Cortisol Blood Test

[Underpars]

I'm down to 2mgs of pred and I feel 100% ready to go to 1.5 but I wanted to check my adrenal function just for confidence.

The function test request was refused but they offered a cortisol blood test which came back at a normal level of 502 nmo/L. Perhaps I should get off prednisolone altogether soon because it seems that my adrenal glands are doing a sterling job for me!

My plan now is to taper a little faster. I'm a fit male aged 59 who's 19 months in to PMR and got to below 7mgs well within a six months. My ESR & CRP levels have been normal for a year.

If anyone feels the need to kick the gloater feel free to do so! I also guess that some will doubt that I have PMR but I'm 95% certain I do, but I just seem to have got off lightly.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Certainly don’t want to kick - but why not stick with the tapering plan that’s worked so far .., 0.5mg sometimes can make a big difference - no point it upsetting the apple cart. Unless you’ve got blackberries and are going to make a crumble or pie!🥧

[jinasc]

AS DL has said, no need to rush. The slower you reduce the less chance of a 'flare' and beware, it can and does take up to at least one year for your adrenal glands to become fully functional and you must carry your steroid warning card at all times.

Tortoise won the race..............🐢 (could not find a tortoise).

It is not unusual because you are male and a youngster that PMR can go into remission within the 18 months to 2 years - just remember it is not cured - just remission.

[SnazzyD]

Why not gloat? Get the good bits while you can. Two points of caution though. First, although the numbers are small and zero is just there within reach, a small amount can make all the difference. Secondly, my Synacthen test was normal at 1.5mg, but I was tripped up adrenally a) when I reduced and b) when I had unexpected challenges even though on a daily basis I was fine, so keep some with you because if you get a crisis it can hit hard and fast. It took me a year to go from 1mg to zero. Men often have an easier time with r it seems and I do know we’re all different though, so I will part by saying, keep an open mind. Good luck!

[Underpars in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks Snazz, I do intend to be cautious so it's 1.5mg next, probably for a month even if the PMR symptoms don't increase. Good tip re the pred carry and the earlier replies tips from this fantastic forum. Bless you all.

[Ranchero in reply to Underpars]

Are you going to be cutting pills to get 1.5 dose - or have found a source of 1/2 mg pills?

[Underpars in reply to Ranchero]

The 1mg pills that I get have a little division line and they split easily so I don’t even need a pill cutter.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ranchero]

1/2mg not manufactured…. but 1mg can be cut - sharp knife or pill cutter.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Men often seem to have a "different" PMR! Not always - before someone shouts at me

But your adrenal function being good doesn't mean that the underlying autoimmune cause of the PMR symptoms is 100% gone. I wouldn't speed up now when you have done so well!

[DelilahPMR]

I am torn between envy and hope that I can recover when I see someone able to reduce her/his pred down so much. Well done indeed.