PMR where are you?

[Marie1479]

Recap, 1 week ago my Rheumatologist gave me a shot of Depo Medrol because I had a terrible flare due to tapering to quickly that affected not just the shoulders but the fingers and knees. She advised me to stay at my current dose of Rayos for 2 months along with Actemra. 2 days after the shot all the inflammation gone. As the days progressed I felt better and better. This is the first time I have absolutely no feeling of PMR. I feel 100% normal. I emailed my dr to see if she still wants me to not taper for 2 months.

[Nap1]

The Cortizone shots are wonderful for the entire body. Mine lasted two weeks. Why not wait it out a little longer until the effects of the shot wears off.

[Marie1479 in reply to Nap1]

Thank you! I forgot to ask my dr how long it would last.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marie1479]

Depends on the person. But Depot-medrol will be absorbed into the body over a few weeks and so you are on the equivalent of a higher dose of pred - Depot Medrol can be used to manage PMR instead of oral pred.

[Marie1479 in reply to PMRpro]

Is one more “safer” than another?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marie1479]

No, they are all medium-acting corticosteroids so have the same potential side effects. The advantage of Depot Medrol injections is there is less gastric irritation and you don't have to take tablets every day. However, as the dose shed from the depot injection falls off the symptoms start to return. Swings and roundabouts...

[Marie1479 in reply to PMRpro]

Ok then keeping me at dose for 2 months makes sense. I’m curious what the equivalent of an 80mg shot is to a prednisone dose?

[Marie1479 in reply to Marie1479]

Oh boy if the calculator is right, it’s 100mg of Prednisone! No wonder I feel great especially with no jitters.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Marie1479]

Not as a depot injection - it releases the steroid slowly over a period of time. The total will be equivalent to 100mg pred - nothing is lost, it is absorbed through the muscle.

But it is higher at the start and is in addition to what you are taking orally - so yes, you feel pretty good.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Stick to what your Rheumy originally advised, the shot you got is targeted at the area where received, but it doesn’t work exactly the same as your Rayos. Just enjoy the extra relief whilst you have it.

[Sandy1947]

So sorry you had a flare. I thought the illness was gone. Glad you got relief. I’m tapering to 12 mg starting Sunday, Rheumatlogist wants me to speed up reducing since blood work was good. Feeling much better but PMR lurks in early morning!