Steroid reduction

[Doraflora]

Good morning lovely people

I’ve been patiently doing the slow tapering regime from 15mg and have now got down to 3. I started to not feel too right so I’ve stayed on 3 for about the last month.

However: I’m now developing pain in my shoulders and don’t know if this is PMR presenting itself in this new area, or it’s the bed at thr holiday cottage where we currently are. I guess I’ll have to see how it goes and then maybe get blood tests done again. I don’t want to whop my dosage back up if I don’t have to.

Just when I thought I was beating the damn thing😏

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You don't beat PMR I'm afraid - you learn to compromise with it!

I'd be inclined to think that you have very slightly overshot the dose you need - if it were me I'd try 4mg again asap and see if that helps. If it does it will avert the risk of a real flare and potential return to a high dose which often happens i you deny the warning signs.

You are never reducing relentlessly to zero, you are looking for the lowest effective dose and you appear to have got to the interim destination - what you need for now. It doesn't mean you won't get lower, just not yet. Under 5mg is a low dose and safe to be on for quite a while.

[Doraflora in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much PMRPro - and all you others. I must admit, I felt completely fine when I was on 4. I probably got too cocky and thought that was it. Oh, how silly was I - at 69!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Ditto to PMRpro's comments!

[jinasc in reply to DorsetLady]

Me too - ditto.

[SheffieldJane]

It could well be a different bed, it does it for me. However, you could have over-shot your optimum dose and in that case it is important to catch it early. If your symptoms appear to be worsening I would be tempted to increase to 5 mgs and sit tight. A full blown flare is much harder to manage.

[Doraflora in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks, Sheffield Jane. You’re so right. What a learning curve this all is.

[yogabonnie]

Hi. I started at 15 and am also at 3 (some days 3.5) and when something hurts.. and I think it might be something other than PMR I take tylenol (acetaminaphine)(sp?) and if it helps then it is the bed or the weights (heavy book hahah) otherwise I suspect PMR flare. Good luck! I am approaching year 4.

[SheffieldJane in reply to yogabonnie]

I gave up my beloved big fat, photo filled biographies when I dropped one on my face in bed. I am a weak and feeble woman. Ha ha!

[Doraflora]

Thanks, yogabonnie. Year 4 for you?😲. I’m a newbie then at 16 months😂