I am down to 2mg prednisone. Not noticing typical PMR symptoms

[sdowney717]

After I got on Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine, the right hand wrist and finger swelling went away, and I was able to start dropping pred from 5 to 4 to 3 to 2 now. While I am glad for this, I am mad that only a rheumy was smart-experienced enough to think of it, I likely could have saved months of lots higher prednisone dosing which for insulin dependent diabetics is a good idea. I also went to the hand orthopedist and it was a waste of time and money. He said he will do nothing for my 'trigger fingers' cause they no longer trigger, even though both middle fingers can not be straightened up. The rheumatologist told me totally different story about trigger finger, that the finger can stop triggering and the tendon still get stuck in the synovial sheath preventing it from straightening out. The orthopedist did not even read any info I put on the paper about my symptoms and pains related to the fingers, you know the thing they make you fill out before seeing the doctor, and how the nurse asks you a whole list of questions before he sees you. He was totally unaware of my case details. So he wont do a thing and all he offers is a cortisol shot, however I read any A1C test over 7, that is against protocol for a diabetic to get that shot. My A1c is 7.2. As soon as he realized I was diabetic and the hand Xray showed minor osteoarthritis in one middle finger, BUT NOT the other middle finger, he attributed all my hand issues to PMR, OA, and diabetes and wanted nothing to do with me. I have 'trigger finger issue in both middle fingers and that finger shows no sign of any OA.

I could get a second opinion from a different medical group hand orthopedist.

verywellhealth.com/cortison...

"The study recommends avoiding cortisone injections if your HbA1c is greater than 7%. "

[sdowney717]

It may also be that this whole finger issue will self resolve given enough time on its own.

Seeing they no longer 'trigger lock' when pulled down, means the tendon inflammation has gone away so they no longer jam and lock into a position when clenched down, which is an improvement.

[Hosers2]

i successfully transitioned from 7mg pred to 200mg Hydroxychloroquine over a 30 day period. I then reduced Hydroxychloroquine over a two year period without experiencing any PMR flair ups.

It worked for me. PMR is in remission, and I am working on regaining my full strength and have lost all the weight I gained on Pred.

[sdowney717 in reply to Hosers2]

That is good. I am noting my hand strength is returning to normal. I can open plastic milk jugs, thank God. This year long health nightmare seems to be ending for me. Even today both middle fingers seem to have greater range of motion. My son-in-law cracked the head of his ulna bone skating backwards and tripping over his feet. It has been a month and he started physical therapy and has a very stiff wrist. I suppose due to inflammation swelling. Perhaps some of my middle finger's issues have also been due to swelling inflammation.