Rapid steroid reduction

[Linda3009]

Hello again

I received 9 weeks of steroid treatment for suspected GCA (40mg daily), and then the consultant decided that it might be a different condition.

Rapid withdrawal of prednisolone followed (40mg to zero in 9 days)

Subsequently, I've developed the muscle pains etc that I've described previously, which the Rheumatologist has declared is fibromyalgia

But is it? Could it be due to the steroid reduction?

Has anyone else experienced similar?

[Rose54]

Hi

As far as I am aware Fibro doesn't respond to Steroids so if you are saying your muscle pain disappeared while on them .

Although you say GCA have they discussed PMR with you .

Steroids can effect your muscle causing wastage but not pain thay normally help with pain if its caused by inflammation .

[Linda3009 in reply to Rose54]

Gca/pmr ruled out following normal bloods and biopsy.

I initially presented with fatigue, scalp tenderness and slight double vision.

The muscular symptoms only appeared once the steroids stopped.

My husband reckons I'm a medical mystery......😉

[Hidden]

I agree with others, Polymyalgia not fibro-did the medics take any bloods from you before prescribing steroids? Steroids do not help fibro unless injected into your big muscle, these are a diiferent kind of steroid (a bit like anti biotics- different ones for different things)I had kenalog for many years but it was stopped after a dexa scan that checks bone density, kenalog wont reduce pain on polymyalgia its oral prednisolone like you had.. why have they stopped them?

[Rose54 in reply to Hidden]

PMR does not always show as inflammation in blood test

Mine are never raised

And once on Steroids bloods should be normal

Good luck with you appeal for your Sister

[Hidden in reply to Rose54]

thanks.. I guess mine must have been high that I got a reply after two days from hospital cons. Even my head hurts as though someone had dragged me by my hair, I find brushing so painful but washing under the shower is soothing..

[Lucky88]

Wow Linda, 40 to zero in that time frame seems crazy! With my pain finally diagnosed as PMR, I was put onto a one year path from 40 to zero and that was rated as fast! I was also told that if the pain returned, then go back a step for a couple of weeks and try again to reduce.

Steroids are things to get away from asap for sure, though not by going too soon. Fibromyalgia does not apparently reduce with Pred' so go back again.

Good luck.