My first flare since being diagnosed six months ago, I was doing ok on 5 mg, then flare, been on 7.5 for two weeks now, no change really, should I keep going on 7.5, or increase.
I’m feeling really down today, just want to go to bed and curl up, I’m usually quite active, was going to go for a short walk, but I can’t face it
Maybe the increase was not enough -who advised that? Usual recommendation is contained in attached link - just amend example according to your own circumstances -and run past GP-just in case there us something else going on -
I normally increase by 5mg for a week or so to hit the PMR on the head. Then reduce back to a bit above the dose where I had problems.
Had it been me, I would have gone to 10mg for a week. if the dose you try isn't enough, it simply isn't enough and you end up spending longer at higher and unable to drop back to where you were in one step.
If that doesn't work - you may be having a flare in disease activity rather than having just overshot.
What does a flare in disease activity mean please
If you scroll through this link, you’ll find PMRpro’s explanation -
PMR isn't the disease - it is the name given to the symptoms caused by an underlying disease process and there are several. If that underlying disorder ramps up - the symptoms will increase.
I was diagnosed last year and had the same experience at around the same dose. 5 days on 10mg did the trick, then I dropped slowly back down to 5.5 using Dorset Lady's taper. It has been a bit of a suck-it-and-see process - I often find it hard to distinguish between pred withdrawal and a flare. I'm holding steady at 4mg now - PMR is so far resisting any attempt to drop another sneaky half mg, but that doesn't mean it won't later. Like many people, the GP I get to see depends on where the appointment carousel stops; most don't know much about PMR and I have referred them to this forum. The advice here has taught me to be less Private Frazer (Doomed!) and more Corporal Jones (Don't panic Mr Mainwaring!) in response to the disease.
Thank you, it’s encouraging to hear people going through the same. I started 10 today, so see how that goes 🤞I didn’t really realise there was a difference in pred withdrawal and a flare, I’m learning so much.
Well hopefully my link explained it…..
Flare or Adrenals waking up
Suggestion request after flare up
GCA flare with Covid
gp recommends her advice for every flare up
