PMR and cancer treatment

[Booklover21]

I have been taking Pred since Nov 21. Started at 15mg and have managed to taper to 10mg. A little bit of shoulder stiffness but so far ok. I have now been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be having surgery in a couple of weeks. I spoke to my GP as I was supposed to start tapering further and told him I was going to stick at this level until I had recovered from surgery. Will also be having radiotherapy. Any advice on tapering when in my situation? Things to look out for?

[Longtimer]

Sorry to hear what you are going through....others will be along soon with advice, I wish you well, keep us posted, you are not alone.....

[Booklover21 in reply to Longtimer]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

MrsNails has been there - she'll be along later I'm sure. I wonder if the PMR could possibly be related to the diagnosis?

In the meantime - all the best.

[Booklover21 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[MrsNails]

Morning - sorry to hear about your diagnosis - yes your gut feeling not to reduce at this time is probably correct.

What sort of Surgery are you having - Lumpectomy/Mastectomy?

I had a Mastectomy followed by Chemotherapy as l was Triple Negative. There’s several ladies on here who’ll be along later, some who’ve had Radiotherapy which l didn’t.

10mg is a ‘good’ place to be at as there’s no risk of adrenal fatigue. You’ll need to talk to the Anaesthetist to let them know you’re on Pred & for how long. The Registrar rang my Rheumatologist for advice re my dose post operatively.

There are Forums on HU for Breast Cancer which you might find useful.

If you want a chat privately please PM me. Wishing you lots of luck 🍀

MrsN

[Booklover21 in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you. I’m having a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy so will stay put at 10mg until after recovery.

[SheffieldJane]

So sorry to hear about your worrying diagnosis. I hope your surgery goes well. My mother in law was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer 3 years ago and now is in complete remission and looks really fit and well. I wouldn’t worry too much about tapering in your shoes until you have recovered from the surgery and radiotherapy. One step at a time. Once you see how the land lies you can address the issue of tapering - always slowly by half a mg - I would say. There is a respected consultant who keeps all his patients on 10 mgs for one year. This may be a good strategy for you. I think I learned about this treatment protocol from PMRPro. I hope Mrs Nails see your post. She has shared her journey with breast cancer I believe. Wishing you all the best. X

[Booklover21 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you

[Telian]

Sorry to hear your diagnosis. I wouldn’t be tapering until you’ve finished your treatment following surgery. You will know when you are ready to start your next taper. Take each day at a time and listen to your body. You will have access to the BC specialist nurses anytime plus your Oncologist and their specialist nurses following your surgery.

I had breast cancer in 2014. I elected to have a lumpectomy as opposed to mastectomy. I then had radiotherapy. I had only been diagnosed 5 months previously with GCA and was still on 40mg Prednisolone. I didn’t taper during all of this nor did I increase dosage. I had intravenous steroids during and after surgery. Your anaesthetist is the person to speak to about their plans for you. They are very knowledgeable and trustworthy. Once I’d finished radiotherapy and got over the side effects I resumed tapering. I have been fine re the BC and still have annual mammograms. I was diagnosed with PMR the following year.

If you want to speak further you can PM me. Best wishes. 🌺

[Booklover21 in reply to Telian]

Thank you for your advice