Is this common?

12.5 is a low side dose. It might help to go higher rather than split.
You may be on long term steroids with slow taper in store.
Take Vitamins D and ask about
osteoporosis prevention if you are at risk. Know you lab numbers as well as
symptoms. Check your BP weekly.
Chronic systemic inflammation also
May alter our cardiovascular risk so
ask about an evaluation. I was border line diabetic and checked glucose at home. Mediterranean diet is worth considering. Prednisone is manageable when we are proactive.

@seniormed
Thank you for your feedback. I already do most of your suggestions but will keep a closer eye and maybe graph it to track it better.

Your dose of prednisone may be too low, assuming that your diagnosis is correct. Usual starting doses are 15 mg or higher, even up to 30 mg and occasionally higher. If you can find a single dose once a day in the morning that will relieve all your symptoms, that will have a lower risk of prednisone side effects than split doses. If the starting dose does not relieve your symptoms adequately, it is likely that you will be in increased pain as you taper. Best to discuss this with your doctor and formulate a plan. Wish you the best and hope you become free of pain soon.

Hello @betsyhase, I saw your other discussion that mentioned you were recently diagnosed with PMR and started on 12 mg prednisone and you found out you had really bad pain the next morning and you have been trying to figure out how to split the dosage to help. I never really tried splitting the dosage but my starting dose was enough to quell the pain until the next mornings dose of prednisone. For both occurrences of my PMR, my starting dose was 20 mg. I think the average starting dose is 15 to 20 mg.

I wonder if the following discussions might be helpful:
-- Do I need a higher dose?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/do-i-need-a-higher-dose/
-- How to Slowly and Safely Taper Off Prednisone but ... no set rules.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-slowly-and-safely-taper-off-prednisone-but-no-set-rules/
You mentioned having brain fog. I didn't have brain fog with prednisone treatment of either of my PMR occurrences but I think it's something you should discuss with your doctor if you haven't already to see if there may be an alternative treatment.

@mark2471
Thank you

@johnbishop
Good idea. I am kind of overwhelmed with getting started on treatment. Since I started on a Friday night. I didn't have anyone to talk to. As I read more from this site you are probably right about starting too low on Prednisone.

Nighttime dosage can affect your circadian rhythm. Plus the dosage may not be strong enough to initially stop the PMR. I switched to dexamethasone it has a longer half life. It is also 5-6 times stronger than prednisone so your dosage needs adjusted. Corticosteroids are not your best friend even though they act like it.

After a year I am down to 5 1/2 mg. of Pred. in am. (Started at 20). I take 7.5mg of Meloxicam at bedtime. I've been feeling pretty good and thought I would try splitting the Prednisone - 3mg in am and 2.5 in evening eliminating the Meloxicam. Big mistake. I suffered through the entire next day with a terrible headache. (Not GCA) Went back to the other doses the next day and was back to normal almost immediately.

Hi,
This can be frustrating for sure
Today a year later is my last day of taking Prednisone. The side effects can be difficult, but doable. I started on 20 mg. And my Dr started tapering very slowly. At the time I thought it will take forever. Being patient and listening to your Dr is so important. I feel good , I am grateful to be alive . With Polycythemia Vera and Hashimotos Disease anc a terminal son with cancer and 83 years old you learn so much about life and it has many Blessings. Hang in there . I promise you it does get better.
Warmly
Donna

@kathleendw my doctor warned me off all NSAIDs while taking pred because of potentially worse side effects. But they do help with pain, and a higher dose of pred by itself is likely needed without them. I now sometimes use the NSAID gel rubs for localised intense pain, but that's all.