Have read your posts with great interest over past few months. I am a 65 year old man, diagnosed with PMR last August. Started with neck pain, then hips, shoulders, hamstrings till entually most of my body had joined the PMR party. GP and I were tending towards Fibromyalgia but fortunately Rheumatology suggested PMR and pred. Started on 15mg of pred and went from chronic pain and stiffness to fully functioning within 1 day - it seemed miraculous!
I followed the rheumatologist recommended taper with 4 weeks at 15, 12.5, 10, 9, 8 etc, until 5 mg. I was on my 6th week of 5mg pred thinking ahead to next reduction, when neck pain returned, then shoulders and arms. I increased to 6 mg, still pain, then 6.5 mg, still pain and currently at 7.5 mg but still not totally pain free. Should I bite the bullet and go back to say 10 mg? I am still active- walking and some kettlebells- determined not to let this condition define me or defeat me! I have noticed that I am a tad more fatigued recently though. Thoughts kind people?
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Weegie51
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If it were me I'd go back to 10mg, get it all properly under control and then reduce again. Though having said that - how long have you been at 7.5mg? Maybe you would get away with just a few days at 10mg and straight back to 7.5mg. I'd also recommend a bit less kettlebells for a week or two until the pain is gone! Or at least, lighter...
Thanks for such a prompt reply. 2 days at 7.5mg and as pain still there, I think I will take your advice and go back to 10 mg. Having read all the posts, I am well aware of the need to reduce slowly now. I was so pleased to be at 5 mg and apparently ready for next reduction, but clearly the PMR is still active. Kettle bells are on hold just now!! Have already dropped down from 10kg to 8kg. Cheers!
That made me laugh! I guess that I am on the "lighter" end of the PMR spectrum and was pretty fit before it struck. I feel lucky to be back to almost as active as before and seem to tolerate prednisolone quite well, apart from chunkier waist line!!
When I cut carbs it was the waistline that lost the padding first. I think that was the worst bit of the weight gain - I'd never not had a waist before! It seems to be the standard shape these days - if I get jeans to fit my hips they are about 2 inches too big on the waist!
I have to admit I am a bit jealous of you. I'm 10 years younger then you and was diagnosed one month after you and have been struggling to get below 11 mg for a while now. But I think you've got some good advice here. I particularly liked the idea of going up to 10 mg for a few days and then dropping back down to 7.5 mg. Good luck to you.
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