Interesting aches

[Jigsawlass]

I've been on pred since March 5th , on 11mg currently and moving to 10 mid-week , hopefully.

For the last few days I've had aches across my shoulders, no stiffness. Not severe but enough for me to notice . Also pains running down from the base of my buttocks. I did a short, slow walk Friday and rested pretty much the whole weekend . Any thoughts?

Thanks x

[piglette]

Personally I would hang on for a few more days before reducing as you may be leaving yourself open to a flare. You should have the same relief as when you first took steroids.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with piglette , no reduction this week! Wait until pains have gone -it may well be DOMS (Delayed-onset muscle soreness) from the walk, but no point in taking the risk.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wouldn't be moving to 10mg any time soon! Wait a bit and see if those niggles settle down - because they could be the signals that you are at the borderline of enough pred/not enough pred.

Both the shoulders and the hamstrings are very typical places for PMR to come and play!

[BettyE in reply to PMRpro]

Agree with other replies. My sister, diagnosed four years ago, has learned the hard way not to persist with reducing Pred. if pain returns. This has happened two or three time and always when she gets to the 6 mg. dose. I have had PMR twice; the first time I reached zero Pred. in three years. The second time it took five. Yo- yo dosing both times but got there in the end.

If only there was a definitive test that could confirm which aches and pains were PMR and which down to wear and tear, old age and arthritis our lives would be much simpler.

[Jigsawlass]

Thanks for the advice all, the confirmation I needed not to reduce . I have been fine on 11mg for almost a month which I am a bit concerned about this

[Missus835 in reply to Jigsawlass]

My Rheumatologist (ugh) reduced me immediately (overnight) from 15 mg to 12.5 mg Prednisone. This was 2 weeks ago. So much going on in my body right now. Hemorrhoids, bad bruising on my foot, soreness through shoulders and backs of arms tender (again). Tops of thighs. Sketchy looking rash under one breast. I put myself back up to 13 mg. yesterday morning and feel slightly better today. I feel she was way over zealous in that large a reduction and her schedule wants me to reduce to 10 mg. in 2 weeks time (which makes me feel apprehensive). Then 1 mg. per month thereafter. While I totally understand the need to reduce, I think slower is better, giving the body a chance to acclimate itself for bit before reducing again.

[123mossie]

Good advice already given, you could risk the niggles/pains turning into a proper flare by continuing to reduce. You need what you need, it really doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long as you are comfortable you’re doing well.

[Jigsawlass]

Am definitely going to stick at 11mg for a while. Have plenty of 1mg tablets.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Jigsawlass]

Sensible 🌸

[Heron82]

Good morning, I'm on 11 and was fine for a few weeks. However I then started with the usual stiffness in hips, thighs and knees with my thighs swelling. Gait was impaired and walking was more plodding, dog walking the mile or so I do was a struggle. I am staying on 11 for a few more weeks until the symptoms subside and would advise you to do the same. Also try reducing in 0.5mg amounts rather than the 1 mg you were planning.I hope it works out for you. Good luck.

[MiloCollie]

I’d guess at muscle wasting/weakness which comes along with the illness AND the pred sorry. Take it easy.

[Jigsawlass in reply to MiloCollie]

I was wondering when muscle wastage/weakness may start to kick in. All the more reason for me to retart some gentle Pilates

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jigsawlass]

It is very variable and never happens at all for some people. I had muscle wasting with methyl prednisolone - but it recovered on prednisone and I'd never had a problem with prednisolone.