The usual problem

[Southmead]

Hello you good people, and fellow sufferers. I was diagnosed with PMR in 2014. Started off on 20mm of Pred, worked a treat. Since then I have gotten down to 5mm with no ill effects. A few weeks ago on the slow taper I was down to 4mm, using 1/2 mm steps.

Then the rot set in, had a flare up and tried to maintain the dosage, after a week I went back up to 5mm to combat the stiff shoulder, neck and headache, all to no avail. It's making life difficult, like driving and unable to turn my head properly, etc.

I'm tempted to go to higher dose, and asking advice on high to go? it's been well documented on this site the problems associated with the taper down around the 5mm mark. It seems like that last step is the hardest. Its always frustrating to get down to a low dosage, then having to climb back up again. Snakes and ladders..

Thank you

[SheffieldJane]

If you are convinced that it is a flare you could try going up by 5 mgs for a week/ 10 days then straight back down. This has nipped it in the bud for me in the past.I have cervical Spondylosis and do get the kind of pain and stiffness you describe from it. This may be worth investigating.

[Fimckenz in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi, what do you do for your spondylosis? I too have it, I do McKenzie neck exercises and painkillers when I really need them. Interested in your treatments.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Fimckenz]

Thankfully it is intermittent. Usually too much screen time or a strange bed are the triggers. Gentle massage can unknot it and painkillers. I have a neck massager - a bit unpleasant and it sort of stings but the pain goes. As you say, exercises from the physio help but I am not very disciplined about it. Avoiding the triggers is best.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Try adding 5mg to the flare dose for a week then drop back to the previous good dose. So 10mg for a week and back to 5mg. But don't leave it as long if that isn't quite enough!!

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

Up 5mm to 10mm seems to have done the trick, Thank You..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Southmead]

Excellent - but don't go mad now you feel better!!

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

Not quite a young Gazelle just yet

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Usual advice for flare included in this link, as already explained - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[SheffieldJane in reply to DorsetLady]

Brilliant post! I forgot it.