Translation "Not too bad"

[Nuff1]

Husband is the one wih PMR/GCA - not very computer literate and I chart his Pred reduction rate on simple spreadsheet.

When I ask him how his limbs and joints are feeling the answer is "Not too bad"

So do I wait for "Could be better" or what??

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Very difficult to say....you could ask “do you feel well enough to try a small reduction?” - and see his reaction.

These illnesses are not predictable, and no one can guarantee their reduction rate. We are given a plan to taper and for some it works...for others it doesn’t. Sometimes you just have to take a punt and see what happens.

But normal rate would be about every four or five weeks at each dose, and then reduce (provided you feel okay) - preferably by not more than 10% of current dose.

He may feel a bit off colour for a day or two at the new dose, but that should wear off as body gets used to reduced amount.

Early days it’s a bit frightening to reduce, but if you don’t try you won’t know whether it’s going to work or not!

[Mary63]

What dose did he start on? And when? And what dose is he taking now? Did he ever at higher doses imply he felt quite good?

Mary

[SnazzyD]

When I used to work, eliciting meaningful information from the “not too bad” type patients was a challenge. I found that asking questions that could be answered yes or no helped. For example, very basic is, “can you get up the stairs without pain? The more specific to the person and their life the better. Asked the same set of questions so that changes can be spotted. The down side is that they get fed up with the 20 questions game.

[Nuff1 in reply to SnazzyD]

I was in similar siuation to you - OT working in NHS and Social Services alternately., very dependant on observation.

[Mrs-CJ]

I started a symptoms and prednisone dosage diary when I was diagnosed with PMR....almost 6 years ago now. Each day I give myself a number for how I am feeling. I use a scale of 1-10 and I’m most frequently a 6 or 7 (you could also interprets this as feeling 60%, etc.). perhaps your husband would find this a useful measurement.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Don't be daft - this is a male we're talking about!! They are always hopeless at assessing how they are - even mine who was a healthcare professional and has had cancer twice!

[Nuff1 in reply to PMRpro]

Definitely!!! The reason why I was wondering re translation..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nuff1]

There isn't a dictionary!!!!