I was diagnosed with PMR in December 2018. I was put on s streriod 6 day pack that seem to help for the first 3 days then I would not feel good days 4,5,6. My primary allowed me to refill this 2 more times with the same results. He then put me on prednisone 5 mg after 3 days I said this was not working he said take 2 pills a day. It seemed to work but I continued to have stiffness and man. Finally in February got to see a specialist he requested more blood work and updated my dosage to 30 mg. Today before even taking 30 mg. I felt great all day no pain or stiffness. I am not sure why some days I feel perfectly normal and why other days I cannot move getting in and out of the car is horrible. Even getting over a curb is difficult. Any ideas on what I should do or things I should do
Thanks
Written by
jensen0518
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
When I had my diagnosis I saw put on 15mg pred for a week to see the results before starting the long road down to 5mg.
To me you start looked low, but somebody with more knowledge will be here to give you good advice.
Once I was on 15mg the pain and stiffness reduced, but it took me a long time to be able to walk any distance again. Getting in and out of the car improved after a while, but not as long as the walking. The pain of trying to step up a curb, I remember that well, was easier with my right foot, but had to concentrait on raising my foot heigh enough to clear the curb.
Good luck in getting to the bottom of you issues so that you can start the road to recovery.
I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. Standard dosage for PMR is 15 to 20 mg for 3 to 4 weeks then to start reducing by 10 % every 2 to four weeks. You should consult with a rheumatologist who are better equipped to deal with PMR then a primary care provider. Good Luck
The last 2 days have been back to normal it is like I can do everything. I can easily get in and out of the car things that were almost impossible 2 days ago I can do the simple things putting on shirt, walking up steps, stepping over a curb. I registered for a 10 mile race in May I hope I can do it.
I think your body needs to settle down after this unusual early treatment ie you probably need a period of stability on the 30 mgs before embarking on a slow taper down of maybe 2.5 once a week, twice a week and so on until you arrive at 20 mgs. You can expect about 70% relief of pain and stiffness at least. You must help this process along by pacing your activities and resting a lot. You are still ill. Pred is keeping the inflammation, pain and stiffness under control. It is in no way a cure. Good luck. I hope this makes sense. Lots of tapering guidance can be found here.
The last 2 days have been back to normal it is like I can do everything. I can easily get in and out of the car things that were almost impossible 2 days ago I can do the simple things putting on shirt, walking up steps, stepping over a curb. I registered for a 10 mile race in May I hope I can do it.
It wasn't a good start with your dosage. Seems sense has prevailed now you're on a higher more consistent dose. As already said you will have better days than some and not to overdo things. Listen to your body and give it plenty of TLC - it will repay you in kindness.
The last 2 days have been back to normal it is like I can do everything. I can easily get in and out of the car things that were almost impossible 2 days ago I can do the simple things putting on shirt, walking up steps, stepping over a curb. I registered for a 10 mile race in May I hope I can do it.
And isn't that just a glorious feeling? I started with this PMR lark around April 2017, now down to 2.5 mg a day (with occasional blips) but can still remember the awful pain when it all started! I'd listen to Dorset Lady - a very knowledgeable lady - and I hope you continue to feel much improved.
Welcome. You can find so much info on this site to answer your questions. In addition to the advice you have already received, check it out for info on anti-inflammation diets, supplements to help your bones, and resting. All the best!
The last 2 days have been back to normal it is like I can do everything. I can easily get in and out of the car things that were almost impossible 2 days ago I can do the simple things putting on shirt, walking up steps, stepping over a curb. I registered for a 10 mile race in May I hope I can do it.
I wonder if you have had a different sort of PMR - PMR is only the name given to a set of typical symptoms that are due to an underlying disorder. There are several that can cause PMR-type symptoms, ours is most probably an autoimmune vasculitis. The autoimmune disorder can start overnight - so it can also go into remission overnight. There is some suggestion there is a version of PMR that is similar to reactive RA, it happens in response to something else, runs its course and then disappears as suddenly as it arrived.
The other possibility is that this isn't PMR as we talk about it - but a form of palindromic rheumatism with a polymyalgic presentation. PR can come and go, sometimes attacks only last a few hours or are in a single joints and then disappear.
But whatever dose you are on it seems to be enough for the moment - no need for 30mg.
It's less different types (although I think there are different types of PMR that are different in duration and how they respond) as there being different underlying causes of a set of symptoms as I said in that reply. Those are what should be investigated before choosing the diagnosis of PMR as we discuss here - they include some cancers as well as some forms of inflammatory arthritis.
It is a vasculitis - probably very similar to giant cell arteritis - but it doesn't involve anything besides the soft tissues around the joints which then seems to transfer the effects to the muscles further away. GCA can also affect the large blood vessels in the trunk but not organs as far as I know. Takayasu's arteritis does involve organs I think and is very similar to GCA but only affects younger (mainly) women. If organs are involved, then it is classified as a different disease.
That is really helpful thankyou. I was recently diagnosed in June so have tried to find out as much as I can. Currently doing well , in part due to the enormous amount of information and experiences shared on this site. Thankyou .
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Dr says RA not PMR
To doubt or not to doubt
PMR or Not
Weight loss as a symptom of PMR ? 
