Is this a coincidence ?

[Jud666]

I have PMR and have been doing the dead slow stop reduction of prednisolone, now on 3mg and starting to reduce to 2.5mg. All going well until I had a flare of ulcerative colitis this weekend. IBD was diagnosed in spring 2016, and on medication no flares for two and a half years. Sorry here comes the question !!! My IBM nurse thinks the flare could be due to reduction of steroid, which can keep symptoms at bay. As both problems are inflammatory diseases I wondered if anyone else had any of the same issues, thank you.

[SheffieldJane]

I am sorry that this happened to you. What your nurse has said makes sense. However, any illness seems to increase PMR symptoms. My own successful taper came to a screeching halt following a chest infection. I am on 6 mgs and hoping to be able to get away with not increasing. I am resting/ sleeping a great deal. There is no doubt that the stiff, funny walk has returned and there has been loss of flexibility. I was diagnosed with PMR in March 2016. I worry less about 5 mgs and less of Pred. The side effects are almost negligible. Stress increases both or your conditions. Have you had a period of stress too?

[Jud666 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you for replying, I don't feel stressed, I have a fairly chilled life !

[SnazzyD]

Sounds like a very reasonable assumption. Colitis is also sometimes treated with Pred so you were probably getting two for the price of one.

[Jud666 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you for that, I was hoping to be fighting one battle. So it's right back to basics with diet and fingers crossed

[PMRpro Ambassador]

She is quite correct and I have heard of others with similar problems. I'd be back at the dose I was good at! If under 5mg keeps the UC at bay too - what's to object to? BOGOF...

You might find this interesting:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/226...

because it would fit with your history too.

[Jud666 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, the link was very interesting.

[Rugger]

So sorry to hear this, Jud. Have you gone back to 3mg or more to see if that helps the UC? Get plenty of rest, too.

Hoping things will settle down for you soon and you'll be well enough to come to the Leeds meet-up next month.

[Sandy1947]

So sorry you are unwell. I was recently diagnosed with spinal stenosis with pain down my left left leg from knee to ankle. The orthopedist thinks the decrease in Pred to 3 mg is causing the inflammation to appear. He put me on mobic which caused fluid retention so I went off. PT helps.

Feel better!