1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Tapering and Dealing with a Flareup

Posted by susanew @susanew, May 30 11:55am

I have been trying to taper down my steroid use first from 8 mg to 2 mg methylprednisolone, which I have successfully done. But the hardest hurdle now is from 2 mg to 1 mg. I think, fingers crossed 🤞 that I may have found some help in reaching this goal. On top of PMR, I also have osteoporosis with a small fracture (probably from a bad fall) in my L1 spine. What has really helped me recently with the PMR tapering pain is using a memory foam cushion I had previously used in the past to sit on, but now am using it as a back support with an added pillow when sitting for long periods. For some reason, this seems to put less pressure on my thighs, groin, legs, lower back, neck. So far I have been on the 1 mg for a few days now and am doing fairly well with much less pain. It’s just a thought that maybe this might help you too when tapering.

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cazwell50 | @cazwell50 | Jun 14 12:10am
In reply to @tuckerp "you made a comment about x-rays. I was convinced prior to diagnosis i had something wrong..." + (show)
@tuckerp

you made a comment about x-rays. I was convinced prior to diagnosis i had something wrong with my right shoulder. Then it moved to the left shoulder. So I had x-rays done and they indicated some bursitis. My orthopedic Dr said nothing to worry about will go away on its own. I pressed him for an MRI due to pain. MRI didnt show anything. So I was wondering about x-rays helping with diagnosis. My Rhumy didnt even care to look at them.

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I can’t see how X-rays help with diagnosis other than show up things you didn’t know you had! Mine found mild osteoarthritis in my hips as my blood markers weren’t showing inflammation but I thought that odd given I have had osteoarthritis in my knees for a decade without pain (exercising muscles around the knees is why). Anyway, I had what is called progressive PMR. Slow to show up in bloods so diagnosis difficult at first. Took me 5 months of increasing pain to get that inflammatory markers in my blood. Prednisone fixed me in 2 hours and off in 12 months. Diet, exercise, sunshine. Lots of water to flush your system. I’m not a wowser as I like my wine but cakes and chocolate have never done anything for me. Fruit, veg, seafood, lean meat. It’s boring but it works slowly and permanently.

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tuckerp | @tuckerp | Jun 14 12:36am
In reply to @cazwell50 "Yes I agree that prednisone masks other problems. I’ve been off since last November and I..." + (show)
@cazwell50

Yes I agree that prednisone masks other problems. I’ve been off since last November and I a, slowly getting less stiffness and only a few aches at night. I just saw my GP and asked him about the ‘going on and off’ when you feel aches and pains and he said that recent research says that doing so has long term detrimental effects, including, but not limited to, permanent adrenal insufficiency.

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cazwell50 I am impressed. You got this figured out. Good to know on the going on and off. I went off steroids 2 years ago. I managed to get off after 6 months and dealt with some discomfort. Twice this year I have had what felt like PMR returning. Both times I did what I would call a 5 day pack. Pain was gone. The first time no residual effects from the steroid. This second time I was left with a nasty headache and muscle aches for about 3-4 days after. I have been re-thinking my plan. Good to know what your GP thought.

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