pain returned at low dose of pred - what to do as I go on holiday on Sunday ?

[Sydney0503]

Hi , I am fed up ! I’m caught between 2 rheumatologists who dispute I have or even had PMR and tell me to just get off the pred and the GP who says you must have it because pred works ! Anyway I’m currently on 2.5 mg having tapered from 3 ( very slowly over c 6 weeks each time ) but the pain is back in the shoulders and today I found out CRP was 26 ( previously 16 on 1/2/23 when was on 3mg .

The GP might call me but I go on an active holiday on Sunday so interested in thoughts on what to do with the dose to knock it in the head quickly but not take me back too far .

sorry to moan but I’m sick of this after 2.5 yrs and having almost got to zero a year ago and had to do back to 15mg with a CRP of 43 .

All advice welcome 🙏

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Standard flare due to overshooting the dose you need: add 5mg to the dose at which you flared for up to 7-10 days and drop straight back to the last dose where you were fine. If you catch it quickly you won;t need to go back to 15 and you probably didn't last year either.

And stick with your GP who is bright enough not to care what the label is - you have a pred-responsive inflammatory condition with PMR symptoms.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Usual advice for dealing with a flare is contained in this link -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Sydney0503 in reply to DorsetLady]

I do get some relief from paracetamol but I started this last taper c5 weeks ago . It could be took much exercise maybe …

[PMRnewbie2017]

How active is this holiday? Please be mindful that you have a chronic illness and the Pred only mops up the inflammation produced every day. It doesn't stop the inflammatory chemicals being produced. Your history is similar to mine and i hear your frustration and disappointment. Enjoy the holiday, the break will be a tonic but don't over work your muscles.

[Sydney0503 in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

I’m going skiing . I knew I’d have to moderate what I can do …. Just hope it can do a little now !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sydney0503]

Where are you going? It's more like waterskiing here ...

[Sydney0503 in reply to PMRpro]

Sestriere in Italy , hope to be able to manage something ( from a my body perspective ) … there seems to be snow there …

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sydney0503]

Mind you - it is 19C here today in the valley but they are threatening hovering just above freezing next Tuesday ... Must be spring!

[PMRnewbie2017]

Stick to the blues, avoid the blacks and lots of hor chocolate stops. Am envious. Enjoy.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

This week it is more Aperol spritz weather ...

[Sydney0503]

whereabouts are you ? ☺️

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sydney0503]

Me? At the foot of Kronplatz, Plan de Corones, in the Dolomites