Hi folks,
So pleased to have found this forum!
I was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago and have already discovered prednisolone side effects are more than this panda can handle. Does anyone have experience of other medication or ways of relieving symptoms? Any advice would be very welcome.
Thank you
PMRPanda
Yes, it is difficult to get your head around it all. You will 'handle it' once you learn how to. Knowledge is Power. It is scary at first and there is a lot to take in. You have started a journey that none of us ever thought we would have to undertake. PMR is an Auto-immune illness. You have found this site and when you have the time, read the 'pinned posts' list on the right hand side.
Hopefully your medics should have explained to you the symptoms to watch out for for GCA its big sister.
Ask any question you want to, someone will always be able to help.
1: Visit this link and read (and if you want to download) BSR Diagnosis and Treatment of PMR. pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk/as...
2: Currently there is no known cause or cure.
3: Prednisolone is the only drug that will control the inflammation.
4: practicalpainmanagement.com....
5: No other medication will touch the pain.
6: What dose did you start on and what are you on now.
Enough for now, methinks.
Hello, and welcome to the forum! There are things you can do to minimise the side effects of pred, but there is no other medication that will help with the PMR symptoms themselves.
Reduce carbs, sugar and processed foods - that's the best advice for avoiding the pred side effects!
Hi, and welcome,
Short answer - no!
Longer answer - jinasc has addressed, but some foods do “help” a little - a non inflammatory diet, cutting down on refined foods, some say turmeric or ginger also helps with inflammation- but only helps!
Side effects will diminish as your body grows acclimatised to the drug.
When you feel strong enough - have a look at this as well as links provided by jinasc-
Thank you so much for the warm welcome.
I have stopped the pred. It really was that bad! Like many, I am in a situation where I have to work, and I couldn't function due to the side effects, let alone hold down a job. I'm not ruling it out in the future if my symptoms get worse.
It seems that this condition is about a very delicate balancing act. Hopefully I will get the hang of it. In the meantime it's so good to know I'm not alone.
The disability without the pred may be worse!
What are the side effects you are suffering?
Hello Panda 🐼 Welcome 🌸
As Mary has asked what side effects are you having? What dose of Prednisolone were you prescribed?
MrsN
Mary 63:
Migraines. Acid reflux - my throat is red and raw. Constipation. Pressure in left eye. Dizziness and drowsiness. Couldn't even eat to take my pred on day 8, just spent 24 hours in bed in the dark taking sips of water whenever I woke up.
You wrote "Pressure in left eye". Did you tell your GP about this pressure?
Please scroll down and read PMRpro post below on this thread, especially in relation to the risk of GCA.
You can lose partial or total sight with undiagnosed GCA and once it is gone, if is gone.
Sorry to be blunt but you really need to understand the risks.
I was on 15mg.
That seems very extreme - even for Pred. Poor you. Have you discussed with doctor, or just stopped of your own volition?
Thank you DorsetLady. I saw my GP the next day (yesterday). He took the time to go through the pros and cons, checked for signs of GCA, offered to sign me off work and give me anti-sickness meds. In the end he respected my decision to stop, prescribed me cocodamol, and is writing to the rheumatologist for further advice.
Hi, my rheumy diagnosed my PMR and gave me a shot of Pred. For 8 days, I was dizzy, tired, unable to get up and also vomited, besides being in great pain from the PMR. I used Phenegran which knocked out the dizziness and vomiting. Rheumy put me on 15 mgs of Prednisone and I felt normal within hours.
Like jinasc wrote, the pinned topics at the top right are helpful!
All the best.
Thanks DianeA1. I tried prochlorperazine but not heard of phenegran. Might be worth a go
I believe some people cannot tolerate pred, whether they are allergic or something I don't know. However I think hydrocortisone is sometimes used in such cases, although I can't find anything on the internet. It isn't as strong and needs to be taken several times a day which makes it less convenient, but it could be tolerated more easily than pred. I'm sure I've read of at least one person who was taking hydrocortisone. Like pred, after long term use (more than a few weeks) it needs to be tapered carefully.
There are no other medications for PMR unless you happen to be in the right place with the right (or wrong) sort of insurance in the USA.
If you share your adverse effect problems you will get plenty of suggestions for managing them. Most of them can be minimised or eliminated when you know how. Honestly. What dose were you started on? Whatever it is you won't be there for ever.
Believe me - no pred can be even worse if you have to work. And also, remember that not taking pred and allowing the inflammation to run riot increases your risk of developing PMR's big brother GCA by 7 times. If you develop GCA you will have a pretty stark option: take much higher doses of pred (40-60mg/day is typical, may be higher) or risk losing your sight permanently. That definitely isn't helpful when working.
Hi l like you have terrible side effects to prednisone the insomnia is the worst, any suggestions Please.
I suggest you start a new thread with your question - a lot more people will see it that way. I can't help I fear - I take 15mg at present, doesn't have the slightest effect! In fact, I slept far worse with untreated PMR than I ever have with higher doses of pred.
Prednisolone...
Prednisolone
Alternatives to Adcal
WHEN TO TAKE PREDNISOLONE
Blurred vision - alternatives to Tocilizumab
