Flare?

[Boson]

I have been gradually reducing prednisone over 18 months. Dropped from 1.5mg to 1mg daily about 4 weeks ago and now getting pain in both glutes, but no shoulder pain. Is this a PMR flare?

[SheffieldJane]

It could well be. Catch it early.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sounds suspiciously like it -follow advice in link (adjusting example to your own doses)-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

As many know at such low doses 0.5mg can make a big difference..

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Difficult to say - but it is a possibility. After all - that is a 33% difference in dose!

[piglette]

If you take a painkiller and it does not really work it is probably the PMR.

[Boss302Fan]

I agree with all previous replies. Suggest bump back to 1.5 mg for a week if you were okay there. Also consider using 0.25 mg steps. The flares will be less intense and quicker to recover from, also less likely of having “any” adrenal insufficiency symptoms.

[Liby57]

It could be a flare, but it could also be withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to the lower dose. The symptoms of a flare or withdrawal can appear similar.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Liby57]

Yes they are similar -but steroid withdrawal symptoms start almost immediately and ease off within a week or two.

In this case, the issues started 4 weeks after a reduction, which is more likely to indicate a flare.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Karendeena]

I got to that stage and my symptoms returned, had to go back up to 5mg daily