Before Prednisolone

[Verwood]

As I have been now on Prednisolone for the best part of a mouth now and the pain and stiffness has decreased dramatically 90% +, I am beginning to question things from before the main event. Is it possible that PMR simmers for some time before going full throttle. I can now do things, I could not do before going on prednisolone. The stiffness in my legs in the morning which before I put down to just getting old is gone, joint pain now almost gone. For the last year I have had trouble put socks on in the morning and bending my legs to thigh my shoe laces, now it is easy

Is this normal .

Just hoping it continues.

[Charlie1boy]

Hi.

Absolutely it does, and I guess all of us on this forum would agree. What happened with you is almost identical to my experience.

However, everyone is different. For some the onset of PMR pain can be instant, whereas for others it goes back months or years. For me I could trace back symptoms for about six months. Initially I went to a physio, but got no joy there, although she did at least recommend going to my GP, and that worked well.

If you're new to this journey, then take your time tapering down, following the advice given on this excellent forum. It is a frustrating experience, and you will need lots and lots of patience, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Good luck

Paddy

[Verwood in reply to Charlie1boy]

Thanks

Finding a lot of good advise and it's great to find the well of knowledge to draw from

[Mary63]

Mine certainly simmered for quite a few months, leading to physio and osteopath visits which did not help.

But one thing to consider is other aches and pains (arthritic) go away with moderate doses of pred, and may well come back on lower doses, as I am finding to my cost!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

My GCA started as a simmer but eventually boiled over in the 18months before diagnosis - GP on wrong track.

And, yes put down to old age et al! By medics and me!

[SheffieldJane]

Yes, most definitely. I had a similar pattern.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think it can simmer - mine did. Started with stiff shoulders in spring, increasing problems over the summer and autumn finally hitting like a ton of bricks in January.

[HeronNS]

Definitely. I had pain for goodness knows how long which I put down to worsening osteoarthritis. I date onset of PMR to about 14 months before diagnosis when I had a strange incapacitating episode, but in retrospect I think I had it longer. I was carrying a stack of books in the library where I worked and suddenly had to call a co-worker over to take the books from me as I couldn't move with the weight! It took 14 months and a new doctor to get to diagnosis as first doctor assumed, as I did, it was OA. When I was finally diagnosed I could hardly move at all. Third morning after starting 15 mg pred was 100% painfree! A vanishingly small dose, five years later, seems to keep PMR away but allows OA to make itself known - and it is not as bad as I believed it was during those months, possibly years, pre-PMR diagnosis.

[Bcol]

Hi, I agree totally with the other comments, as PMRPro says mine hit me like a ton of bricks in June this year and I was diagnosed at the end of the month, but looking back I have realised that a lot of the pains and problems I had previously put down to my OA getting grumpy were in fact, probably, all due to the onset of PMR.

[Mollbhan]

Hello, For a year before I was diagnosed with PMR I had a very painful left knee, tentatively diagnosed as a torn cartilage, then much the same in my right knee, then the right thigh, my wife had to put my socks on for me, then full blown PMR. Sinc taking pred all the earlier aches and pains have disappeared. Something to be thankful for.

[Gunflash]

Yes it was with me, I felt wonderful as soon as I started to take it. Generally speaking it has been really good and my symptoms almost disappeared. then out of the blue, 3 months on, I started getting leg cramps at night and so far I have been unsuccessful in getting rid of them. I have learned in the short time I have been on Pred that PMR is just lying in wait so it can cause some more havoc at the slightest opportunity. Best advice is taper very slowly. Listen to what the volunteers, Ambassadors and regular posters' say, they are brilliant.

[Verwood in reply to Gunflash]

Hi Gunflash, I am going to take it slow. I am only just thinking about to take my first small step in the reducing the dosage. no more than 10% reduction.

[Gunflash in reply to Verwood]

Good call, sensible .