Here's what happened at my last visit at the rheumatologist: the practice is associated with a large university medical center. My Dr is also a professor and has a 'fellow' in training. It was her first day. She did the routine questioning assessment of how I was doing, had a discussion with my Dr and then they both came in the room. So besides asking ME questions, THEY were having a conversation about pmr treatment, what can go wrong and why. My pmr seemed to be gone and the inflammation attacked the joints in my hands. Maybe because I already had osteoarthriti in those joints.Paraphrasing what he said to her was .... How many times have we seen tapering trigger inflammation somewhere else. My hands were visibly swollen. They said I need more than prednisone and suggested methotrexate.
This whole cortisol thing has never been brought up at any of my appts. I will ask some questions at my next appt. which was s in Oct.. My appt is with the new Dr, not sure if my reg Dr will be there also.