A happy ride with Prednisone!

[Henley2010]

Hello Skier 321,

I went on Prednisone almost exactly 1 year ago after a P.M.R. diagnosis. I started using between 15 and 20mgs and then after a month when things stabilized, I began the slow process of reducing the dosage. After 8 months I finally was done. That was last November. So far I've had no flares and my last blood work was good. There were times I was quite frustrated at how long it took but the truth is that the Prednisone. and a P.P.I. in the mornings to protect my stomach, were wonderful drugs that helped me move around without pain.

So my best advice is to hang tough. Listen to the Doctor and you'll be all right.

Best wishes,

Henley

[Theadmiral]

Thank you . Your post is indeed encouraging

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Guess this should have been reply to another post, but certainly good news for you, and hopefully reassuring for others.

[SheffieldJane]

Lucky you! That is really quick.

[jinasc]

How did I know you were Male, before I looked at your profile......................?

Short answer, most men seem to be able to go into remission within the 2 year window.

In my just over 15 years experience this is just so.

PS: Please note I said Most men.

[Greytree]

Good for you! Why did the doc tell you to take a P.P.I.? (I'm new to PMR and on Prednisone.)

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Greytree]

A PPI is used to protect stomach against the effects of Pred, but not everyone requires it. So long as you take the uncoated Pred with food it’s probably not necessary, or the coated enteric type it’s definitely not needed.

[Nymocaaz]

Thank you SO much, Henley, for providing helpful and hopeful information. It has been very discouraging to think PMR means years and years of prednisone and its harmful side effects. Nice to know that does not have to be.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Nymocaaz]

Even years of pred doesn't have to mean harmful side effects. Most adverse effects can be mitigated or avoided altogether. I've been on pred for 12 1/2 years - no identifiable side effects except cholesterol and that is because I have refused to take statins so far!

[Nymocaaz in reply to PMRpro]

Glad you are doing so well.

[femalefarmer in reply to PMRpro]

Please explain, "no identifiable side effects except cholesterol" is there a link between pred and cholesterol? I know there is between hypothyroidism and cholesterol thanks to the Thyroid forum and I am also resisting statins.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to femalefarmer]

Pred can lead to increased cholesterol levels - just as it can lead to raised BS levels. Both probably effects on the liver. No significant change in bone density for me even after well over 10 years on pred.

[femalefarmer in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you.