Perhaps some encouragement for newbie PMR sufferers.

[Flivoless]

Brief history; diagnosed with PMR in Feb 21. Prescribed 15mg Prednisolone but that didn't work at all. Went up to 25mg and blessed relief from the pain. Stayed at this level for quite a while then slooooowly reduced to where I am today at 11mg and, fortunately, no pain and no flares along the way and not taken any other meds. Further to my last post, for some reason, I continue to hog all the NHS appointments throughout the Country as I have now had a endoscopy (no drams there thankfully) just had yet another FtF with Rheumy Nurse (a new one who, I have to say, seemed far more ofay with our condition than the Rheumy herself and the previous Nurse) who had the results of my Dexa scan; neck of femur - 1.0. total sine 1.4 (indicates normal bone density). FRAX demonstrates 10-year major osteoporotic fracture risk of 6.5% and a 1.2% of having a hip fracture in the next 10 years. NO TREATMENT REQUIRED. and by latest blood test ESR 10 (so slap bang in the middle of the range for my age) and CRP less than 1. So the Pred is doing its job and I'm something of a happy camper at the moment as I'm pain free, well PMR pain free but still have the odd ache here and there as other bits of me fall off with advancing years - can I blame PMR for the fact I keep stubbing my toes, causing sever pain, by having to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night so often? I will continue with 11mg Pred for another two week then go to 10 and if all stays OK I will then reduce, again very slowly, 1/2 mg at a time. So, whilst PMR seems to be never ending, chipping away slowly at it can get results and even small results does make you feel so much better - why at the moment I could crack a walnut- so keep your peckers up

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Has your ESR been any lower? The range isn't a range that is fine for a specific patient - it is a range found in 95% of a very large population (10,000 samples is a common aim for establishing a normal range) of apparently healthy subjects. My normal ESR is low single figures, when it ran at 16-18 during a bad flare no-one said boo - but it was very raised for me!You're doing well though - and a good example of why a dexascan is required to know if you have reduced bone density. The local osteoporosis guru went the other way with OH - SHE didn't think his spinal fracture was osteoporosis-related despite him having at least 3 or 4 risk factors. She had the grace to look surprised at a spinal t-score of -3.7!!!! I wasn't in the least surprised: weighed well under 60kg all his life, appalling diet, no exercise ...

[Flivoless in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your reply. No, my ESR has never been this low. Much higher with previous BT in early Nov.

[Uglow]

When you go to 10mg how often will you reduce and by how much please

[Flivoless]

I'll go 0.5 mg every three to four weeks and see how it goes but adjust if necessary

[Viv54]

Good luck, nice to hear a positive comment !🌷

[Flivoless in reply to Viv54]

Thank you. Just wanted to get it across that whilst it may be a long tunnel, there is light at the end of it.

[AyJayBass]

I am also a male who makes three-ish bathroom visits nightly. I suggest you invest in an always on dim night light to light your path and invest in some stout mule type slippers!!

[Flivoless in reply to AyJayBass]

It was an attempt at humour AyJay but thanks for the advice.

[Broseley]

I recommend getting a pair of good slippers for when you get up in the night!