magnesium oil

[Poshdog]

5.5 years into PMR. Mega stress for the last two. Been stuck on 4mgs pred for over year. 😫 If I try 3.5, one day only, returning to 4 the next, fine for first 24 hours, then the pain returns. Am now trying massaging magnesium oil on calves as they seem to stiffen the worst. Has anyone else tried this? 🤔 Will try most things - once!

[piglette]

One day may be steroid withdrawal. It normally takes a week or so for the PMR to start to flare.

[Poshdog in reply to piglette]

Aha, thanks for that. Should have been aware as so much info on site! Working on assumption that adrenals would complain on day 1 and PMR after that. Shall now persevere when all is quiet????

[piglette in reply to Poshdog]

People often try paracetamol to get over the steroid withdrawal phase.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That sounds more like your body protesting at the change in dose (and not just your adrenal glands) rather than a flare. That is the idea of the various slowed tapers we bang on about all the time (you'll find them in the FAQs). With mine, the DSNS, you have one day of unpleasantness followed by several days of old dose before trying the new lower dose again. It used to take me 3 or 4 attempts at the new dose before my body realised tomorrow would be find and stopped complaining. The difference between steroid withdrawal and a flare is that if you hold out, steroid withdrawal will improve over the following week or so, a flare will get worse.

But also you are not reducing relentlessly to zero - you are looking for the lowest effective dose and that may be where you are at present - stop trying to force it and wait couple of months and try again. It will work eventually. It is all about patience - especially at the level you are at now.

[Poshdog in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you! Had not taken into consideration that body might object to change, not just adrenals and PMR! Trying the DSNS method. Will continue to bang head against brick wall in the hope that one will give way! 👍

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Poshdog]

What -head or wall? Not former hopefully 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Poshdog in reply to DorsetLady]

Preferably wall, but who knows?! xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Poshdog]

It isn't worth doing too frequently - a rest from trying to reduce often has a beneficial effect