Flare after Pred?

[kezzybabes]

I’ve happily been off Pred for 8 months now and life (and weight) back to normal. However having just come back after 3 months in very hot Oz to very cold Scotland I have started feeling the familiar aches in my shoulders, groin, buttocks and feet (oh no I cry!!!!!!) and before I head to GP, who may slap me with a Pred prescription again, I thought I’d ask folks if this could be extreme temperate change that’s causing this or PMR coming back. If it is a flare, how long do they usually last? I was diagnosed in 2016 and in Pred for 3 years.

[Rosbud]

Fingers crossed, it’s just after holiday weariness but please see your GP x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your symptoms - which do sound suspiciously like PMR.

If that’s what they are, I doubt very much they are going to go away of their own accord.

You might find a short sharp dose of Pred for a couple of weeks is enough to see them off before things become too bad......worth a try.

But you also have to be aware that your PMR may never have gone into remission completely, and has taken 8 months to resurface - and that just a small regular dose may be required again.

Whatever, you need to see GP and discuss options for sooner rather than later.

[kezzybabes in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. I’ll bite the bullet and make that appointment tomorrow 😞

[carolBF]

I also felt the same when I returned from Oz in December, however I am still on 7mg Pred

It took 6 weeks to feel better with not raising steroids. I am still feeling the cold

Hope you feel better soon

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wouldn't leave it - I know a few whose symptoms resurfaced after that sort of length of time. You don't say how long you have been back - could it still be the travel or is that a few weeks ago? Cases have a lot to answer for!

It may well be that if you pounce quickly you get away with a very low dose - 1 or 2mg may be enough if it is just the original PMR still there. But how long do flares last? How long is a piece of string?

[kezzybabes]

Back since 7 feb so not long.

Should I just pop a couple of mg from my Pred leftovers for a week or so then?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kezzybabes]

Difficult to say - although knowing it goes with pred (or not) might be useful info for the GP.

Are you aware if the symptoms are getting worse or improving - which if it was just due to travel should be the case?

[kezzybabes]

Getting slightly worse... but nothing like 3 years ago.

[Hidden]

I presume you have tried otc and rest?

I was dx around the same time so glad you have had a bit of you time. But Dr's to nip in the bud. At least you know what's happening this time so can direct the gp. Let us know... I was dx around the same time.... Hope its just travel and weather issues. 👍🤞

[kezzybabes]

Me too! 🤞

[SheffieldJane]

The cold and damp won’t help, neither will the long flight. I wonder if a short-term boost of Pred could zap it? Then straight off it again.

[kezzybabes]

Yes I think a doc visit imminent - even just to get an ESR count... if they’ll do one.

[Pipistrelle]

A friend who is a retired orthopaedist had a flare a few months after he came off preds for his first bout of PMR--he went back on for a few months and that resolved it. This was years ago and he's never had it back.