Guilty or not ???

[Golf-1]

Today, after a few days of increasing pain in my neck, started on left side on Wednesday this morning also right side, I have taken extra 5mg Pred without consulting my GP who has previously indicated he was happy for me to manage my medication.

For about 4 weeks now I have managed with 6mg Pred, so today 11mg - if pain permits I intend to get back to 6mg by reducing by 1mg over next 5 days.

For some reason that I cannot understand, I am feeling guilty for taking what I consider to be drastic action - should I? or is this normal and how we are meant to cope with PMR?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You shouldn’t feel guilty -on any count -this link contains advice on dealing with a flare -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

-and you need to ensure you are on 11mg long enough to get things back under control - try and reduce too quickly and you are likely to end up in same position.

[Golf-1 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your reply, the link is a great help and reassures me that it is ok to increase Pred if and when needed

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It would be different if a) your GP hadn't said you can and b) you weren't intending going back down but sticking a much higher dose then you have been on.

You say you have "managed" - which to me sounds as if it wasn't as good as you had been before?

And I wouldn't go back to 6mg, consider going to 7mg first but stay at the 11mg for up to a week to 10 days to be sure it is dealing with the problem.

If your pain was only on one side I would have asked if it was a sternocleidomastoid muscle problem - Snazzy and I love that!!!! But if it is both sides, it could be PMR underlying it.

[Golf-1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your advice, I will stay at 11mg for 7 days and then reduce by 1mg per week until I get to 7mg and then stay at that level until I return from holiday on 9th August and reasess my situation