Prednisone and Pain

I'm 60 years old.
I was first diagnosed with PMR when I was 50. Prednisone was my savior.
For years I took a daily dose (forget how much) and also Hydrocodone. I was able to live a fairly normal life with mild to moderate pain a normal, expected daily accomplice.
I eventually got off the pain meds and slowly weaned completely off the Prednisone.
This last Thanksgiving, one day after, I suffered a massive flare-up. In addition to PMR, Alpha Gal, and a lifetime of injuries, I am inflamed and in pain from my neck to my toes.
Severe neuropathy in my wrists and hands wake me up repeatedly all night.
My new Physician is a PA with her own Clinic. She's very smart and steers toward natural remedies. She hates Prednisone!
I understand why, but I begged her for a prescription: I'm on 1 MG a day and also some expensive Turmeric and MSM supplements.
I don't recognize any benefit.
This has been the worst month of my life. I can barely walk, but I still operate my Furniture Repair business every day, although my productivity is vastly limited.
In my opinion, a larger daily dose of Prednisone is my only hope.
Does anyone have advice?

Hello @cramsey, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you are having to deal with the PMR pain. I'm not a medical professional but I've had 2 occurrences of PMR and the treatment for both was starting at 20 mg prednisone slowly tapering off as my pain would allow. The first time it took 3-1/2 years to taper off. The second time it took me 1-1/2 years to taper off. If my PA would not prescribe the prednisone and it were me, I would seek a second opinion from a rheumatologist and not a GP with little to no experience with PMR (just my opinion). I also would recommend keeping a daily log with your level of pain when you wake up along with the dosage of prednisone for that day.

Here's some treatment information that you might find helpful.
-- Polymyalgia rheumatica: An updated review:
https://www.ccjm.org/content/87/9/549

Are you able to get a referral to see a rheumatologist?

Wishing you the best in 2023 @connelly and hoping you get some relief. My first time with PMR took 3 and half years to taper off without the morning pain. I still have the stiffness in the morning until I start moving around but that's pretty normal for my age.

Have you made any lifestyle changes to see if it might help with your tapering and pain? Some good information here if you haven't already tried them.
-- Can Diet Affect Symptoms of Polymyalgia Rheumatica?:
https://www.healthline.com/health/polymyalgia-rheumatica-diet

I watched the video John attached showing the 5 worst foods, which include everything good to eat, but recommending "Heal-n-Soothe". Has anyone tried this combination of supplements said to ease inflammation?

Thank you so much! Yes, I can get a referral. We chose to get only Major Medical on my wife's Insurance and we pay this P.A.a monthly fee to save $ on the little stuff. It's usually a good deal, but this circumstance is different. Curtis Ramsey
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Hi @maggie14, I think that video wasn't part of the article but an advertisement on the side of the page? I try to avoid or limit the foods listed in the article as foods to avoid and do believe it has helped me. I started shortly after tapering off prednisone from my first time with PMR. Six years later when my PMR flared up again I believe the changes I made in diet and lifestyle (more exercise) helped me taper off prednisone sooner - 1-1/2 years vs the 3-1/2 years it took me the first time around with PMR. I did start taking turmeric after my first occurrence of PMR so that may have also helped.

Here's a review of the product being advertised:
-- Heal N Soothe Reviews – Pros and Cons, Ingredients and More.
https://www.jointhealthmagazine.com/heal-n-soothe.html

Hello @cramsey, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you are having to deal with the PMR pain. I'm not a medical professional but I've had 2 occurrences of PMR and the treatment for both was starting at 20 mg prednisone slowly tapering off as my pain would allow. The first time it took 3-1/2 years to taper off. The second time it took me 1-1/2 years to taper off. If my PA would not prescribe the prednisone and it were me, I would seek a second opinion from a rheumatologist and not a GP with little to no experience with PMR (just my opinion). I also would recommend keeping a daily log with your level of pain when you wake up along with the dosage of prednisone for that day.

Here's some treatment information that you might find helpful.
-- Polymyalgia rheumatica: An updated review:
https://www.ccjm.org/content/87/9/549

Are you able to get a referral to see a rheumatologist?

Hi @maggie14, I think that video wasn't part of the article but an advertisement on the side of the page? I try to avoid or limit the foods listed in the article as foods to avoid and do believe it has helped me. I started shortly after tapering off prednisone from my first time with PMR. Six years later when my PMR flared up again I believe the changes I made in diet and lifestyle (more exercise) helped me taper off prednisone sooner - 1-1/2 years vs the 3-1/2 years it took me the first time around with PMR. I did start taking turmeric after my first occurrence of PMR so that may have also helped.

Here's a review of the product being advertised:
-- Heal N Soothe Reviews – Pros and Cons, Ingredients and More.
https://www.jointhealthmagazine.com/heal-n-soothe.html

I'm 60 years old.
I was first diagnosed with PMR when I was 50. Prednisone was my savior.
For years I took a daily dose (forget how much) and also Hydrocodone. I was able to live a fairly normal life with mild to moderate pain a normal, expected daily accomplice.
I eventually got off the pain meds and slowly weaned completely off the Prednisone.
This last Thanksgiving, one day after, I suffered a massive flare-up. In addition to PMR, Alpha Gal, and a lifetime of injuries, I am inflamed and in pain from my neck to my toes.
Severe neuropathy in my wrists and hands wake me up repeatedly all night.
My new Physician is a PA with her own Clinic. She's very smart and steers toward natural remedies. She hates Prednisone!
I understand why, but I begged her for a prescription: I'm on 1 MG a day and also some expensive Turmeric and MSM supplements.
I don't recognize any benefit.
This has been the worst month of my life. I can barely walk, but I still operate my Furniture Repair business every day, although my productivity is vastly limited.
In my opinion, a larger daily dose of Prednisone is my only hope.
Does anyone have advice?