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How long has PMR lasted - I'm trying to find the average

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Dec 26, 2023 | Replies (136)
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@hunib33

I was diagnosed with PMR in Feb of this year (2023) and I’m now on 1/2 mg for the rest of this month (Nov), then I will have completed this regimen. My SED rate was tested Oct. 30th and it was 10. There are mild aches now and then, but they will pass over time. Overall I feel really good.

I think a lot depends on how intense your initial symptoms are as it relates to your initial prednisone dosage. I’ve noticed most people on this site start at 20 mg. My doctor punched PMR in the mouth with an initial dosage of 60 mg for 4 days; then 40/4 days; 30/4 days then 20 for 10 days. I started tapering from there. I was an avid exercise enthusiast before PMR and gradually added exercise back in. I followed my doctor’s directions to the letter and it has worked for me. I’ll be 79 later this month.

I’ve read the average length of this condition is 12 months, but cases vary widely. A lot of people on this site are seeing a rheumatologist. My internist treated me.

Remain positive and this too shall pass ☺️

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DadCue | @dadcue | Nov 3, 2023

Hitting PMR hard in the early stages has some merits. My ophthalmolgist and I successfully took this approach to treat an "aggressive" form of uveitis which is another type of autoimmune condition. We responded with aggressive treatment every time uveitis flared. High dose prednisone ... fast taper worked well for uveitis compared with the more tentative approach of low dose .. slow taper usually done for PMR..

The problem with PMR is it sometimes takes months or years to be diagnosed. During the time from onset to treatment, PMR becomes well established with widespread chronic inflammation. For my type of uveitis I was seen, diagnosed with treatment started in a matter of a few hours.

There has been no research done that provides any insight into prednisone dose and tapering strategies for PMR. The low dose ... slow tapering strategy has been done the same way for many years. There isn't any research that says this approach works better to achieve remission compared to other approaches.

See the treatment section in the following link:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376545

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