Side effects after Prednisolone withdrawal

[Saxsoprano]

After 3 1/2 years on Prednisolone for GCA (confirmed by biopsy), I have managed the very slow taper off the drug, had bloods done after 3 weeks and all seems OK. However, I have a very, very itchy, blotchy skin which is soothed somewhat by antihistamine tablets and copious creaming and very stiff arms and shoulders and knees first thing. I have difficulty struggling out of bed but this stiffness gradually wears off. I presume both itchy skin and joint stiffness are connected to the long term Pred use. My question is how long does it take for these effects to disappear ? I seem to remember seeing somewhere that it could take as many weeks as the number of months Pred was taken.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Some effects take up to a year to resolve. Something many have found on getting to a low dose is that they have almost allergic reactions to things - a few of us feel that we may have developed allergies as part of the autoimmune aspect of PMR, I certainly did with wheat. and the pred masks them at higher doses, I can eat pizza with impunity at present! Then they appear once the dose isn't enough for that.

It also isn't unusual for as little as 1mg, even 1/2mg, to be plenty to keep a very low level of disease activity under control but zero is just that tiny bit too far. Prof Dasgupta told us he often keeps people on 2-3mg long term as it reduces the risk of relapse. I think less works for many and many more get off pred altogether but you can't forecast which group you belong to. So I would say be watchful - and honest. If the stiffness increases, consider if it COULD be PMR symptoms building up.

Dry skin is itchy, so carry on as you are.

[Saxsoprano in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro. I'll keep an eye on these symptoms. I'm pretty sure at present that they are Pred withdrawal related, as I am not in any pain, unless I move, and then only until the offending muscle has freed up. I also have a gluten and grain free diet, so I'll make sure I don't get slap dash with that. I wiil steel myself for the next year!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Saxsoprano]

Low adrenal function can also cause the muscle aches and pain - that is what takes so long to get back into the swing of things. But most people do get there.