Struggling with flare up

[Paul76]

I was diagnosed with PMR in May. Started on 15mgs of pred and successfully tapered to 8mgs by Oct. Now experiencing a massive flare and have gone up to 12.5mgs with no relief on the pain and stiffness. Painkillers don’t help. I have a GP review later this week. How long can flares last? I am 69 years old, try to stay active and lead a healthy lifestyle but this is now worse than when I was first diagnosed and really impacts on my life. Any advice would be most welcome

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Couple of posts to read, my intro on illness(es), which gives other links on how to live with PMR - as I think you may have fallen into the trap that many do once you’re on medication, that “life can return to normal”…unfortunately it doesn’t for most people. The steroids give relief from the symptoms of PMR, but do nothing for the underlying illness…you need to manage that yourself by adjusting your lifestyle in some way.

The second link contains general advice on flares…just adapt the example to your doses etc.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

…probably have reduced too quickly as well.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Other considerations are that it may not be PMR but a polymyalgic presentation of something else - and that includes GCA. Too much to hope the GP could arrange blood tests for themarkers before the review I suppose?