I often read posts on this wonderful site and can readily identify with comments about not blaming PMR for all one’s aches and pains! However, could you give me some advice on whether or not to try taking my Prednisolone in the evening? I’d better say a bit about the context.
I’ve been on Prednisolone since my diagnosis of PMR in March 2015 and have brought the dose down to 4.5mg. I’m a fit and active 69 year old bloke (well I was until the PMR struck) and have become highly motivated to reduce my dose for 3 reasons. Prednisolone can increase eye pressures (I have quite serious Glaucoma) and also weaken tendons. The tendon matter may be controversial, but I’ve recently been told by my Orthopaedic Surgeon that my right shoulder is “a mess” (Massive Rotor Cuff Tears) and inoperable as he thought that Prednisolone may well have so weakened the tendons that they would tear like paper if he tried to join them. Also my recent Dexascan showed the bone density in my pelvis is significantly reduced for my age.
The first week on 4.5mg was fine, but in the last few days my morning stiffness has increased considerably and my left leg has become painful and weak. This is a new development. Generally the stiffness improves as the day wears on but the leg hasn’t kept up and has become painful during the night!
I found Kate Gilbert’s post about taking the pred at night and am aware that there may be good reasons for not taking it then – though my sleep (and my wife’s!) is already being disturbed by the pain in my leg. However, as I really don’t want to resort to increasing the dose I’m seriously considering taking the steroid before bed. The Rheumatologist I saw twice has discharged me, saying “keep up what you are doing.” I feel I know more than my GP now. Any comments would be gratefully received.