Recently diagnosed and now slowly tapering from 35mgs, about to start 30mg after being on 35 for two weeks. Not much help at all from G.P., taking me off prednisolone too quickly, and now he has left it in my hands! I am a retired nurse but I'm also a sufferer of P.M.R. who is frightened and felt alone until I found this forum! Should I stay on 30mg for 2 weeks or longer?
Also am I regarded as immuno- suppressed, I think so, and if I am does my son who lives with me qualify to have a free flu jab?
Finally, my flu jab is booked for Saturday. Is it safe for me to have it?
So many questions I know but it's so confusing and upsetting!
Written by
Crossstitchfanatic
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
It is highly recommended you have the flu jab - especially this year. Your son may well qualify as living with someone vulnerable - but whether he will be able to get it now or have to wait until they get round to that is another matter.
Have you any symptoms of GCA? If not, 35mg is a rather strange dose - not enough for suspected GCA and rather high for "just" PMR where the usual recommended max starting dose is 25mg - so if you feel good you don't need to stay at 30mg for more than 2 weeks - you could try 27.5mg when you feel ready.
Thanks for your advice. The strange dosage is because, as I mentioned, my G.P. reduced my 40mg initial dose after my diagnosis straight away and I had an immediate flare up. He then said to increase again until I was pain-free which was 35mg. To be honest he wasn't much help at all and I had to do what I thought best! I've been on 35mg for 2 weeks, starting 30mg tomorrow. I'll take it for 2 weeks then reduce to 27.5mg as you suggest. I don't have any symptoms of G.C.A.
If he reduced it by a large amount it MAY have been your body reacting to the change in dose - and it can feel just like a flare. However - you are where you are now!!!
In my experience, and my opinion, the flu jab is more essential this year than ever. With the potential of Covid and the flu, we are all at significant risk.
The flu jab can at least help protect you from influenza, which is potentially lethal on its own. At this point we have no immunization from Covid, and can only protect ourselves using barrier protections(masks), and social distancing.
Please Protect yourself by getting the flu shot.
Kind regards, Jerri
PMR diagnosed 2013
I've had the flu injection. However, I've read that the effectiveness is quite low if on steroids. Also, we go by how bad Australia had it, evidently, it wasn't bad at all out there. Always best to have some protection though.
My husbands brother in-law, who lives in Spain, was diagnosed approx 4/5 months ago with PMR. He was started on 60 mg reducing every two weeks. He has reached 15 mg and going much slower. I think in Spain they believe in bombarding with high dose of Pred to protect from GCA. He is having no problems whatsoever and doing really well.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Flu jab or not? If yes which one?
Flu Jab
Tapering, Lab Results and the Flu
Flu jab
