Just whining

[England05]

Have had PMR for 2 years and was at 8 mgs trying to go down but just hurt all the time then I went through treatment for skin cancer and was told steroids are not helping with this it can fuel the cancer and bring down my immune system. They are ok with 5mg but I am constantly in pain as I should be at a higher level I take pain meds that help but stuck between a rock and a hard place. Just want to feel like a normal person and not hurt all the time. Whine over....

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your skin cancer. There’s seems to be differing info regarding Pred and cancer - one study says longer term Pred treatment can be the cause of some cancers, but I wouldn’t say 2 years is long term. Another study quotes Pred being prescribed along side cancer drugs.

Looking at your previous posts you seem to have been around the 8mg level for a long time, or have you gone down and back up again?

Hopefully others who have been through cancer alongside PMR can give you advice, as you say, at the moment you are between a rock and a hard place, and that’s never good!

[England05 in reply to DorsetLady]

I did go down to 6mgs but seems a big difference between 5 and 6 for me. I guess am just tired of being tired and hurting. Seems for me I get my head around one thing only to get something else which has a connection to something else. My immune system is shot and so I got a cold that turned into pneumonia....see I am still whining...lol

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you need 8mg to manage the PMR - there is not really much point at all taking the 5mg. It just allows the inflammation to mount up and you have all the symptoms as if you weren't taking any at all. Pain meds don't work with PMR either.

I know pred can increase the risk of developing certain skin cancers - presumably that is what your doctors are saying?

Don't blame you having a whine - I think I would too.

[England05 in reply to PMRpro]

I didn't know that about the prednisone. I made an appointment with my doctor see if that helps. thanks for the info

[SheffieldJane]

I would have thought that you would be a suitable candidate for Actemra or at least one of the steroid sparing drugs that work for some people like Methotrexate. Please return to your doctors and demand that they investigate a way of helping you. I am at the same stage of PMR as you and can just imagine how much pain you must be in. Never mind whining, I would be howling! Are you under a Rheumatologist?

[England05]

yes and I see her tomorrow will mention that thanks