I was diagnosed with PMR early March 2020, after six months of pain three different diagnoses by three doctors. Posture - I did the exercises given to me for six months. Anxiety - I was told to go home and rest. I struggled getting out of bed, had pain in neck, back, shoulders, thighs. Couldn’t open my mouth very wide, difficult to eat too painful. Ate yogurt, scrambled eggs.
Saw another doctor who sent me for blood tests received a call the next day with diagnosis of PMR, 15mg Prednisone. Couldn’t believe the following day after one dosage such a dramatic improvement in my symptoms. Within three weeks I was feeling 95% better.
I have continued the guidance and am down to 3mg. Five weeks ago I started suffering with Sciatica, this is very much better now but I think masked the fact that the PMR had returned in a small way. I have slight pain in my legs and now shoulder. I hadn’t had a blood test since August, so messaged our surgery and got relevant paperwork for blood test. Had the blood test on Tuesday and looking at my test result on line it says Abnormal. I’ve received a message from the surgery that I have a telephone appointment on 8th December, I’m guessing they will tell me to increase my daily dosage
I’m thinking I’d like to increase it right now, perhaps to 5mg.
I would be interested in anyone else’s thoughts.
Written by
Tinasleepyhead
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Thank you, what a great site this is, during these months I hadn’t spoken to anyone with PMR during these months and then yesterday I found this site, invaluable.
Hello. Sadly your story of a protracted diagnosis is a familiar tale. To have got to 3mg in 7/8 months is quite good going. At what dose were you last comfortable?
Just a thought on the sciatica symptoms. There is a muscle related problem that some here seem to get with PMR is piriformis syndrome, thought it isn’t exclusive to PMR. This muscle in the buttock becomes upset and aggravates the sciatic nerve. PMRPro might say something about this.
Thank you so much for your response. it was whilst I was on 4 mg I noticed symptoms, so am thinking 5mg, I was doing fine. I will take a look at the sciatica information that you mentioned.
How annoying, that’s just happened to me too, ‘abnormal’ results but no one can speak to you. Luckily I only had to wait 4 days. I think 8th December is absolutely unacceptable, sounds like inflammation ramping up again & you could be in a lot of pain by then. I stopped tapering straightaway & now feeling better. I’d act now, go back to 5 & ask for an urgent phone appt on Monday. Hope you feel better soon.
Why such a long wait to see a GP. What are they doing that makes them ask patients to wait a month. Our surgery is very good. We can have telephone consults or f2f with very little delay. Abnormal blood results and they ring me
It’s so valuable to get your response, haven’t been able to talk about the PMR, mainly because of all the calls on NHS with the virus. Just to know there are others like myself makes a difference. Thanks so much took 5mg this morning and will look after myself. Keep safe and well.
You seemed to have reduced very fast. It took me almost 2 years to get to 2.5, which for some is speedy. I have been on that for at least a month and as I have surgery coming up in December plan to stay there as long as needed and hope not to have to increase dosage.
Wishing you well with your forthcoming surgery. I reduced as my Dr told me by 1mg each month from May, with no symptoms returning until I was down to 4 mg, then just slight symptoms. Still quite slight but enough for me to want to get on the right track.Keep safe
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