Very new to PMR

Posted by jenimom @jenimom, Nov 25, 2023

I am weaning down and am currently in 15 mg prednisone, down from 40. Was doing good but 2 days ago started feeling aweful. I get up at 4:30 so I can get to work by 8:00. The pain is not really tolerable until mid afternoon. Does anyone take their prednisone at night? I am a nurse and I need to work

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

I was just diagnosed with pmr but I've had ra for 4 + years. Still trying to figure out things.

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I was diagnosed with PMR then also developed Giant cell Arteritis (both temples). I was on 60 mg to start.
After about 6 months I gradually tapered down.
My rheumatologist has now has me on 5 mg prednisone at 6 pm. When I was on higher dose he split it between am and 6 pm. Higher dose a 6. I also take Spironolactone am and 6 pm. (For water retention and other side effects of prednisone. ).
Also on Tizaidine ( 1 tab one hour before bed) along with gabapentin at bedtime.
It all seems to work well for me. I actually get about 7 hrs of sleep about 5 days a week.
Hope this helps.

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carlotta | @carlotta | 1 second ago
I was diagnosed with PMR then also developed Giant cell Arteritis (both temples). I was on 60 mg to start.
After about 6 months I gradually tapered down.
My rheumatologist has now has me on 5 mg prednisone at 6 pm. When I was on higher dose he split it between am and 6 pm. Higher dose a 6. I also take Spironolactone am and 6 pm. (For water retention and other side effects of prednisone. ).
Also on Tizaidine ( 1 tab one hour before bed) along with gabapentin at bedtime.
It all seems to work well for me. I actually get about 7 hrs of sleep about 5 days a week.

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@tjmjsjwj

I've had PMR since May. CRP of 140 down to 8. Pain almost gone. Pred dose from 60 to 7.5, currently. I've studied the disease religously for 6 months. I have been to several top autoimmune clinics and currently have an autoimmune specialist and am part of a global program geared towards healing the gut biome and healing the stomach wall lining. I'm happy to share my thoughts and experiences if you are interested.

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Id love to hear about your healing journey as it relates to gut biome.

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Thank you for posting your story
I would be Happy to know more about how you are doing and your Journey with healing the Gut Biome
I am Keen to get well again I have been suffering for nearly year now with PMR .
Thank you Paul .

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I have been on 15mg of prednisone for three weeks which I take in the morning. I have some pain in the morning but usually feel pretty normal by early afternoon. Should I inquire about increasing the dose or be content now that life has become manageable enough? Just beginning to do small amounts of exercise again. I am a very active person typically. My doctor also prescribed ibuprofen which I take 200mg morning and night on bad days. I have read warnings about the Ibuprofen. I am 65 male.

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@wfroslansky

I have been on 15mg of prednisone for three weeks which I take in the morning. I have some pain in the morning but usually feel pretty normal by early afternoon. Should I inquire about increasing the dose or be content now that life has become manageable enough? Just beginning to do small amounts of exercise again. I am a very active person typically. My doctor also prescribed ibuprofen which I take 200mg morning and night on bad days. I have read warnings about the Ibuprofen. I am 65 male.

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I was diagnosed 4 months ago. I also take 15 mg prednisone. I’m taking 10 am and now 5 right before bed before which helps with morning symptoms.

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@laurenht

I was diagnosed 4 months ago. I also take 15 mg prednisone. I’m taking 10 am and now 5 right before bed before which helps with morning symptoms.

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Welcome @laurenht, It's good to hear you have found a way to manage your morning symptoms. My PMR is in remission now but when it was active before I was started at 20 mg and took my full dose in the morning and was good until the next morning although I did have some level of aches/pains until I took that days dose. My rheumatologist suggested I keep a daily log of my dosage and the level of pain when I first woke up in the morning to help me with my tapering schedule. There are quite a few other discussions on PMR and managing symptoms which you might find helpful. Here is a link to the discussions and comments by other members - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=pmr%20managing%20symptoms.

Do you keep a daily log of your pain level and dose?

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What is a safe alternative to Advil to go with my prednisone? I am curious why my doctor prescribed both. Thanks for your replies. Bill

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