Is dose unusually high?

[bunnymom]

I have been having rib/torso pain like someone was squeezing me. Dr increased to 20 pred. After 5 days went up 2 more and is now under control. If I do too much I feel it in my ribs and rest . Last blood work was all OK. I just seem to need around 20 but is this unusually high?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi bunnymom,

Not necessarily, although you do seem to have other factors besides PMR, so that maybe why you need a bit more than usual. However, having said that, you need as much as you need, you have to get the inflammation under control and keep it there. That is sometimes more difficult for some people than others.

Just stay at that level until you're sure everything under control before you start thinking about reducing - and then slowly.

Good luck.

[bunnymom in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for the support. On my way to the dr so it's good to have the info first.

[Megams]

Bunnymom - have you had a rib injury, cardiac surgery or a fall at any stage?

I had mainly intermittent left sided chest discomfort for some time - tendons and muscles complained as had a wee fall landing on that side some 6 to 9 months prior.

Rheumy also pointed out that highly likely to have something to do with cardiac surgery I had aged 32 with sternum cracked for procedure - that was 38 years prior. Rheumy normally found tender spots & would give tiny amount of cortisone injection, worked a treat without me needing to increase steroid meds.

My blood work never revealed very much either -slight elevation to ESR & CRP.

Hope it sorts without needing to resort to going any higher with your steroid.

Blessings

[Megams in reply to Megams]

~~~Error correction ~~~Should read (28 years prior not 38 years prior.

Blessings from Megams (NZ)

[bunnymom]

Hello ladies. Well it seems I have tendonitis in my shoulder so that got sorted out and was told don't lift more than 5 lbs. Gabapentin is helping also. Ribs he felt was PMR. Going back to 20 and maintaining for a month.realized last night I was pain free! Wow that has been a while in coming. Blessings to you today.

[jbarie1]

Too high is a relative term... the right dose is the minimum dose needed to abate symptoms.... what is your sed rate? Once you become totally asymptomatic or at least reasonably asymptomatic you can begin to taper. Tapering generally is straightforward until you reach 7.5 to 10 milligrams.... subjective symptoms from tapering too rapidly to varying degrees can simulate adrenal fatigue. Sed rate follow up as well as evaluation by your endocrinologist will ultimately keep you on the right course.

[bunnymom in reply to jbarie1]

Thank you. Sed rate was ok but pain was the issue. My dr has been very good and willing to keep me at 20 due to symptoms and taper after one month. Now see him once a month and he encourages me that I am making progress.pmr is alot to get your head around.