1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

PMR questions about prednisone, surgery limitations, pain and more

Posted by christi48 @christi48, Nov 25, 2022

I'm relatively new to the PMR scene - diagnosed in June. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with unremitting pain in one or both shoulders. I have heard that people taking Prednisone should inform any health care provider two years after terminating use of Pred. Why is that? I have also read that people taking Pred. should not have surgery. Why? I started tapering my Pred. dose from 5mg to 4 1/2 two weeks ago and have not had any negative reactions so far. How long should I continue that dose before I drop another 1/2 mg.? This group has been immensely helpful and I thank all of you for sharing your knowledge, experience, questions and reactions regarding everything PMR.

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suetex | @suetex | Feb 27, 2023
In reply to @ste44 "Thank you. My Drs told me to taper 1/2 mg every week. I am at 6..." + (show)
@ste44

Thank you. My Drs told me to taper 1/2 mg every week. I am at 6 now. Planning on first shoulder reversal surgery (bone spurs, cartilage deterioration, crummy pain) in early April. I will talk with the anesthesiologist.

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I was on more than you are for my surgery so you should not have a problem if you follow your doc's advice. Please let us know how your surgery goes and your satisfaction with your new shoulder. I want to know for my own reasons.

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ste44 | @ste44 | Feb 27, 2023
In reply to @suetex "I was on more than you are for my surgery so you should not have a..." + (show)
@suetex

I was on more than you are for my surgery so you should not have a problem if you follow your doc's advice. Please let us know how your surgery goes and your satisfaction with your new shoulder. I want to know for my own reasons.

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Thank you. I will let you know.

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awilst | @awilst | Feb 27, 2023
In reply to @suetex "I have never heard of the "adrenals producing antibodies that cause pain". Could you post the..." + (show)
@suetex

I have never heard of the "adrenals producing antibodies that cause pain". Could you post the reference you got that from so we could learn about it?

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check out serum interleukin-6 levels. I would like to know more too.

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DadCue | @dadcue | Feb 27, 2023

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a complicated molecule. It does all kinds of things. It isn't inherently bad unless the immune system becomes dysregulated. It tends to cause systemic inflammation which leads to pain.

I only have a minuscule understanding of IL-6.

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