Newly diagnosed with PMR

[Mercat]

Hi all I did post a couple of weeks ago to say I’d been put on pred as GP decided to try to see if it helped with my pain, which within hours improved my pain it was like a miracle couldn’t believe how much they’d helped! So fast forward 3 weeks of 15mgs no pain and feeling so much better ~ last 2 days I’ve had pain and stiffness in my neck , I’m due to taper to 12.5mgs starting tmrw 😱 I’m now worried I shouldn’t be reducing my pred 🤔

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Would suggest you don’t reduce ….for the time being.

Are you sure you haven’t done anything to bring on the pain -it’s all too easy to do especially if you get a good result from Pred initially.

See if things improve over next few days, if not then you need to advise doctor.

Have you read this info link -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[MiloCollie]

I agree with DL. stay on 15 a little while yet. Have u done a bit more exercise in those three weeks? I was sooo guilty of that cos I felt better. Could it be that? Rest rest rest and see how you go. Xx

[123-go]

I agree that it’s advisable to halt the pred reduction at the moment.

When you have a stiff neck it’s tempting to hold it still but this is likely to exacerbate the symptoms.

You could try some gentle neck exercises-see link below and take paracetamol as advised for a couple of days.

nhs.uk/conditions/neck-pain...

[Mercat]

Thank you all , as it was Xmas I’m sure I was doing a lot more than usual and after starting the pred and feeling so good I might have over done things 🫣 it is hard for me to rest! But I’ll stay on 15 for a couple more days start lowering after and thank you for suggesting the paracetamol I was scared I couldn’t take any painkillers with pred. Many thanks again 😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mercat]

Paracetamol and Co-codamol (on prescription) are okay with Pred, but not ibruprofen (or other NSAIDs) …

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Though there are situations were even NSAIDs can be used - my rheumy does but insists on either a PPI or something like famotidine be used as well for stomach protection.

[PMRnewbie2017]

Welcome. Necks are often an issue for pmr patients. PMR affects our muscles and steroids do too. When you consider our head weighs 5kg or 11lbs any postural issues or muscle weakness can result in neck pain. This is in addition to occipital pain ( the small muscles at the base of the skull) that are commonly affected in pmr or gca. Stay at 15mg for at least 6weeks - I have a recollection that this is accepted practice? Do not reduce until you are stable. If you reduce whilst you still have pain you will never know if it's because of too low a dose of Pred, a flare or something else such as a strain of the sternocleidomastoid muscle of the neck.