Rheumy's Got a Plan!

Last night's, first visit, to the Rheumy left me feeling a bit more in control, informed, and hopeful! She seemed knowledgable, confident, open to work collaboratively with me and best of all, she has a plan to start me "tapering." I will reduce my Prednisolone by 5 mg each week (starting today) until the middle of February, at which point I will be at 30 mg per day. At that point we will slow things way down; look at blood results and decide from there how slowly the "tapering" will continue. Tomorrow I will have an abdo and pelvic ultrasound, a chest x-ray and in near future a cardiac echo (I have a Mitral Valve Prolapse) and a bone density test. We meet again on Feb 9th to discuss all. She is 99% confident I have both PMR and GCA based on my past medical history, recent symptoms, and the fact that I positively responded to the steroids within <24 hours and symptoms have been controlled since. I have no way of really knowing if this is a viable plan, but her confidence, implied knowledge and experience with both diseases prompted me to give her my trust. Fingers crossed.

[yogabonnie]

So glad your feeling better and symptoms are controlled. THAT is huge!

[SheffieldJane]

Sounds to me like you’ve hit the jackpot with your Rheumie. That is half the battle. There is really no other way she could give you a definitive diagnosis. Response to Pred is key and the symptom picture of course.

You see, you are already beginning the long journey home.

Take care and Seasons Greetings to you and yours.

[Rimmy]

Your specialist sounds pretty good - the 'collaboration' word is a real marker for getting the very best treatment you can - someone who knows how to listen. Hopefully you can relax a little now and enjoy the forthcoming festive season -

Best wishes

[Insight329]

Just having the words taper and slow used in a sentence together by your doc makes me happy and hopeful for you.

[Jackoh]

All sounds really good. You need to hold onto her!!

[Sandy1947]

So glad you have a plan. I hope it all works well. Just a word of caution, this illness does not always follow a linear progression. People on the forum plus your Rheumy will guide you along the way. No rush is the new normal. Keep writing, it helps us all!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sounds a good start - my only concern would be that 5mg every week is pretty fast if the GCA is still active and at that rate you might miss the "right" dose for now as you get lower. But fingers crossed it works - because the sooner you are able to reduce the easier it is likely to be although there are no guarantees!