Hi, this my first post.
I'm 3 years into PMR, have struggled to get below 8 mg press , so 5 months ago was given methotrexate. I've done quite well getting through 7 , then 6 mg preds.
But went to 5 preds on Sunday, today can hardly walk, pain levels and stiffness high. I thinking maybe as to increase Methotrexate to 25 mg, or would your advice be to go up with preds.
Should say preds!!
Pred. Its that thats changed. Very difficult going to 5mg. 4 attempts for me and still at 6mg with a dmard.
Hi don't increase mtx I am on 20mg and it does nothing for pmr, I have RA that's why I am on it, and I must admit I don't. know if it's doing anything so don't increase I agree with others increase pred. A lot of people are told mtx helps reduce pred, but I don't think it does
Sorry Blackcat, don’t agree. I have PMR and MTX has certainly helped me. It helped me get past 17.5 mgs of Pred where I was stuck for months. Each attempt to drop even 0.5 mg caused real problems. My Rheumy plots my CPR and ESR on a graph and there was a marked drop in both following introduction of MTX. I’m now down to 5 Pred and have no real side effects from the MTX. So, in my case, it’s doing its job.
Oh , BTW, I’m not saying Jancorb should increase MTX. I agree it’s the Pred that might need to be increased.
Its not the mxt treating pmr per se. But it has helped pred do its job. I am in the same position with a dmard. To the extent it has helped pred work well enough to reduce me from 14mg to 6mg without a flare, it has done it's job. Unlike pred a dmard isn't used by itself to treat PMR, or likely shouldnt be. However, once in pmr remission i suspect it can/will be touted as being used to suppress the immune system generally as in treatment if other arthritic conditions.
mtx does NOT replace pred although it MAY allow you to get to a lower dose. But then again, it may not. It doesn't work the same for everyone. It got you to 6mg - if it were me I would go back to that for now and (possibly) try again but with either 1/2mg or using one of the slowed approached to reduction we talk about on the forum:
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
At present you are trying to reduce by well over the 10% that is recommended and the lower you get, the higher that percentage becomes. This may be steroid withdrawal rheumatisim or it may be you have got to too low a dose. The only way to find out which is to repeat the experiment with a drop that should avoid the steroid withdrawal. If the symptoms return - it is too low a dose.
But do not increase your mtx without discussing it with your rheumatologist.
Thanks, I'm hoping the rheumi nurse will ring this afternoon. I've tried the very slow method of reduction several times but 8 mg was as good as I got. I agree, think I'm pushing myself to reduce, just fed up of all my different meds,
I had great difficulty reducing down from 8, but when I finally achieved it, to 7 then 6 was relatively easy. Couldn’t do 5, succeeded at 5.5, failed again at 5, did a quick 10,9,8,7,6 and stopping here on 6 til I feel back in control. (No mtx)
Thank you, my experience exactly. Not sure the MTX has made any difference. I'll go back to 10 then swiftly down to 6 and stay there.
I think a quick blast of pred is the better option. Don’t forget your R&R while you stabilise. Good luck.
Hi again, the rheumi nurse just rang, she suggests going back to 6 for a week then alternate days at 6 and 5 mg , if still problems they may increase the MTX to 25 mgs.
I personally would still give it a blast at 10mg and reduce to 6mg in the way Soraya-pmr suggests. You need to get it properly under control. I have been on 6mg for months and rheumy said to stay there. If you do a blast and stay at 6mg IF thats controls symptoms, you can try after you are sure you feel ok. If 6mg doesnt work i would discuss going to the dose you felt best at. Mxt like my dmard is jyst there to help squeeze the juice out of pred. At tbe moment it hasnt got enough pred to squeeze!
Thanks, I took another 5 mg preds this afternoon, feeling much better. It's so depressing to be reminded how awful this condition can make you feel. Slowly does it from now on,
It is. But a relief when pred works. Keep feeling better🌻
Glad you’re feeling better. You’ll soon be back to 6 then you can take stock again.
I’m going to try 5.5 again when I feel ready, and stick there a month. Think I was too hasty trying to get to 5 before.
Sorry but what is R&R?
Rest & Relaxation
Hi, rest and recuperation, we all need a bit of that.
Sorry, I shouldn’t abbreviate!
Rest, Relaxation, Recuperation.
Or, Reading and ‘Riting on the forum? 😉
😀😀😀
Hi
You must not increase your Methotrexate, it is not a drug to tinker with. 20mg is pretty much the standard dose as a Steroid Sparer.
You really should only be reducing in drops of 0.5mg of Pred now, the standard drop is by no more than 10%
If you were OK at 6mg go back until you settle then go down in 0.5mg drops.
MrsN
Thanks, that's exactly what I've been advised to do, the MTX I think got me over the 7 mg barrier, but I'm going to go back to 6 them very slowly down to 5.
It’s tough when you get to 7mg as we’re only taking the physiological dose, ie what we need if we didn’t have PMR
I got down to 5mg on Methotrexate from 18mg
I’m actually seeing a New Consultant next week to discuss the options as l’m back at 12.5mg from 7.5mg but l have been suffering from Kidney Infection(s) since December.
I hope you can settle back down & then continue reducing more slowly.
Good Luck 🍀
MrsN
Need to ask your doctor I think - good luck
I was stuck on 6mg pred for 6 months so rheumy added mtx. Have managed to drop 1/2mg each month to get to 4mg pred after 4 months. I'm considering reducing the mtx to 10 to see if it makes any difference. I'd suggest going to 7mg for a week then try the slow taper.
Thanks, I'm trying back at 6 then try 5.5 . It's cruel to be told initially that PMR often recovers after 2 years, not true. From what I've read most are still on medication for years.
Up the preds and when you try reducing again try alternating 6 5 6 5
Reducing from 6 mg to 5 mg
5 mg Pred
How to reduce below 5 mg
Down to 5 mg of prednisone 
