PMR Swollen Hand

[sail26]

I started on 15mg pred March 21 for PMR. I am now down to 2 mg using a slow taper. Since June when I was at the end of 4mg. my left hand started to hurt( I had carpel tunnel earlier in the year on both wrists which is now better)Now the pain in the joints on my left hand is severe, I can't grip anything and the hand is swollen. Not painful unless I use my hand or try to pick anything up. I filled out an e-consult form for the doctors and they were good enough to give me a telephone appointment in a week's time! All I wanted was advice regarding the hand swelling and is it likely to be part of PMR ? I thought it must be and from today have increased pred to 4mg. On the form I filled in I have answered negative to any other condition related to the swelling. Any advice would be appreciated. With thanks

[pmr_nikola]

I had PMR for few years and every summer I had to increase pred because of the swelling in my hands. For me it was fingers, not wrist. In any case, my rheumi could not say it it was related to PMR or not but he confirmed with ultrasound that there was an inflammation and higher dose of pred did help. I was usually adding +5 mg to my dose and then after a week or so I would start taper down.

[sail26 in reply to pmr_nikola]

Thank you nikolaThat was reassuring and now into my 2nd day at 4mg (up from 1) I have no pain in my hand and swelling going down. Back to the very slow taper

Regards