Polymyalgia rheumatica: Any thoughts on my taper plan?

Yes, Im convinced that doing everything I could really helped me. Particularly working out in the pool, which is a heated, saltwater pool with a max depth of about 5.5 feet. Very helpful. However my rheum wanted me doing weight bearing exercises....but Dr Rheum strongly encourages doing "all the things" in addition to the meds. Im on a low dose of Prednisone and Kevzara. If you thought Prednisone was a game changer, I hope you get my response to Kevzara. If I had to choose between them, Kevzara would win.
Good luck to you.

I am so glad things are working out for you. Prednisone seemed to have done the trick. I hope it stays that way.
Best of luck to you!

I am no doctor, but I would have to agree with your PT that it is not PMR. My soreness was in my thighs, triceps, biceps and traps, all muscles. I had headaches also was tested for GCA with a biopsy and came back negative. Praying they find the cause and can give you treatment for the pain. Best of luck to you.

That’s a good plan. I’m down to 2 mg after 2 years and I started at 30. Been on 2 mg for 1 month will stay at 2 for another month then go to 1.5 mg. 🤞🏻goid luck.

Same as myself, started at 30mg October of 2023, I'll will stay on 2 1/4mg for 6 weeks then drop to 2mg for 6 weeks. If everything stays the same, I will drop 1/4mg every 6 weeks. Weaning myself just a little slower than yourself. I only want to go through this once I hope. Best of luck to you
🤞🤞🤞🤞

Hope you had biopsy on both sides of temple area. Previously to being positive on both sides I had ultrasound of temporal regions that tested negative.

I know this may seem like a stupid question. I am currently on 2 1/4 mg of prednisone. Plan on tapering 1/4 every six weeks. Does 2 mg of prednisone really do anything for the inflamation, or is just about the tapering process. My pharmacist buddy says 2 mg of prednisone really does not do much for you. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Hello @casinokid1121 - I combined your new discussion on polymyalgia rheumatica with other discussion of the same title:

"Polymyalgia rheumatica"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/polymyalgia-rheumatic/

I did this so the members who have shared their experiences with you can see you new post and you can continue the discussion with them in one place.

"My pharmacist buddy says 2 mg of prednisone really does not do much for you."

"Does 2 mg of prednisone really do anything for the inflamation, or is it just about the tapering process?"
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Not a stupid question at all.

I personally agree with your pharmacist buddy. However, many people will say every .25 mg makes a difference all the way to zero.

When I tapered off prednisone an endocrinologist said 3 mg was such a small dose that I didn't need to taper from that low of a dose. My circumstances were different for a couple of reasons:

1) I had to stay on 3 mg for 6 months until my cortisol level improved. After my cortisol level was adequate, the endocrinolgist said it was safe for me to stop taking prednisone.

2) I was on a biologic that was controlling PMR inflammation nicely. The endocrinologist checked with my rheumatologist to make sure I didn't need prednisone for PMR anymore.

3) I was on Prednisone for 12 years. The longer you are on Prednisone the harder it is to taper off because of adrenal suppression and the possibility of a flare. Adrenal suppression may contribute to having a flare.
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In spite of being told that I didn't need to taper from 3 mg --- I did a fast taper anyway. I did what I called a "countdown taper" 3mg - 2mg - 1mg - zero. I decided to do this taper in one week.

I don't think there is any single best way to taper off prednisone. I think you need to do what works best for you while consulting with your doctor.

I should add that the endocrinologist also said that I should restart prednisone "for any reason if I felt the need" but "preferably" I should contact her before restarting prednisone. She said that I wasn't required to contact her first but she wanted to know if I needed Prednisone again.

The endocrinologist said there was the "potential" for an adrenal crisis if something very stressful happened. She said a car wreck would be one example of something very stressful.

I’m just one person but my first time with PMR lasted 3 and a half years with the last six months going back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg prednisone until I could taper completely off without any PMR related pain. So even 1/2 mg made a difference at the time.