My dad has PMR

[irishlass-1]

Hi there, I joined the forum a while back as my dad was diagnosed with PMR in approx November. He’s 85 and it’s really knocked him for 6. He is also feeling very low mood wise as he tries to come to terms with not being able to be his usual active self. He was on 15 mg of prednisone at first, but he was ill before Christmas so they lowered his dose to 6mg (GP thought he was ill due to a reaction to the steroids). He is still on the 6 mg, but isn’t doing well at all. Having read a lot of the posts on here, 6mg seems very low - and to suddenly come down from 15 doesn’t seem right either. Could I have your opinions on this please? Dad isn’t the type to go to the GP, so it would be great to try and learn a bit more about how he can manage PMR. Thanks

[GerriMc]

I’m not one of the experts but that seems wrong to me. It’s really not a good idea to drop that quickly. Did he see a Rheumatologist or just a GP? I’d be looking for a second opinion. I’m sure one of the experts here will have some good advice. Hope he gets sorted.

[SnazzyD]

It would be interesting to know what symptoms made the GP think it was an adverse reaction to the steroids. To drop to 6mg was unkind (some of these docs should try it) and if he was that worried about adverse reaction to steroids to do that, then he needs to refer dad to a rheumatologist because he is unable to follow the normal protocol for PMR treatment. Did 15mg help him by the way?

[Hidden]

Sorry to read about your Dad & that was a big drop even though he hadn’t been on them long & why 6mg as oppose to 5mg when it would only be one tablet, very odd!

I think it’s time to return to see GP with your Dad for further discussion & a referral to a Rheumatologist.

Best Wishes

MrsN

[Bronni]

If he was on 15 mg of prednisone for, what sounds like a month and then dropped to 6mg, I can imagine how poorly he’s doing. He needs a doctor that truly understands pmr or you’ll have to help him armed with the info you get from this site - and there’s lots of very valuable info here. He probably needs to increase his dose, but you should discuss with his doctor. Most of us know the depression of not being able to function like we used to, but if it is pmr and he gets on the correct dosage, he will feel much better. Good luck.

[paulst955]

You need him to see a different doctor the one he has is an idiot.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not a lot to add to what's been said - just to emphasise that GP is not treating his patient and what he did was cruel for lack of a better word. I would be extremely surprised if 6mg was managing the inflammation and if it isn't, it isn't worth taking it at all as the inflammation will just build up until it causes the same symptoms as at the start.

As Snazzy says - what did he think was due to pred and was it really a problem. And why hasn't he referred him to an expert - or are you really in Ireland? The waiting time for rheumies in NI is well over a year I believe!

[irishlass-1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your reply PMRpro. I'm in Northern Ireland and the waiting time is 6 months, he's on the list. The thing is, it's hard enough to get him to go to the GP, never mind question their authority.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to irishlass-1]

Oh yes - appreciate THAT! He's male! And of a generation that still thinks doctors are next to god...