Tapering withdrawal

[HorseyG]

Morning all , I am currently tapering from 3mg to 2mg , my blood test inflammation ratings are normal , but I am having very sore muscle pain whilst tapering , I am assuming it may be withdrawal symptoms from prednisone as I have been on prednisone for over two years , but dr is thinking it may be menopause related , I’m 53. Anyone know how long withdrawal can last ? Is it worth me taking hrt to ease muscle pain ? Just not sure where the pain is coming from , thanks all?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It could be withdrawal symptoms - but they usually disappear after a few days, more likely to be be a flare if you have gone below the dose your illness actually needs - this link explains and give advice for dealing with flares- and don’t be certain it isn’t a flare just because bloods are within normal range.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Could also be adrenals stuttering, that can cause muscular pains in some people. Do you have any other symptoms like fatigue?

Have you tried ordinary painkillers or heat therapy?

..and to be down to 2mg within 2 years is very good going, so not sure doctor should be dismissing PMR. Plus tapering 3mg to 2mg is much more difficult than tapering at higher doses, say from 10mg to 9mg…. Might need to drop by 0.5mg a time and using a much slower tapering plan [if you aren’t already].

[SnazzyD]

I agree with DL. Have you had your vitamin D levels checked because low levels can also mimic withdrawal.

[HorseyG in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you all , I’m having my Vit D levels checked in Thursday so we shall see , the Dr is very facts and figures based , if ratings are normal he won’t consider it still being pmr grrr ! May need to ask for a rheumatologist referral just to look at alternatives to managing.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HorseyG]

Good luck with a referral to Rheumy-very difficult to get at present -unless you consider paying for private consultation.

[HorseyG]

I just wish my Doctor had a bit more empathy, but I may look at a private referral, bored of being in pain and I have my horses to ride 😀

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Same answer here - are you dropping from one dose to the next from one day to the next? That is a 50% change and eventually the body just protests at such a large relative change.

And just because the markers are low doesn't mean it isn't a flare - it takes time for there to be enough inflammation to trigger the liver to produce the proteins that cause the markers to rise. Symptoms always trump lab results.

And have you been doing something unusual recently? Lots of stairs - or, with your name, riding? It may be coincidence.

[oaktree5]

My experience reflects what PMR pro and DL mention about markers, Flares.Can go for weeks before indicating rise in inflammation. And last week the rheumy I had waited to see for 16 months said blood work showed no RA " just PMR residual". Or sequalae. It was the. "Just" that got me, the last three years of multiple joint PMR feel much more deserving of a different word than JUST.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to oaktree5]

Long ago on another forum I wrote a post about the variations between GCA/PMR and mixed presentations and at some point wrote "just PMR" - deliberately with the quote marks. Someone gave me a right roasting for that, said I obviously had no idea what PMR was like! I'd only had it for about 10 years then ...

[HorseyG]

The lack of empathy is remarkable and you had that from a specialist !!