Reduced pred and shoulder pains

[Animalover65]

Hi, I started on 20mg of Prednisilone in early March 22 which immediately gave me an improvement. I have continued to taper and was reducing by 1 mg per month and seemed to be fine.

I reduced to 3mgs 10 days ago and after a week or so started to wake with pains in shoulders and arms. The pain was not as severe as when I was first ill but enough to make me get up very carefully and slowly. It improves as the day goes on but is back every morning.

I presume this is PMR telling me its still with me and not to get too confident. If the morning situation continues would it be wise not to reduce for an extra month? I am not keen to up the dose to 4 mg but will if necessary.

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thank you.

[piglette]

I would go up 5mg for a week, knock the PMR on the head and then drop back to 4mg or even 3.5mg. If that is OK then drop down to 3mg.

[Animalover65 in reply to piglette]

thank you piglette, that makes sense. x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You are not reducing relentless to zero - and to have got to zero in just over a year is very quick… time to ease up methinks..

And as  piglette says you need to get PMR back under control…if you just ignore it, it’s likely to get worse.

[Animalover65 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DorsetLady, yes a stitch in time will save nine! x

[Sharitone]

Perhaps when it is under control, you might want to consider reducing by just 0.5mg at a time? It has greater chance of success, and it's not so disappointing when you have to go up again.

[Animalover65 in reply to Sharitone]

Thank you Sharitone. Yes especially at the lower doses of Prednisilone being more cautious and reducing more slowly makes sense,x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You are better to go up 5mg and return to 4mg and stick for a month or two than to try to "battle through" because all that will result in is the syptoms building up to a level where you need an even higher dose of pred. As piglette says so often, PMR always wins ...

[Animalover65 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro, I also lost my beloved Daisey cat 3 weeks ago and I think that may have added to the raised inflammation, I am due a blood test in a couple of days so will get that done. I will see how things go and then up the steroid if necessary as suggested.

How is the weather in Italy at the moment?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Animalover65]

Not very exciting - but I have been away in Germany where it was cold and damp! I have just got home where right in the north and half way up a mountain it is the same temperature as Rome and the sun is shining.

[Animalover65 in reply to PMRpro]

That sounds like a double bonus - home and the sun is shining. x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Animalover65]

Except there is to be a return to winter on Thursday ,,, Wish it would blooming decide!

[Animalover65 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes its all change again!

[Gary1310]

I did not do anything when I felt a twinge while reducing… just kept focusing on doing what Rheumatologist recommended. I knew he wanted me off Prednisone as soon as possible. I was off after 11 months. I still had weakened muscles but the pain was gone.