PMR and now at 6.5 mg

[Ronswife]

Hi all,

I reduced from 7 to 6.75 and now to 6.5. I know I am reaching that area when the Adrenals need to waken. I feel so buzzy, tired, and clumsy with brain fog and my hands feel a bit inflamed. How long should I expect to be at this on Prednisone? How will I know to go down again? Will I feel better on Less. Thanks for being out there for reassurance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long is a piece of string?!?!

If you mean now, no, you won't feel better on less - not yet. Slow down the reduction and stay where you are until you start to feel better. That will be when you body has caught up with your reduction.

But also, you aren't reducing relentlessly to zero so the sore hands may be your body telling you you have got to the lowest dose that works to manage the symptoms FOR NOW. It doesn't mean you won't get lower - just not yet.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Ronswife,

Simple answer - you need to be on Pred as long as you have PMR. How long will you have PMR - your guess is as good as mine, or anyone else's. I know that's not the answer you want, but unfortunately that's how it is.

As PMRpro says your symptoms would indicate you have gone past the dose that you need at this particular time. Plus as you said you are at the level when your adrenals need to awaken, and lots find that a difficult time.

You need to get your symptoms back under control, if necessary going back to 7mg if you felt okay at that level. Stay there until you feel better, and don't reduce again until you do!

You have to follow your body when you reduce and that may, or may not coincide with your "plan" to reduce. It is only a plan, it can, and sometimes needs to be amended.

You will get there, but it's not a race, it's a matter of keeping the inflammation under control until it goes away.

[Ronswife in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you PMRPro and DorcetLady. I will be slower at this.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ronswife]

Hi again,

Yes slowly is the only way, despite what we as patients may wish for, and the doctors want! Very often it takes a long time to come to terms with that, we're all used to instant fixes these days, but PMR and GCA don't play that game!

Take care.