I have been following the posts but not posted myself since September. As a recap, I was diagnosed in June 2017 with pmr and started on 15 mg of Prednisolone. Referred to a Rheumatologist and decreasing by 1 mg monthly from 10 mg. I am now on 7 mg and due to reduce to 6 mg in 2 weeks. Apart from antibiotics for a cold that went to my chest and fatigue at times Not feeling too bad. Some aches on initial reduction but appears to subside after a few days.
Had a blood test today as my GP was worried about a raised white cell count but it has improved and everything else appears to be within normal limits. I eat most things and try to eat a balanced diet as I love food and find it difficult to cut out carbs. Before diagnosis I had lost 6 lbs but have now regained it. Today I noticed that I have started to grow sideburns. Why would this happen at this stage and not when I was on a higher dose of pred? My GP is keen for me to be off the pred within the next 7 months. This would be lovely but also aware of taking it slowly. Anybody else troubled by facial hair?
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Mitziecat
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Yes I think it has been the subject of discussion on here before. Both the loss of it in some areas and the appearance of it in other areas, not the areas we would choose. It is apparently a possible side effect of Pred but also another delight for post Menopause women. Easily remedied these days. Definitely noticed more peachy fuzz. I am quite fair so it's not too bad. Perhaps Pred has a last grab at you before it goes.
Focus on " not feeling too bad" and being beautiful you.
Thank you for your kind comments. I am focusing on being positive and feel quite lucky that I am currently still able to do most day to day things. Have appreciated it more since my diagnosis. Onwards and upwards 😀
Ahh.. the joys of Pred and getting older... but facial hair can be dealt with quite easily nowadays - just one more thing to think about 😉
Your GP may be keen to get you off Pred, but you might like to remind him/her it’s not their choice but PMR’s - politely of course!
As you are getting to the level that some find difficult because of adrenal glands you might like to consider a slower taper ( if you don’t already) and/or a 0.5mg drop.
Thank you DL for your response and the information. I remember reading the information when it was posted. I am a little anxious about any return of symptoms as I reduce but have gained advice on what to do if I think that it is a flare and not just withdrawal symptoms.
I have a Reumatologist appointment in December & will discuss it with him. Will use the slow taper method if necessary.
Why can’t doctors understand that getting off pred is not their decision but that of your PMR? It doesn’t matter how keen they are you should no longer take it.
"My GP is keen for me to be off the pred within the next 7 months"
Well bully for him - it isn't his PMR nor his body - and PMR takes orders from no-one. As long as the cause of the PMR is active you will need pred to manage the symptoms. No ifs or buts... PMR lasts for anything from 2 to 6 years for 75% of us, the rest are longer not shorter.
You have reduced very quickly to get from 15 to 7 since June - so the hair growth is reflecting what happened a few months ago, it doesn't happen instantaneously. I found my epilator a boon for the dark beard I developed with Medrol!! It all went away again...
Thank you for your comment & I am being vigilant regarding any returning symptoms. In fairness to my GP she is very thorough and if I had any problems she would work with me for treatment. I was diagnosed by her within a week of presenting with symptoms and referred by the second week for a Reumatologist appointment.
I have an open mind with this diagnosis. Not pinning my hopes on being off the medication in a specified time. Just grateful that each time I reduce, no major symptoms & able to do most day to day things. It makes you appreciate what was taken for granted before.
Thank you. I try to focus on the positives like being able to do daily thinks without pain or discomfort. Have been told that it is not too noticable. There are alot worst things in life 😀
I have a peachy fuzz where I never had before- on the sides of my face. It doesn't particularly bother me - I just don't look too closely or in a very magnified mirror in sunlight!! I'm also constantly been told how well I look!!! ( we all seem to have this) One downside of not looking too closely though was the huge black hair that seemed to appear overnight just below the chin. I also didn't notice it until I had come back from meeting friends. I did ask my husband why he hadn't told me!! He said he hadn't noticed. The moral of this story is check yourself don't rely on husbands!
Yes I was horrified when I noticed my sideburns and around my cheeks also my chin and this only happened when I reduced from 10 to 9 so I bought some facial hair remover the hair has gone but I ended up with very sensitive skin which is gradually easing
I also noticed it when I reduced to 8 mg. decided to leave well allne at the moment. Sometimes if hair is removed it can grow back thicker inless done by laser. Thank you for your reply.
Yup, not only do I have hamster cheeks but I have further to match!!!! Just hoping when I get below 10 things start to improve. Could be worse, it's not going to kill me!!!!!
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query about pred and surgery
query about attendance allowance.
Query about ESR please.
Query on hair growth and unusual cessation of perspiration 
