Bilateral Muscle Pain in Arms, Legs, Neck and Shoulders

I had exactly what you had. I started at 15 mg Prednisone and tapered to 0 in 15 months. At 3mg I started having pain in my fingers, thumb and wrists along with swelling. Rheumatologist took xrays and additional blood test and said it was osteoarthritis and kept decreasing the Prednisone. I was completely off Prednisone for three weeks and couldn't even make a fist anymore. Then my medical facility quit taking my insurance so I had to start seeing a different Reumatologist. She took xrays and more blood tests everything came back normal. She started me on Meloxicam that had no effect. She then thought I was having a reaction to coming off prednisone too fast and put me back on 10 mg Pednisone for 30 days, the alternate 10 and 5 every other day for two weeks, then 5 for 30 days. 5 and 4 every other day for two weeks then 4 for six weeks which is what I'm on now. So far no pain or swelling have come back. Don't rush to come off. Make sure you are not in pain when you decrease because it doesn't go away. Good luck.

I now officially have been diagnosed PMR and have started a 30 day course of Prednisone 15 mg. with tapering doses over the next 6 months. Am feeling better but still have some pain and fatigue although much less. I will see physician in 3 months to evaluate my condition and treatment. Walking, PT, and stretching helps a lot.

6 months is a very optimistic timeframe for prednisone. Most people need at least 1 - 2 years, and some people need it for much longer.

Well he said he would evaluate the situation with the Prednisone and depending on how I'm doing MAY possibly give me methotrexate if needed afterward if necessary. I realize it could be a lot longer but when I asked the physician, that is what he told me. I guess we will see.

I see your post is nearly 2 years old. Did you ever get a diagnosis?
I have the exact same symptoms.
My rheumatologist does not think I have pmr.
I’m having an mri next week to see if I have a spinal stenosis or spinal compression.

I have this same exact thing this morning I was hurting so bad getting in and out of bed that I decided to just Google some more as if I haven't googled enough I saw your comments. This is exactly what I'm going through I was treated for polymyalgia for 3 years with prednisone. I am a now seeing a new rheumatologist to actually thinks it's osteoarthritis I don't think he understands I will be seeing him again in June. Everything you've said is exactly what's happening to me.

@vjm0223 I have these exact same symptoms I would be interested to know if you have found out anything

@vvlaraia I'm so glad my Rheumatologist is not one of those who push you to taper too quickly. It's ridiculous to think you can be off prednisone in under 1.5 to 2 years. Some people on this Forum have been pushed, when they hit 10mg, to reduce at 1mg per week, which is nuts.
I'd like to hear more about peoples experience with methotrexate, which sounds terrible when you look at the possible side effects, but I have read that about some of my meds, which turned out to be no side effects for me.

@retiredphil Hi, after tapering off the Prednisone compliantly, I am pain free after being off for several months now. I have to say though that every so often the back of my thighs get that weird PMR pain but is just barely. Almost as if it's saying, "Hey I don't want you to forget me". I do continue to keep active and work out. I am up for another round of labs in a week or two, then see Rheumatologist again afterward. I probably would opt for methotrexate rather than the wonder pill Prednisone, but my doctor says if it starts up again, it would be prednisone before methotrexate. I once was on methotrexate for 3 years after a doctor misdiagnosed me for RA. I do not believe I had any side effects from that.

@vvlaraia That's good to know if I ever need to take methotrexate. How long did it take for you to taper off to zero?
I'll be 84 in November so I'm not worried about getting off prednisone. I'm more interested in quality of life for what time I have left.