Reducing

[Robinsnest72]

Think this was on before but not sure. I am presently reducing and have never really been totally pain free as I have arthritis. I am now at 4mg. Able to function fine but hurt a lot. If I take a Tylenol and it makes the aches go away does this mean it is not my PMR? It is nothing like when I first got it. I remember I could never put a pullover on without it hurting.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

From my experience I would suggest more likely to be arthritis. The pain from that is masked by higher doses of Pred - but it doesn’t mean it’s gone - it’s still there and probably degenerating without you realising it.

If Tylenol is helping - it’s not PMR.

[Blearyeyed]

It doesn't mean you are not still suffering with some PMR , but a relief from Tylenol ( or Paracetamol ) does suggest that you are experiencing and feeling more of your Arthritis pain now you are on lower doses of Pred and will need to have some sort of regular Pain Medication or Self Care for that .

Keep taking the Tylenol and using rest and Arthritis health care for a few more days and see how you feel from there.

[HeronNS]

I concur, if acetaminophen is working it is extremely unlikely to be PMR. I have the same doubts sometimes myself, but OA is definitely on my plate again even while PMR appears to be waning.

With OA the last thing we want is to raise pred unnecessarily, as apparently pred, like nsaids, interferes with cartilage regeneration. Of course with PMR we do need to take what is really needed.

[dancersize2]

I agree with all the above and am in a similar position. Down to 1.5mg pred but still niggles especially in hands at the moment. Each day I decide if I need to take panadol oesteo to be able to function well for what I need to do. I also take a combined magnesium, calcium and vit D most days and think that also helps with the arthritis pain. I'm also on Methotextrate which has helped me get down to where I am. I did have one day when I suddenly thought, No Pain at all! That's what it feels like, but that didn't last long.