GCA Happy anniversary!

[DevonMichael]

A year to the day diagnosed with GCA and placed on 40mg of prednisolone. Today down to 3mg and no flare ups. Fingers crossed, I will not be celebrating a second anniversary, if the next three months continue the taper to zero! Phew ! What a relief that will be!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi DM,

Wow, that good going, well done!

As I said in reply to your first post, men do seem to get of lightly compared to ladies (sweeping generalisation there!) in respect of GCA/PMR.

Do hope things continue to progress apace, and you achieve your goal. If so, it will certainly give others hope!

Good luck.

[Brixhamhampster]

Well done Devon Michael you have done really well. It is also a year ago since I was diagnosed with PMR and started on 20 mg. Today I am on my first 2mg. Perhaps it is the Devon air which is helping as I am in Devon too, in Brixham. We are not out of the woods yet and must be very careful from now on. I am really listening to the wonderful people on this forum who have given so much advice. I know I would have been in real trouble without them. Hope all continues so well for you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Excellent!

[SheffieldJane]

Well done DevonMichael that is really good going. Any tips?

[DevonMichael in reply to SheffieldJane]

I cannot take any personal credit except being very disciplined on medication intake! My own timetable has been:-

After breakfast : prednisolone

30 minutes later : omeprazole (stomach protection)

Late morning : calcium tablet (bone protection)

After lunch : aspirin (thin blood)

Late afternoon : second calcium tablet (bones)

Late evening : simvastatin (pre-diabetic from prednisolone!)

[JulieR2]

Wow that is really amazing it is so inspiring to hear stories of those that go well. How did you taper? Did you use the dead slow method?

It would be good to know if you did anything else those earlier in the journey may try. I know we are all different but I really like collecting tips.

Julie

[DevonMichael in reply to JulieR2]

Really glad that my positive news has been useful to you and others on this supportive website. I am digging out my steroid record card and recording the steps so you and others can compare.

(I appreciate we are all different but it is helpful to know in comparison with your own plan) :-

21 June 2016 diagnosed GCA 40mg prednisolone

18 July 30mg

15 Aug 20mg

12 Sept 17.5mg

10 Oct 15mg

7 Nov 12.5mg

5 Dec 10mg

2 Jan 9mg

30 Jan 8mg

27 Feb 7mg

27 Mar 6mg

24 Apr 5mg

22 May 4mg

19 Jun 3mg one year on

And now planning 17 July 2mg, 14 Aug 1mg and 11 Sept 0

Scheduled to see rheumatologist November for discharge!!

Hope this detail helps!

[JulieR2 in reply to DevonMichael]

Thanks so much it does. I started on 9 this week so fingers crossed I can plan a way out. I started in Feb on 15 so doing ok I think😀

[Cinka in reply to DevonMichael]

Looks like my Wish List!

Love your confidence .. think it's rubbin' off!

Very Well Done, DevonMichael!

So inspiring!

All the very best for your continued good health! 😊🎊🎈

[Rokerman]

That's a heck of a result Michael - well done! For comparison, I started 15 months ago at 20mg for PMR and am now at 6mg, contemplating 5.5mg sometime soon!

Wishing you well to 'get over the line'....

[DevonMichael in reply to Rokerman]

Thanks, good luck to you too - on crossing the finishing line!

[Jackoh]

Well done DevonMichael- gives us all hope that the end or near end! will eventually come into sight

[camerashy]

That is great news...lets hope for the best

[Baileyw06]

Glad you have done so well,hope I can do the same.