1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Does tapering prednisone continue to reduce swelling

Posted by elayne @elayne, Mar 22 11:52am

When I first exhibited classic symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), my rheumatologist prescribed prednisone and methotrexate.
I have been gradually reducing my prednisone dosage from 25 mg per day to 15 mg per day, with moderately good overall results.
However, my initial flare-up included localized swelling and pain in my right ankle and right knee, which are still somewhat swollen and painful.
I am concerned that by tapering down the prednisone, these specific joints may not receive sufficient treatment from the medication.
Has anyone else experienced persistent swollen and localized joint pain in one or two joints while tapering off prednisone?
If so, was there still effective treatment for those affected joints to improve during the tapering process?

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 22 2:10pm

@elayne, I'm wondering if you have more that PMR going on with the swelling right knee and ankle. I actually had the same thing going on when I was first diagnosed with PMR and my rheumatologist had some fluid drained from my right knee that was not related to the PMR. If I remember correctly I had gout in the big toe on the foot and ankle areas which was treated with a short course of Colchicine. I also pain and redness along with the swelling in those areas. They were sensitive to touch.

Have you discussed the localized swelling and pain with your rheumatologist or doctor?

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1 reply
elayne | @elayne | Mar 22 8:27pm
In reply to @johnbishop "@elayne, I'm wondering if you have more that PMR going on with the swelling right knee..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@elayne, I'm wondering if you have more that PMR going on with the swelling right knee and ankle. I actually had the same thing going on when I was first diagnosed with PMR and my rheumatologist had some fluid drained from my right knee that was not related to the PMR. If I remember correctly I had gout in the big toe on the foot and ankle areas which was treated with a short course of Colchicine. I also pain and redness along with the swelling in those areas. They were sensitive to touch.

Have you discussed the localized swelling and pain with your rheumatologist or doctor?

Jump to this post

Hi John, Thsnks for this note. I will circle back with thx Dr. About this. I like the idea of maybe having the fluid drained.

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trimomlewis | @trimomlewis | Mar 23 7:48am

I actually had swelling, in particular, in my hands…way before I had other symptoms related to PMR. As I’ve tapered down and inflammation markers have dropped I’ve noticed my hands back to normal. I’ve learned to watch my hand swelling as it seems to be an early sign of a flare. I don’t know if this helps inflammation but I’ve taken to trying at least one or two cold showers a week, especially in the summer. These “shocks” (not fun) seem to make me feel better all over. Haven’t gotten to ice baths yet, but next big flair, I might try it.

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1 reply
elayne | @elayne | Mar 23 8:50am
In reply to @trimomlewis "I actually had swelling, in particular, in my hands…way before I had other symptoms related to..." + (show)
@trimomlewis

I actually had swelling, in particular, in my hands…way before I had other symptoms related to PMR. As I’ve tapered down and inflammation markers have dropped I’ve noticed my hands back to normal. I’ve learned to watch my hand swelling as it seems to be an early sign of a flare. I don’t know if this helps inflammation but I’ve taken to trying at least one or two cold showers a week, especially in the summer. These “shocks” (not fun) seem to make me feel better all over. Haven’t gotten to ice baths yet, but next big flair, I might try it.

Jump to this post

Hi - thx for this. Maybe icing it a lot will still help. Don’t know if I could ever do ice baths but interesting if cold shocks help!

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1 reply
elizadolittle | @elizadolittle | Mar 23 12:55pm
In reply to @elayne "Hi - thx for this. Maybe icing it a lot will still help. Don’t know if..." + (show)
@elayne

Hi - thx for this. Maybe icing it a lot will still help. Don’t know if I could ever do ice baths but interesting if cold shocks help!

Jump to this post

My PMR is mostly in my upper arms. I had an operation on my back for spinal stenoses exactly one year ago on March 23rd. I am wondering now if some of my complaints are related to PMR?
I've started taking hot showers followed by cold water to end the shower. stop when it gets too cold. It does make me feel better. It's interesting to hear from someone else who does something similar.

Perhaps there's something to the Scandanavian practice of saunas followed by jumping into the snow.

Have a great day everyone!

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pkalkstein | @pkalkstein | Mar 24 5:03am

In addition to tendon damage from prednisone, I had puffy ankles and lower legs until I got down to 8 mg and then the swelling subsided. It was prednisone, I think, not the underlying PMR, that caused the swelling.

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1 reply
elayne | @elayne | Mar 25 10:35am
In reply to @pkalkstein "In addition to tendon damage from prednisone, I had puffy ankles and lower legs until I..." + (show)
@pkalkstein

In addition to tendon damage from prednisone, I had puffy ankles and lower legs until I got down to 8 mg and then the swelling subsided. It was prednisone, I think, not the underlying PMR, that caused the swelling.

Jump to this post

Thank you, its good to know what the different factors migh be. glad it went away for you!

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nyxygirl | @nyxygirl | Apr 1 7:24am

@elayne Have you had a test for Lyme Disease ( plus the entire tick panel)?

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