Connect
← Return to PMR Flare up: Any suggestions on what to do?
Discussion
PMR Flare up: Any suggestions on what to do?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Dec 21, 2022 | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
Has anyone had to increase their prednisone dose to 50 mg per day for a flare?
Replies to "Has anyone had to increase their prednisone dose to 50 mg per day for a flare?"
Are you prescribing prednisone to yourself? Did you diagnose yourself?
When I was first diagnosed with PMR, I ignored what my rheumatologist told me because I thought I knew everything about tapering off prednisone. I had a 15 year history of recurring uveitis along with reactive arthritis. My ophthalmologist frequently prescribed 60 mg for uveitis. My ophthalmologist would adjust my dose upward if needed until the uveitis responded. I was then allowed to taper myself off with instructions to call if I had difficulty with tapering. I could always taper off quickly in a month or two so I rarely had a need to call.
In retrospect, I didn't know anything about PMR but I thought it would respond to prednisone the same way as reactive arthritis and uveitis did ... wrong! The treatment for PMR is "long term" as in years instead of months.
I got off to a bad start because I thought I knew everything. I got a "non compliant" label put on me because I kept increasing my dose. My rheumatologist started me on 20 mg but I increased it to 50 mg because it worked better than 20 mg.
My rheumatologist wanted me to find a "stable dose" of prednisone that worked to control my PMR symptoms. The stable dose I eventually found was 40 mg but my rheumatologist said it was too high a dose for PMR. My rheumatologist would have liked something less than 30 mg.
I refrain from giving medical advice due to my training as a nurse. However, I suspect something else is happening. It might be PMR and something else. In my case, it was a "full range" of things in addition to PMR according to my rheumatologist.
I had the same rheumatologist for 15 years after PMR was diagnosed. We found ways to work together. I eventually got off prednisone but it took a long time and an entirely different treatment plan.
What is an "autoimmune protocol diet"?
Connect
For a PMR flare, 50 mg would be a lot of prednisone. You should consult with your doctor before taking that much prednisone.
What dose of prednisone are you currently taking? Increasing your dose from 10 mg to 50 mg is one thing. Increasing from 40 mg to 50 mg is another thing.