Reducing pred

[Artwatercolour]

When reducing do you stay on a number ie 18.5 even if I still have pain?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A bit more context would be helpful. What stage of reducing, what sort of pain and where, had you had it before ...

[Artwatercolour in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for replying- see D Lady where I answered with details on my unsuccessful reducing.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Is this after coming down from an increase following a flare as mentioned in previous post ? ..and did the initial increase help? How have you reduced? As PMRpro says need a bit more info …

[Artwatercolour in reply to DorsetLady]

As mentioned before was at 12.5 then had Gca scare increased to 22.5. (It was not Gca ). On 22.5 for 2 days. Dropped to 17.5 for 5 days but pain in hand/wrist left knee and now right knee. On 5th day added half. The next day up to 18 1/2 still knee pain. Next day 18 1/2 still knee pain. And that’s where I am now. Worried at such a high number and still pain. What do I do know?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Artwatercolour]

But of a conundrum- see you posted a few months ago about osteoarthritis- which you suggests you have as well…is that correct?

But even if you do, then 18.5mg should mask those pains - certainly did mine….

….which again bring us back to PMR or GCA.

How do know the flare wasn’t GCA?

Plus 2 days at 22.5mg may not have been enough to get flare under control, whatever it was…so when you dropped to 17.5mg it just came back.

You have a couple of options - a) try painkillers to see if pain is osteoarthritis or something else - or b) go back up to 22,5mg in case it is PMR/ GCA? flare.

Obviously not both at same time, and if you are worried about upping Pred, then try option a) first.

[Artwatercolour in reply to DorsetLady]

Pain meds do not help

[Artwatercolour in reply to Artwatercolour]

Only went up to 22.5 fearing Gca. Went to emergency - not Gca. I grind my teeth and had not worn the mouth guard for months. Wore it for 3 days and jaw soreness gone. Also saw optometrist- eyes good.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Artwatercolour]

Okay..either need to get knees/wrist checked out , or assume it’s PMR flare

[Artwatercolour in reply to DorsetLady]

It's PMR - only got these pains recently with this flare

[Artwatercolour in reply to Artwatercolour]

So I’m trying 22.5for hopefully only 7 days that is if pain in left knee and elbow are gone. This is day 4 at 22.5 and almost gone. At day 7 if pain not all gone go another week? Or go to 22 for how long?Really appreciate your advise. Really worried at being this high in pred

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Artwatercolour]

You can stay on higher dose for up to 10 days (14 if really pushed) without worrying about dropping back down - so see how you are at 7-but preferably give it 10. Then when okay drop back down - in 2 stages - say to 17.5 for 5-7 days then 13 or 13.5 -just above what you were when you flared. Stay there for 3-4 weeks.

Please stop worrying about being at higher doses - they are not that high in the great scheme of things…they just seem high to you.

[Artwatercolour in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, so when I get to 13.5 then start dead slow reducing?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Artwatercolour]

Sounds a good idea, but just make sure you really do feel okay before you restart tapering proper…and fingers crossed.

[Artwatercolour in reply to DorsetLady]

Ok

[piglette]

If you have pain DON’T reduce, the PMR will fight back and win.

[Artwatercolour in reply to piglette]

I’m beginning to realise that.