I'm new to Healthunlocked and PMR. Just took GP recommended prednisone 50mg first dose today. Unable to get appt with Rheumatologist until June due to Covid 19 closures. I live in the U.S.
Until 2 weeks ago, I was in great physical condition but this morning, it was very difficult to get out of bed.
Looking forward to communicating with other folks who are fighting PMR.
Hello and welcome. 50mg is a whopping great dose for PMR (usually up to 25mg). Did they suspect GCA too, as this needs a dose like 50mg? Could you explain exactly what made it difficult to get out of bed? Presumably this was before your Pred was taken.
Good morning! GP prescribed 50mg for 5 days. He is not 100% certain I have PMR because my blood work came back negative. Only GCA symptom I have is jaw pain. My hips, core and shoulders were extremely stiff this morning. Took first prep dose 30 minutes after waking up.
Many of us were in good physical condition so understand the alarm about going from that to this. Some people never have raised inflammatory markers, so their positive response to Pred is often the only evidence in the face of no definitive test for PMR. Re your jaw pain, the classic GCA symptom with that is pain or jaw muscle fatigue upon chewing that improves with stopping chewing. 50mg dose may make you feel either wiped out or hyperactive or a mixture of both, sweaty, and after a few doses, very hungry. Many of us have avoided weight gain and diabetes by eating very low or no carb foods and very little salt. Anyway, it’s early days, but I found getting that started early was very beneficial.
What is supposed to happen after 5 days, report back?
Yes...report back on the 5th day. GP first prescribed 1000mg naproxen for 10 days...that didn't help.
Thank you for chatting with me! How long have you been dealing with your issues?
3 years but I had just GCA at 54. There are plenty of others with PMR who will chip in helpfully as questions come to mind, it is worth an explore of the forum and searching with key words in the top right search box.
Have you been prescribed anything to protect your stomach?
Remember you need rest but the Pred does make you feel like that’s the last thing you need, so no embarking on major projects with any false whizz!
My only symptom of GCA was jaw pain too. Would you explain what yours is exactly like please. I was started on 40 mg for 2 weeks with a reduction 2 weekly by 10 mg.....then decrease very slowly.
Anne
Welcome to a place no-one ever wanted to come to.................however you are in the right place and will be helped all the way.
Y our first warning is:
You cannot 'fight' either PMR or GCA
You have to learn to 'accommodate' it and learn listen to your body from now on.
Knowledge is Power so take the time to look at the Topics on the right hand side of this page and read as much as you can.
Come back and ask away..............just remember USA and UK operate on different time zones. 👍 Hope you have an easy ride................but you are in for the long haul......
Welcome!
I wonder why he chose 50mg? Wonder if he remembered 15mg incorrectly! If it is PMR he suspects a lower test dose would have been far better - it used to be a criterion as PMR typically reponds to a moderate dose, 15-20mg or so. Lots of other things would respond to 50mg - and you will feel as if you have wings!!
You are not alone. Same happened to me in the same way. Thank you. I must return to the fray.
Hi and welcome, agree with others re high dose.
Hopefully you will get relief and probably a lot more from that dose. I started at 15mg and accidentally took a double dose at 13mg and that made me very active after pacing myself prior to it. The day or two after I felt a bit tired and achey!
See what happens after 5days. Meanwhile enjoy, or not😉, Reading posts about PMR, pred etc. 🌻
What happens if Prednisone isn't taken for PMR?
Managing Prednisone dose with PMR
PMR without Prednisone 
PMR-After prednisone 
PMR and prednisone
