Improvement since taking first dose of Prednisolone in the early hours and the remainder about 10am.

[larkthebark]

Hello there everyone. I am newly diagnosed with PMR in June this year and commenced on Pred after just over 2 weeks of sudden onset classic PMR symptoms. Diagnosis confirmed by elevated CRP and response to steroids. I initially had to go to 20mgs for 2 weeks and am currently tapering very slowly as I listen carefully to my bodies response . I took my pred every morning when I woke up which could be anything from 4am to 6am as I was always woken up by the pain. I seemed to be stuck in a cycle of waking early and spending the whole morning before my pain got any better. From 3pm onwards I was almost pain free but I felt tapering down further was not an option . I was stuck at 15mgs for 2 months.

Having read your posts and article cited by Henrik Galbo and lisbeth Kall I decided to try taking my pred in the early hours of the morning. I commenced the regime August 12th.

I usually wake up about 2 anyway so didnt need to set an alarm or disturb my sleep.

I took 10mgs of Pred at some time between 2-3am and the remaining 5mgs with a late breakfast at about 10am (having taken Omeprezole at about 8am when I woke up) . It didnt work straight away but after 2 nights for the first time in weeks I was waking up pain free at a normal time and felt pain free for most of the day.

I am now slowly tapering down to 14 mgs successfully and using your recommended dead slow regime hope to progress to 13mgs over the next few weeks.

This regime may not suit everyone but i wanted to share my story in the hope that it may help someone else.

This condition can be so frustrating and having a support group is very reassuring.

Thanks to all for your input which has helped me

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You may be able to take the second part of the dose later and extend the pain-free duration. May be worth a try.

[larkthebark in reply to PMRpro]

yes,I did think that too and have been trying to stretch it out more each day.

Next month when I taper again I shall also reduce my 2am dose till its 50/50 of the days dose.

thanks for the tip !

[Vidag]

Yes I’ve had the same experience. Diagnosed March 20. Took pred at breakfast and completely useless until mid afternoon and I m a morning person really. Immediate improvement when I took advice of Dorset Lady and Ambassador (June/July) and took a split dose of Pred at 2 am with the smaller top up dose at lunchtime. Can now function (paced) in the mornings and take it easy in the afternoon. So much better for me.