PMR under control?

[AuthorJ]

this is something I think I should have known already…

Is my PMR under control with my prednisone dosage if every morning I am achy in my neck, shoulders, sides, and bum for at least an hour or two? II want to taper again but want to be sure I am good to do that.

thank you in advance for your replies, friends.

[SnazzyD]

To be honest it doesn’t sound like it is fully under control. What dose are you on and at what dose did you feel comfortable in the mornings?

[Holycow2 in reply to SnazzyD]

When is the best time to take Pred?

[Bcol in reply to Holycow2]

Ideally at about 02:00 which gives the Pred time to get into your system and take care of the nasties (IL6's) when they come out to play and before they get into action at around 04:00-04:30.

[Holycow2 in reply to Bcol]

Thank you!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Are you still taking it at 2am as per bio?

If so, then no you should be having these issues -and are you still on 5mg as per last post?

But as SnazzyD says it doesn’t sound under control, so no reducing.

[AuthorJ in reply to DorsetLady]

thank you Dorset Lady and SnazzyD. I remember not having these morning issues when taking Med at 2 am. Of course! That’s it! because I had so much trouble going back to sleep after 2 am pills I went back to breakfast time! I should have known that was the reason I ache in am! Thank you for this “wake up” call! I believe I am good to taper now I am so grateful to you and all the others on this forum for all your knowledge and insight. I have learned so much.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to AuthorJ]

Well don’t start taper and change of timings at the same time.

I would try the timing change first -just to make sure it is that… if you feel better after a couple of weeks then you can think about the taper..

And good luck

[AuthorJ in reply to DorsetLady]

a BIG thank you!

[ab58sf in reply to DorsetLady]

You get up and take the prednisone at 2:00 am??

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to ab58sf]

.Not me -never fud - guess this was directed at someone else this 🤔

[AuthorJ in reply to ab58sf]

no more. It killed my sleep

[ImC_]

I found the 2am slot too disruptive to sleep too. I switched to 5am, still with the yoghurt because it’s too early for breakfast, and that worked for me. (Actually just now I have a 2.5 coated pill at bedtime around midnight and the rest at 5am but that may change as I taper to 4mg). Good luck.

[AuthorJ in reply to ImC_]

thank you ImC. It is so good to hear about your (and others) ways on our PMR/GCA journeys. So much food for thought. I do love this forum! My sleep has been much better now. I am getting 7-8 hours a night now. If I wake up I can go back fairly quickly. I feel so much better. since prioritizing sleep. I no longer eat or use screens after 7 pm which has really helped too. I take my meds with breakfast around 6/7 am. Thank you again

[Missus835]

I take my Pred around 9:30PM and then off to bed at 10. This seems to work well for me and I sleep through the side effects (sweaty shakes). Pred effects tend to wear off slightly just before the next dose is due, but is tolerable. I usually get around 7-8 hours sleep with a couple of trips to the loo, but I don't believe I actually wake for these. Good luck!