Is this a flare ?🤷‍♂️

[Stifffingers]

September 2018, doesn’t seem that long ago. That was the date I was told I had this strange sounding problem. I can remember the severe pain in my groin , the inability to walk unaided, the struggles getting dressed.. etc. I need not to tell you folks.

Done my 4 years of Pred . Tapered under instructions. I have written before about the discovery of a trigger finger..( now fingers) after coming off of Pred. The question of OA in my fingers.

Yes I’ve tried Flexideq .I will admit to taking a few intermittently 1 mg tabs to see it that helps. ( Not really).

My question….. now my wrists are really stiff ,sore .and weak ., along with my fingers. My biceps are hurting. All issues I had early days of PMR.

I can swim, walk , and do most things., as long as I don’t have to grip with my hands.

Am I having a flare ? Should I start back on Pred.?

Ps. Just had a biopsy done for prostate Cancer. The Dr , felt it unwise to continue taking as it would lower my immune system.

Not sure I can take this finger and wrists pain without some form of meds.

Regards .

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Done my 4 years of Pred . Tapered under instructions

You may have, but doesn't sound as if your PMR got the message.

You may find that a very small dose of Pred will get things back under control, but is does need to be every day, not just intermittently. A week or so at 5mg might mop up build up inflammation, and then drop down to 2mg or so.... but you need to run it past your doctor..and with your other issues it may be a fine balancing act, but very small doses of pred aren't going to be that troublesome.

Good luck...

[Stifffingers in reply to DorsetLady]

Appreciate your response.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long have you been at zero pred? For the record, I agree with DL's analysis.

Not entirely sure I get the relevance of NOT taking pred because of the PC. Under 5mg isn't likely to compromise much - you got well below that while tapering and it is very common to find 1mg was plenty to manage PMR but zero doesn't work. The tiny bit of inflammation each day eventually builds up until you notice it.

[Stifffingers in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your input. Tbh I’m not overly concerned re the comment by the Dr carrying out the biopsy.

My question really relates to the body pains I’m sufferyat present. Would you with your experiences suspect this is a Flare? Don’t really want to crack on with steroids again unless I have to .

Thank youn

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Stifffingers]

That's why I asked how long you have been at zero pred

[Stifffingers in reply to PMRpro]

apologies. Having a bad day.

Say 12 / 14 weeks

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Stifffingers]

That would be about right for low level activity PMR to build up enough inflammation for you to be able to feel it. So yes - I wouldn't be surprised if it is the PMR still there and yes, I would try 5mg pred for a week or two - if it doesn't help you can just stop.

How long did it take you to do the last 3mg pred?

[Stifffingers in reply to PMRpro]

I believe I did that over a 3 month period , eventually to 1 every other day and then stopped.

Ok I’ll try your 5 mg Better watch what I eat!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Stifffingers]

If the 5mg works, you can probably drop to 2mg since you are worried about the pred.

I often say even 1/2mg can be enough ...

[Stifffingers in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you .

[Charlie1boy]

Hi,

For what it’s worth, I was on between 9 and 8mg of prednisolone, when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was treated with hormone therapy and radiotherapy.

The consultant and my GP knew I was on pred, but made no comment about it at all. Happily the prostate cancer is currently in remission.

Good luck

Paddy

[Stifffingers in reply to Charlie1boy]

Thank you

[yogabonnie]

I have exactly that. I lowered my prednisone to half mg. after 5 years and my finger hurt so much and thumbs and trigger fingers and swelling in on joint that I told my doc I was sure it was PMR flare or Rheumatoid arthritis. He took x rays and blood work. NO rheumatoid arthritis and no high SED rate. He is convinced it is just the osteoarthritis which IS bad. I take acediminophin (sp?) for pain and it helps so I dont think it is PMR any longer. I think the prednisone was masking a lot of the arthritis pain. I am now using something called Voltaren which is a topical NSAIDS and works! BUT if tylenol doesnt take away BICEP pain and it isnt from doing exercises.... then I might wonder if it is PMR..sneaking back.

[Stifffingers in reply to yogabonnie]

Thank you Ms Bonnie

I do believe you were the lady who recommended Flexidec ?

I had X-rays which confirmed OA , but never had pain in 1 particular finger as I do now. Ouch !

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Stifffingers]

Flexiseq - many of us recommend it....think jinasc was original one that suggested it.

[Stifffingers in reply to DorsetLady]

indeed she was . Thanks for putting my hat on straight.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Stifffingers]

🎩…😊