know my inflammatory markers and though I did have a labs done with PMR, I don't recall it done for the fibro.
Sorry not to be of more help but don't hesitate if you have any further questions..
I do have one for you. There is a board here regarding PMR being triggered by the Covid shots and an NIH Study that backs that up. Does your PMR align with any Covid shots?