Doctor in two hours, suggestions please.

[ifeelold]

I think im in a major flare.

I was down to 3.5 mg october 15. began to have increased pain. made the mistake of going up by 1, then another 1, and another 1 mg, a few days later when i was on 6 and was still in pain i went to 10 and made an appointment with my doctor. he said stay at 10 a few days and then try to go down 1. didn't work. i'm 3 days at 15 and in extreme knee, back, and shoulder pain... Something is not right... seeing my doctor in 2 hours. 8 out of 10 pain...

Can anyone out there give me some advice for when i go to the doctor.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Just tell him what you've explained above....but only 3 days at 15mg may not be enough for a flare....

Sometimes, depending on how much inflammation has been allowed to build up you need longer at higher dose to get it back under control. I always suggest 7-10 days, but you can stay on up to 14 days without it jeopardising your return to lower doses.

Please let us know what is suggested.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As I asked on the other thread - is it really typical PMR-type symptoms? Anything different like more specific joint pain?

[ifeelold in reply to PMRpro]

yes, much more specific, mainly knees, middle of my back, and shoulders. he has me started me on a medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis (just in case) and we just switched to Methlypredisone. 12 mg. - i'm feeling much better,, the regular predisone just wasn't working anymore. he says the tapering is more difficult on this medicine. we will see.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ifeelold]

That's good - I had the opposite experience, Medrol was truly awful for me! Needed a higher dose for less effect and the adverse effects were really not nice - lovely black beard for a start!!!