Polymyagia Rheumatica

[Vertue190]

Hello group,this is my first post.

I’m 81 years old and up until 4 months ago I enjoyed good health and fitness,usual back pain etc.as expected. I began to feel increased pain generally and within 3days I was completely incapacitated unable to get up,great difficulty getting in and out of bed.

Eventually I contacted a Rheumatologist and was diagnosed with Polymyaga Rheumatica,he prescribed Prednisolone 12mg and within 2days my wrist ,hand and knee swelling had gone and I was able to function almost normally,pain in my shoulders and hand remained but to a bearable extent. Over the last 4months I have reduced the Pred down to 6mg. I take them very early in the morning and find I get about 18hours of bearable arm/shoulder pain through the day until late evening when it returns and prevents a good nights sleep.

The instructions are to further reduce the dose until finally eventually zero….with 6mg I can cope and fear that further reduction will make things worse……been tempted to increase when I’ve been particularly bad.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

Would greatly appreciate your experience and comments

Thanks

[suzy1959]

Can I suggest you post this question on the PMRGCAUK site here on Healthunlocked? You will get lots of expert advice and support.