Update “not sure if it is PMR“

[Urtica]

Phoned for an appointment this morning, was told my GP on holiday so was given a slot with nice young (still training) GP. We decided as there had been slight improvement on 15mg (now day 17) it might possibly be PMR. He was running over one hour late and was the only GP there. We agreed a drop to 10mg for 4 weeks and he arranged to see me again then to discuss dropping to 5mg for 4 weeks then slow weekly reduction if all ok. He also prescribed Omeprazole for my stomach. I am sure last time round I was given these and stopped taking then but I can’t remember why.

Also had an appointment with osteopath today which seems to have improved movement and pain so shall have to wait and see if it lasts.

Just to round off the day I went out with our dog who was playing with another Labrador type. It knocked into my legs (not particularly hard) and I tottered backwards and fell down on the grass. No damage but for some reason I felt quite tearful which really is not like me! Definitely a nice glass of wine 🍷 is in order I think.

[Hidden]

Yikes. Falls always make me tearful and stiff the next fews days. I had 3 on a lead and one wrapped her lead round my legs. Splat. Ouchy. One bit of research said an increase in pred and no reduction I am afraid!

I hope the dr works it all out for you. But you could point out it cost no more to prescribe coated pred so you don't need a ppi.

In the meantime.... Rest and yes have some wine.... And more tears if you need to. 💜

[Urtica in reply to Hidden]

I am happy to decrease but time will tell. Since being back at 15mg my head is so muddled and I feel very emotional at times and no miracle cure this time.

[Hidden in reply to Urtica]

I hope it makes you feel better when you reduce. It's never nice when you don't quite feel yourself. And you always do 2.5mg drops if 5mg does work.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I really would suggest that you go via 12.5mg - 5mg is a BIG drop all at once.

[Urtica in reply to PMRpro]

Drop to 10mg for 4 weeks then if ok down to 5mg.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Urtica]

That is the sort of reduction that is used in short term use of pred - and that rarely works well in PMR. Smaller steps are better - even 2,5mg is too much for some. And you really need to stay at a higher dose until the symptoms are stable and, if it applies, the blood markers are at least falling steadily and preferably down to lower levels and stable.

[Urtica in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry just realised what you meant by drop of 5mg

[Maisiek]

I was recommended to drop to 12.5 after 2 weeks at 15: it was horrendous/ this forum gave me the confidence to go back to 15 and now after 6 weeks I’ve dropped to 12.5 no problem. A blood test showed I still had a high count. I also had a massive fall on wet tiles: hard to tell what was PMR and what was bruised coccyx and head but that’s better now. I’m sure the experts here can advise you: the doctors just read it off the screen 😰 good luck!

[Urtica in reply to Maisiek]

Just replied to myself instead of you - see below. I told you my brain wasn’t working today !

[Hidden in reply to Maisiek]

I am hoping that you never ever fall again... But just chucking this out there in case others reading this thread do fall....

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Maisiek in reply to Hidden]

Thank you , that’s really interesting:

I was right to be on the higher dose.

[Omanain in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for this Scoopitup. Another very good reason to be careful!

[Urtica]

Last time I dropped to 12.5mg but as there seems to be some doubt as whether it is PMR this time I agreed to 10mg. I shall certainly report back if shoulder pain gets worse.