Just diagnosed and still hurt in am with 20 mg

Posted by obxpoppop @obxpoppop, Dec 31, 2023

I was recently diagnosed with PMR and my PCP started me on 20 mg prednisone been taking in the morning but still wake up next morning hurting and takes about 3 to 4 hours to go away. Should I be on a higher dose? Also, wondering if I should request my PCP to refer me to a rheumatologist.

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@54pontiac

I was put on 10mg to start with little effect. I asked the rheumatologist if we should increase the dose. He said to wait a little longer and within a couple of weeks all the pain was gone. I was glad not to have to go up and have a longer taper. But everyone is different…

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Do you take 10mg on a daily basis?

I have an appointment with a Rheumatologist in February, meanwhile another doctor has prescribed Prednisone at 30mg every other day.

For 2 weeks I have suffered greatly the night before the dose. I had a brainstorm yesterday, that I am going to take 10mg one day and the 20mg the next. I wasn't in agony last night awaiting the 30mg.

I understand that my PCP wanted to dose me like that so that my body would continue to make its own cortisol, but, I need to function and feel better on the off dose day.

I hope that you keep the relief that you are afforded.

Can't wait to see the Rheumatologist.

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I took 10mg daily for 2 months after which I felt like superwoman and my SED andCPR blood levels were back to normal. Then the rheumatologist suggested that I begin tapering 1mg every 2 to 4 weeks, which I have done. I am almost to 5mg and still feel good. I have heard that it's best to taper 10percent a month, so I plan to cut it by 1/2mg a month when I hit 5 mg if all goes well. I have never heard of alternating days for your initial dose. If you do not feel good doing that then I would think something needs to change. Personally I think our prednisone dosing needs to respond to how we feel and what our side effects are, not what the doctor thinks. Or even what the bloodwork says. My understanding is that our body begins to produce cortisol as we taper down to zero. But I am not a doctor. Remember, doctors are just practicing!

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20 was not doing it for me until I split the dose. Down to 9 now, ten months later, still splitting 5/4 and flaring a couple times a week, as I am pushing the taper a little faster.
I also take 200 Plaquenil and 4.5mg Low Dose Naltrexone, with occasional Tylenol and some topical Diclofenac.

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