I'm New Here

[Granbee]

I will be 80 in a few weeks time, and was diagnosed with PMR five weeks ago. GP started me on 15mg Pred. Had a slow response, but this last week has seen a big improvement. Due to have more blood tests in a week, and then see GP the week after for results. I suspect he will start to talk about tapering. I would like to read up on DSNS - not sure what that stands for. Can anyone suggest where I can find some reading matter on this. Thanks in advance.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This was one post PMRpro put up re DSNS - (dead slow and nearly stop!)

healthunlocked.com/lupusuk/...

Here’s a similar one I produced -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Good luck

[PMRpro Ambassador]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

This is a link to the original post on this forum describing a way I worked out to make reducing less unpleasant and which a lot of people have used successfully to reduce further than they were able to do using the options their doctors suggested.

If there is anything you don't understand please just ask. There are other versions - it isn't definitive - but this has been approved of by rheumatologists and an ethics committee as it is is being used in a clinical study in the UK.

[Granbee in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for this information. I am very apprehensive about tapering as it does seem it can be quite difficult. It's good to find out as much as you can, and then hope that you find the right solution for you. Thanks again.

[piglette in reply to Granbee]

Take it slowly and if you have any pain STOP. People are often so keen to get off pred they want to carry on reducing which is just a recipe to disaster if they are starting to have pain. If you take it slowly in small drops you should be fine.

[Granbee in reply to piglette]

Thanks so much for your advice and kind words.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Granbee]

It doesn't have to be difficult - don't just decide you MUST get off pred. Accept this is where you are and go SLOWLY. And be aware. As piglette says - then you should be fine.

[SheffieldJane]

So sorry about your diagnosis Granbee! I see that our wise ladies have given you the information you need. Slowly and little steps. Please keep in touch so we can help you with any hiccups along the way. Pace your activities and have plenty of rest.

[Yellowbluebell]

I was diagnosed at the end of September and my gp has said he wouldn't be looking to start any taper till January. As that’s when I see the Rheumatlogist he has said he will see me after that to discuss things. I dont understand why some doctors want you to reduce quickly and others don’t. Don’t let your gp rush you if you still have any symptoms.

[piglette in reply to Yellowbluebell]

The main aim is to get you on as low a dose that keeps the PMR under control. If you start at 20mg for example and you only need 15mg to keep the PMR under control it is sensible to reduce. If pred had no side effects we could stay on the same dose until the PMR went into remission. Unfortunately that is not the case. It would be nice if that were the case though!