Reducing prednisone

[Maryfrombury]

I have been taking pred since August 2017 I started with 15 and reduced monthly down to 8 when the pain returned. I went back up to 8 then 9 and in Dec 15. I have gradually come down to 9 but in the last month have had pain in the top of my shoulder and can't decide if this is PMR or a pulled muscle, I also have pain in my left kidney area which is worst in the morning, I wonder if anyone else has had similar symptoms. I also read somewhere of a person who had reduced medication very slowly, starting 5 days on his regular dose and then 1 day reduced 1 mg then back to 4 days and so on. Does anyone know where I can find this information please. Regards Mary

[PMRpro Ambassador]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

This is the post where I describe the slow reduction I developed and which a lot of people have used successfully. You can start where you like - 1 day new dose, 6 days old dose or as low as 1 day new dose 3 days old dose. It all depends what suits you and you can manage. Hope it helps.

I wonder if you have muscle spasm in your shoulder and about waist level - I often get pain about kidney level when my back muscles are tight due to myofascial pain syndrome. It causes trigger points to form in pairs in the muscles on either side of the spine, in the shoulder muscles, about rib level and in the low back about where the baby's dimples are. The ones about rib level can cause sharp pains into the ribs and round about where the kidneys are. Myofascial pain syndrome is quite common in patient with PMR - it is caused by the same inflammatory substances except they are trapped in the hardened muscle fibres which form the trigger points and which can be felt a knots in the muscles.

[Maryfrombury in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks for your information, I will take it with me to today's appointment about reducing my meds. Regards Mary

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Or this. Similar but in slightly different format

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Maryfrombury in reply to DorsetLady]

Many thanks for all your information it is much appreciated

[Hidden]

Hi Mary

I have had the muscle on top from neck to shoulder hurt on both sudes and pain in back which I took to be kidney. I thought it might be what PMR shared miofacial syndrome but when I went back up to 12.5 from 11 it all went away. Go figure if it isn't one pain it's another. 😜

Linda

[Maryfrombury]

Thank you Lin we seem to have similar condition. I have an appointment with GP today and will discuss. Thanks again.