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Polymyalgia Rheumatica treatment options

Posted by Marshahj @marshahj, Jan 5, 2012

Has anyone experienced complete management of symptoms at onset of disease with Prednisone and then experienced a major setback while decreasing the dosage? If so, what treatment plan was used? Also, has anyone had any success with any other prescribed medicines in the treatment of the disease? My husband was diagnosed three months ago and with first major dose of Predison (60mg) he improved 100% with symptoms totally subsiding. The symptoms returned when the doseage was reduced to 20mg. He is currently taking 40 mg but his symptoms have never completely subsided again. His rheumatologist started him three weeks ago on Methotrexate as well in hope to use this med as treatment and take him off the Predisone. Thus far the treatment plan does not appear to be working. My husband is also experiencing most side effects from the use of long term Predisone which is also a reason for considering an alternative treatment.

Thanks and appreciate any information provided.

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jabrown0407 | @jabrown0407 | 16 hours ago

Please consider having him see an Endocrinologist while he is being treated since prednisone is a hormone. An Endo should be able to test proactively to see if problems associated with large dosage of steroids are known to cause and possibly help limit these from doing additional damage. Steroids are naughty yet are sometimes necessary.
I wish you and your husband well on this PMR journey.

REPLY
jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | 8 hours ago
In reply to @bonnie57 "I am 57 years old and have had PMR for 2 years now. Started on 20..." + (show)
@bonnie57

I am 57 years old and have had PMR for 2 years now. Started on 20 mg. of prednisone initially and tapered down to over the 2 years to 1 mg. but the symptoms are back and my blood work and inflammatory markers are all elevated to the same level as when I was first diagnosed. I refuse to back up on prednisone dosage so I supplement with Aleve but I am always in pain, 24/7. It seems like whenever I drop the dosage the symptoms flare up. I am beginning to think prednisone is addictive as the tapering off is as bad as the disease itself.
Not sure what to do next and my Dr. doesn't seem to know either. I am going to try to take a yoga class to see if I can get some relief.

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@bonnie57
Hello Bonnie!
Is your doctor a rheumatologist? Most specialists will bring up starting you on another medication like methotrexate or a biologic to help your pain and also taper you off the ptednisone. You could take arthritis strength Tylenol for pain also. Aleve is a nsaid anti inflammatory that should not be taken with prednisone. Advise you to see another doctor if your current one is not helping you. Good luck!

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