My last DEXA scan at age 69 done via FRAX = mild osteopenia with 0% fracture in the next 10 years. Why do I need to taper at all when I was virtually pain free on 16 mg? I am 71 now.
It seems doctors are desperate to taper patients from steroids too fast for fear of harming bones?? And give a cell killing drug instead as a steroid sparing method.???
Seems crazy to me.
There are other long term effects of higher dose pred besides osteoporosis but a recent study has shown that with the sort of doses used for PMR the other effects are no different from what would be found in an age-matched population who are not on pred.
practicalpainmanagement.com...
However - this applies for doses below about 8mg - 16 is still pretty high and I have to say, despite being adamant I will take the dose I need to be comfortable, I wouldn't like to stay at 16mg indefinitely.
Hi
I also wish it WAS that simple - I have GCA as well as PMR and after 18 months feel pretty good at around 16mg - like you with almost zero pain. When I get to 15mg however I start to feel a few aches again - and in those 'PMR' type areas as opposed to the regular aches and pains one might expect as we age. But the research as posted by PMRpro seems much more positive for those at lower doses for shorter periods anyway. I am also relatively 'free' of side effects although my tummy is sensitive at times despite taking PPIs and eating yoghurt - no enteric coated pred in OZ . But I agree with you that the paranoia about Pred often seems to outweigh both its HUGE benefits (our quality of life TODAY being the main one) and the protective impacts it has from other possibly more 'sinister' consequences of long term serious inflammation in our bodies. I am very grateful for it - as we all must be given these wretched AI disesases. !!
Best wishes
Rimmy
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