Anxiety

[Davan]

I am in my 4th year with PMR. I am 61. I thought it would be of short duration,but not the case. I am reducing pred now and am taking 7.5. So far, the dose is not enough and I have to keep reducing. How does one get rid of this?

[polkadotcom]

Well, there is no 'have' to the reductions of Pred. The idea is not a relentless race to zero, it's finding the lowest dose of steroids which gives you the best quality of life while you journey through.

I don't know how you are being managed, but if 7.5mg is not holding back the inflammation then, right now, you need more to do just that. There is no point in taking too little Pred - you might just as well take none at all. You've got all the downsides with no benefit and that is not right.

None of us wants to take steroids, but they do help to give some 'normality' to life. PMR is not life threatening, but it is life changing. Most of us as individuals find our way round in the end, but if there is anything we can do to help, please let us know.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

polkadotcom has said everything I was going to say - except I don't understand what you are saying. "so far the dose is not enough" - reducing cannot achieve better management and the only response any of us can make is "Then you need more". There is no other way around it: either you take enough to manage your symptoms or you don't bother taking any.

I have had PMR for about 11 years, give or take. I had 5 years without pred - not out of choice but because the medical fraternity didn't recognise it. Pred was a miracle and nothing would induce me to go without it. It took me the best part of 4 years to get below 10mg. I have finally got to 5mg - which is managing the symptoms. I tried 4mg, it was OK-ish, 3.5mg was far too low.

How do you get rid of this? You find a doctor who knows more about PMR and who will NOT force you to reduce when your body is saying, "No I can't".

There is, of course, another question: HOW are you reducing? It may well be you are trying to reduce in too large steps - which is also a way of causing problems.

[54jen]

Hi Davan

I am also 61 and I have had PMR for 6 years. Reducing below 7 mg took me a long time and many attempts. Take it slowly and don't worry. Take enough prednisolone to help you lead an active life without too much pain. I am now down to 3.5 mg but I know that it will be very difficult to reduce further. However, the PMR is not preventing me from getting on with my life and that is the important thing for me.

Good luck.