Treating PMR with Prednisone and Hydroxychloroquine

Found out the hard way I'm allergic to Hydroxychloroquine. I quickly developed the rash from hell. I hope it helps you.

I tried hydroxychloroquine but had allergic reaction and was told to stop. My rheumatologist said it takes 2-3 months to determine if it helps.

Did they help you? I just started and am waiting on results from all the tests.

A skin rash to hydroxychloroquine is pretty common it seems based on the number reported. However, this link doesn't say how many people receive hydroxchloroquine and have no allergic reaction.

Hydroxychloroquine can take many weeks (up to 12 even) to work, plus there are two doses. Do you have a follow-up appointment with your doctor scheduled? If not, perhaps set one up.

I have posted before about adding hydroxychloroquine to my prednisone regimen. 31/2 years into PMR. After 2 weeks I have had to discontinue due to increased symptoms. Pain and stiffness increased in middle of night. Am still on prednisone 10 at night. Next will try Gabapentin 100 Qd. As it I am feeling discouraged at setback. Onward and upward. Anyone experience with GABA?

Gabapentin is used for nerve pain… 100mg per day is a very small dose.

I took boatloads of Gabapentin for trigeminal neuralgia. It didn’t help trigeminal neuralgia pain… it just turned me into a zombie.

Most people probably tolerate Gabapentin better than me.

Hello, I am an active 66 year old. I exercise quite a bit and still work full-time as well. many years ago I was diagnosed with PMR and my neurologist gave me Plaquenil(P) a- 200 mg daily ( a small dose) and Methylprednisolone 4 mg once a day to take long-term. I stopped it about 2 years ago because I felt great. Now I have a sort of recurrence. My hands are very tight when I wake up in the morning and it takes some time to feel normal. So today I started those 2 meds again. I am going to break the 4 mg methylprednisolone in half for only a 2 mg dose. The reason I am going to do this is because I am kind of nervous about the possible side effects long term. I do not want to lower my immunity to anything (especially not in today's world). I rarely have any side effects from the meds I take. So I guess my question is - what do you think of me taking methylprednisolone for any long-term sort of care and its effect on my body to fight off infections like the flu or COVID or the like in the future? I mean the dose is really small but it usually is enough to stop the tightness in my hands. And lastly- I need to take the shingrix vaccine to prevent any possibility of getting shingles especially since I am 66. Can I take them both as well or any advice here?

Welcome @montek, It sounds like you are doing pretty good with your PMR. Here's some information from Mayo Clinic on your question:

"While you are being treated with methylprednisolone, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Methylprednisolone may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. "
--- Methylprednisolone (Oral Route): https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/methylprednisolone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20075237.

It sounds like you have a good plan to treat the PMR symptoms. Have you discussed your questions with your doctor?

has anyone been told this by their doctor that taking methylprednisolone pretty long term could hurt your immunity to other infections? And if anyone has taken this for any long term like 1 year or more- have they had any troubles with lower immune responses to colds or flu or the like? Please tell me your experiences. Thank you