going back on Prednisolone

[aptiana]

I am going to try going back on Prednisolone again after stopping around May 2020. I stopped because of the pandemic but am getting very stiff and walking is more difficult now. Have just registered at a new GP as we moved recently. Any advice or tips?

[Blearyeyed]

Yes , I think you need to go and discuss your previous history and your current symptoms with your new GP before you start taking any steroids that you may have at home.

If you have been off Pred since May 2020 and your pain is only just beginning to cause an issue for you, you need a full check up , and tests , to make sure what condition you have now.

It could be PMR returning , but it could also be something else , this definitely needs to be assessed.

You definitely should not just start taking steroids again without proper medical advice.

Did you have a Rheumatologist when you had PMR before?

If you did , it would be a good idea to contact them and explain what is happening.

They may have a helpline , or you can leave a message with the Consultants Secretary and they will let you know if they will open your case in their books again and give you an appointment , or if you will need to ask your GP to refer you back to the Rheumatology Department.

In the meantime try and pace yourself and reduce physical activity that triggers the pain until you are examined.

Try Paracetamol , heat pads , or covered ice packs and see if these make any difference , if they do clear most of the pain let the GP know , it may give them more evidence to help them diagnose your current problem.

Hope you get some help soon

[aptiana in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks for the replies. I have no intention of restarting without it being managed by a GP. This all started in 2009 when I started to have difficulty rising from being seated and heavy feeling legs. The GP gave me a blood test in 2012 and I had a CRP? of over a 100. I told him about my legs and after testing to exclude other conditions I think PMR was arrived at. The steroids worked very well and I then saw a Rheumatologist several times as well. Nothing of any substance seemed to come from that beyond what the GP was already doing for me. I have no pain just the leg mobility issues along with some mild shoulder pain and reduced vertical movement

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to aptiana]

Everyone I know who has had PMR twice (i.e. with more than just a few months between where it is more likely to be the the original episode having been very quiet but not gone) says the two episodes were totally different - from how it presented to how it proceeded.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi, As Blearyeyed says you can’t just start Pred again because you feel like it. It may well be PMR, but you need to see GP and get a proper diagnosis.

Give GP full details including any other medical or treatments you have tried and what effect they may have had.

Please keep us informed.