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[storm1234]

l have diabetes 2 also pmd lm on 2 types of insulin & & 30 mg of prednisone, which l have been on for 5 months, l am having problems with my eyes ( very foggie ) is there any thing else l can take instead of prednisone.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi storm1234,

Unfortunately Pred is the only drug that will control the inflammation caused by your PMR.

Not sure, but are you saying you have been on 30mg of Pred for the whole 5 months?

If so that’s unusual, normally the initial dose you are on for about a month, and then you taper. Plus 30mg is quite a high starting point for PMR - any particular reason for that’s?

The fogginess is probably due to the high amount of Pred, and should diminish as you taper your dose.

A bit more info might help us to answer mo accurately.

[Hidden]

Hi storm1234

I have type 2 diabetes pre-existing pmr diagnosis but was on 15mg at highest. Having controlled diabetes through diet metforformin and gliclazide for many years the pred pushed hba1c to 114 within a few months and into insulin. My eyes were very blurry on 15mg so 30mg will probably cause eyes to worsen. As dorsetlady says 5months in 30mg seems a long time for PMR. Have you spoken to Dr about the dose, your diabetes and your eyes? You need to get support from gp and diabetes clinic as soon as possible. Are you on low carb diet?

[storm1234 in reply to Hidden]

no but l will look into it thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No - corticosteroids are the only generally available option for managing PMR and GCA.

Actemra/tocilizumab is approved in the USA for GCA but not yet for PMR although there are rheumies using it for PMR - but it is very expensive ($17K for the shots, $40K for infusions in hospitals).

However - I would suggest you find a competent doctor. 30mg/day is a nothing dose - the maximum starting dose for PMR is suggested as 20-25mg and you would start to taper after a month or so. After 5 months you would expect to be at more like 10mg, possibly even lower. In the case of GCA you would start at 40mg and also start to taper after a month or so, after 5 months you should be below 15mg.

Have you checked with your optician whether you have dry eyes? That can also cause blurry vision.

[storm1234]

Thank you all for your response, i starter off on 2 tablet and taped down to 1/2 , pain came back pretty strong & now im back up to 1& 1/2 tablets a day, my bc numbers have been like a rollercoaster low as 53 high as 303, l was supposed to have cataract surgery last November but was told to hold off for a wile, l went to see the eye doctor last week and he was concerned about the amount of prednisone im taking,so lm on a stronger eye drop , l see him again in 2 weeks. also l dont no if its in my head or not but a have an odor any one else noticed that or am l going crazy.?