PREDNISONE WITHDRAW SIDE EFFECT

[SMH4CRNA]

Continuing to taper per medical guidance. Down to 11mg from 15mg. Starting to feel generalized body aches like I have a low grade fever. So, take Tylenol (acetaminophen) and body aches go away. Interesting, when I do take the Tylenol I break out in sweats like a fever broke. Prednisone withdraw side effect?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How often are you changing the dose and by how much each time? If paracetamol is helping, at least it is less likely to be the PMR reemerging.

[SMH4CRNA in reply to PMRpro]

Yeah, thought it was less likely PMR and more likely the withdraws. Thanks.

I have read it is not uncommon to have low grade fevers with PMR. I certainly had my share in the early days. Naturally, with a fever you get body aches, which I did. Everytime I took Tylenol, fever broke. So, I understand the common argument is Tylenol does not work for PMR, but Tylenol does for a symptom of PMR. Would you not agree to this?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SMH4CRNA]

Tylenol may well work on steroid withdrawal symptoms - not quite sure what you mean by -

“ I understand the common argument is Tylenol does not work for PMR, but Tylenol does for a symptom of PMR.”

Does it help following a reduction, if so perhaps a slower tapering plan -see examples would help the withdrawal symptoms - one of the reasons they were devised…or are you using T all the time…..and yes it would help a fever.

But I would be questioning why are you continually getting a fever? Or have I misread that?

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[SMH4CRNA in reply to DorsetLady]

No fevers since starting prednisone until yesterday. Multiple occurences of fevers prior to starting prednisone. The occurence yesterday may very well been unrelated to PMR at all, but a simple cold. Thanks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SMH4CRNA]

Maybe just coincidence then -or have you recently reduced? Say within last week to 10 days?

If so, could slightly too low a dose -and PMR poking its head through again as the were a precursor to original illness.

Not always easy to know..but do monitor and if you think it could be PMR, you know what to do.

[SMH4CRNA in reply to DorsetLady]

This thought occurred to me, hence the question. Is PMR showing its evil head again or is this a Prednisone withdraw side effect. I reduced on Monday per medical guidance. No issues with taper from 15mg to 11mg. I feel good today. Thought the fever responding to Tylenol was out of character so I thought I would ask you experts.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SMH4CRNA]

I suppose it remains empirical: does any discomfort improve over the following couple of weeks or does it get worse? PMR is likely to get worse...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SMH4CRNA]

No - tylenol doesn't generally work for symptoms of PMR. After all - PMR is only the name we give to the set of symptoms due to an underlying condition and there are several. The PMR we talk about is due to an autoimmune disorder - and almost never can be managed with anything other than pred. Tylenol may help with the withdrawal symptoms some people get. Fever is regarded as less likely in PMR although patients may have sweats - fever is more common in GCA

[SMH4CRNA in reply to PMRpro]

Yeah, I had multiple occurrences of fevers leading up to my dx of PMR.

[Karenjaninaz]

I always get sweats with Tylenol. If Tylenol helps then the pain is not PMR related. I’ve had sweats with no rhyme or reason but less on lower doses in my case.