PMR Dosages and Managing Symptoms

Thanks for replying to me John , i was diagnosed with PMR in March and put on 15mg of prednisone and was so pleased the pain went away within 2 days , went down to 10 was ok , but last 2 weeks been on 5mg and can feel the pain & stiffness coming back , and very tiered , going to ring my GP tomorrow , would love to come off pred but could not put up with the pain , the doctor has give me antibiotic gel for face , havent been asked to keep a log , i see a lot are having problems tappering down , i just assumed after being on a few months the condition would be gone , wishful thinking

My first time lasted 3-1/2 years before I could get off of prednisone. The PMR stayed in remission for 6 years and came back. The 2nd time took me 1-1/2 years to get off the prednisone. I think the average length of Mr Ugly to stay with us is about 18 to 24 months but it’s different for everyone.

I had never heard of PMR untill i was diagnosed with it , and didn't realize how painful and depressing it could be , i had always been quite fit , and to wake up one morning feeling in pain & for it to get so bad i couldn't get out of bed on days , just didn't realize it could last so long , but the last few days been reading up , just can't wait to come off prednisone but looks like it's going to be a while yet

Hi I haven't been on line for a while I've had one since last November started on 40mg then dropped to 15mg
I was conversing with John bishop and got a lot of help and advice spot on he was as well as others people don't understand how severe the pain can get now fast forward I've now seen the rheumatologist having been on Presidolone for 9 months after seeing him and he now thinks it's not pmr he thinks it
Rheumatoid athritist I have to stay on the presidelone I am now down to 7mg but I am also on methotrexate now.nightmare I have to take 6 2.5 mg 1 day a week then also take 1 folic acid 1 day I'm rattling with all the tablets I just can't believe I have to take so much medication the presidelone have certainly worked but these other tablets are something else they have to get me off the presidelone but it's going to take time I know exactly what you are going through but there's a lot of good people on here ready to help you I'm in the UK and you guys are in the USA I really hope everything works out for you and it will just keep positive and you will get there take care

I have also been diagnosed with arthritis in the neck also it just seems everything has come on at once and im finding it very difficult to cope with , im having a lot of side also being on presidelone but they have helped so much in the last few months with the pain up until now , think i need to go back up a bit , i am also in the UK , thanks for the advice x

Hi if its any comfort i had a complete meltdown 3 months ago unbearable pain i was on 8mg I had to go back up to 10mg for 2 wks then 9 mg for 2 wks then 8 mg for 6 weeks this Saturday I drop to 7mg for 4 wks then drop 1 mg every 4 weeks till hopefully get of them altogether
But I am also on methotrexate these will take over from the presidelone since I seen the consultant and he seems to think I don't have pmr but rheumatoid athritist it's a totally different ball game I now have go through a series of tests for lungs heart liver kidneys I have to also have a Mir scan and get my BLOODS DONE every 2weeks it's turned into a nightmare but the important thing is that I remain totally positive and the future looks promising I don't know what the outcome is going to be but hey ho I'm still alive and kicking and that's all that really matters I do feel for because people don't understand how bad the pain can be so it's it's nice to speak to people who can understand what your going through I'm a great believer there's light at the end of the tunnel just keep believing and you make a full recovery good luck and take care 👍

@jonnydonny
I certainly empathize with your pain. PMR is a debilitating disease and for me it requires a lot of Jesus. I don’t have the patience or strength for these flareups. I have to rely on Him to get me through each day. I have been in pain since January 2023, diagnosed in April and on prednisone ever since.
Stay strong and be sure your loved ones understand what you are going through with this disease so they can support you.
Blessings

I am currently on 10mg split between am and pm per my doctor. I would prefer taking all 10mgs in the morning. After do the split dosage for almost a month, I notice no difference than taking it all in the morning.
Currently I am being tested to see if I can take Methotrexate. Prednisone has given me thin skin on the top of both arms. I bruise and get my skin torn so easy and have become so frustrated due to that and requested other treatment so I can get off or lower my Prednisone dose. Would like to hear of others who have gone on Methotrexate or who have dealt with thin skin. I would also like to hear from those who have tried split doses and taking the whole dose at one time.

Hi @chzuck, I've had two occurrences of PMR. Starting at 20mg prednisone for both. I always took my dose when I got up in the morning per my rheumatologist. I also only tapered when my pain level was acceptable (less than 2 on my scale of 0 to 10). The first time it took 3 and a half years to taper off, the second time six years later took 1 and a half years to taper off. I am also still dealing with thin skin even though my PMR has been in remission for over 5 years now.

What helped me the second time around was changing my lifestyle - eating healthier and exercising more. Probably the biggest factor was eliminating as much processed food and sugar as possible. Do you keep a daily log to record your level of pain in the morning and the dose of prednisone?

I am on methotrexate and it has helped me wean down off of prednisone. I do have one down day a week with the MTX. Some nausea , headache, fatigue. Totally worth it to get off the pred. Also each week I take it the side effects diminish. I’m down from 40mg of pred to, like you, 10mg of the pred. Headed down to 9mg next week. I also take whole dose of pred in am. I’m stiff and
Painful in am and this gives me a good day. I use tile Lo in between for pain and mostly that works fine.