Weaning off of prednisone & pain management

I have respiratory issues also so I drink my water at room temperature. Occasionally with a little ice if the temperature is very warm outside!!

@joan7
Hello!
I have respiratory issues so I usually drink my water at room temperature and find this does help me! However, when it is very hot outside I sometimes add a little ice….!

Here is the problem with Tylenol products: they may reduce prednisone reduction pain somewhat but not inflammation.
My PCP said if you must continue with NSAID’s (ex. Ibuprofen) for pain relief, to also take Prilosec (acid reducer) twice weekly to prevent gastritis. But definitely do not use NSAID’s indefinitely.

Temporary prednisone reduction pain isn't usually caused by inflammation, rather a temporary reaction while our bodies adjust to the new dose. I stay clear of any sort of NSAIDs while on prednisone because of the possible damage to stomach and colon lining. I'd rather do that than use NSAIDS and have to add another drug to try to mitigate the possible NSAID damage. It comes down to how many risks we're willing to take, and that's different for everyone.

Let me clarify. Once totally off the prednisone, there can be some pain. . At that point, to help relieve the pain from total prednisone weaned off, I suggested Ibuprofen over Tylenol for relief. No, do not mix NSAID’s with prednisone while tapering..

Thank you for clarifying. I didn't realise you were talking about occasional or short-term NSAID use after stopping prednisone. Not having finished with prednisone myself yet, I can't say whether or not I might use NSAIDS occasionally or short term post-prednisone if needed. Maybe I would, even if only in products like Voltaren.

I didn’t use any painkillers except maybe once or twice Panadol. It was a slow recovery post prednisone - about 9 months. Legs were first to be clear of any pain. Not bad pain but stiffness and fatigue. Then arms and shoulders. Just tried to keep going, moving, eating well and being patient. Prednisone impacts us all differently but the common factor is our bodies not only have to get over PMR but also the different ways prednisone affects us. I would never take prednisone as a painkiller if my inflammation markers were normal. Don’t care if they can be normal and some people think they still have PMR. The risk is being on this drug forever.

Thanks for the hopeful response. "Keep going, moving, eating well and being patient" is the best advice, and so well timed for me right now.

The Voltaren is an interesting topic. Even though it is a NSAID/Ibuprofen base, my Rheumatologist/P.A. instructed me to apply it to the pain areas four times per day. I reminded her that it was an NSAID and she replied' "It's on your skin". Isn't the skin the largest membrane of our body? I have applied it to my lower back area once or so daily, but not four times per day, but still conservative. I do really miss the Ibuprofen over the Acetaminophen for pain and irritation relief.

Total agreement here. My recent diagnosis of PMR, prescribed 30mg of Prednisone initially, now tapering on my own down to 10mg currently, suffering daily fatigue like no end. Please include me in that "Never for Prednisone" unless a matter of life or death.