Having been discharged by my last NHS rheumatologist, my GP referred me to a new one at Kingston Hospital.
He said that it’s unusual for polymyalgia to continue for seven years and that my dose of prednisolone (3 mg) would have adverse effects in the long-term. He suggested changing me to methotrexate which I wasn’t keen on, as my PMR Seems to be quite stable on 3 mg and previous advice was that the dose is so low it wouldn’t have adverse effects. My blood sugar is normal and my recent DEXA scan was normal too.I find it hard to trust what he says as it seems to contradict what other Rheumatologists have said.
Would welcome any feedback?
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Bobbikins
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Well they all have their own ideas -and whilst seven years may be unusual-it’s certainly not unheard of… only got to look on this forum.
Don’t see the point in adding in another drug with its own side effects - and would be inclined to agree with others about low dose of 3mg.
Just as matter of interest, why did GP refer you another Rheumy -didn’t he think he was capable of continuing your treatment following discharge from previous one?
He referred me because my DEXA scan had shown deterioration on my spine. This rheumatologist has contradicted everything the last Rheumatologist said. He wants to take me off prednisone
At 3mg pred I certainly would be extremely unwilling to even try methotrexate. If it works in PMR (and there are no guarantees) it will take a long time to have an effect. Prof Dasgupta would leave you at 3mg longer term.
If you are at Kingston, shame you didn't get referred to Chertsey and Rod Hughes. I find it so unprofessional when they contradict each other so dramatically.
Doesn’t he realise that steroids and methotrexate are not an either or? The methotrexate can help you reduce the steroids, although it does not work for everyone.
Hi Bobbikins, I have been taking prednisolone since April 2021.for GCA. I got off to a bad start as did not get correct advice as to when to take it. I was taking it after lunch and suffered panic attacks and anxiety but when I got correct advice which was to take early morning to give body enough time to absorb it, I was fine. I am on a reducing dose which started at 40mg. I have had to increase back up with Doctor’s instructions a couple of times but am now down to 3mgs.
It was suggested I take Methotrexate also but I was reluctant to take yet another drug! After reading about it, I didn’t Iike some of the quoted side effects so I decided to try to get off the steroids by myself after discussion with Doctor, so agreed to reduce very,very slowly. I am reducing by 0.5 per month, and so far so good! The Doctor did say to me that once I get to 1.5mgs they have little or no effect anyway! Hope this helps.
I see you have previously been on 2mg. Do you think you could manage a slow taper to 2.5mg, or even 2.75? That might keep your GP happy for a bit longer!
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