PET scan

[NormaB]

I was diagnosed with PMR in October last year started on 60 mgs prednisol which relieved my symptoms in 3 or 4 days.Started reducing by 10 mgs every 4 weeks in December. Saw the medicina interna (I live in Spain) in July this year who suggested GCA and increased my pred to 60 again reducing by 10 mgs every 2 weeks. I’ve been on 10 mgs now for 8 weeks and had a PET scan 2 weeks ago. I see the medicina interna next week for my results. My question is will the corticoid levels mask the results.?

[SnazzyD]

Yes, they certainly can do. My PET scan was considered a bit useless by the doctors after only 21 days on 60/40mg.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably - 10mg is felt to cause a marked suppression of the signal. Mine showed nothing on 7mg.

If it was PMR originally - no wonder the symptoms went quickly!! That is a GCA dose. Up to 25mg max, is the recommendation for PMR>

[SudsSuds]

I had a PET scan last year and I could not have it until I tapered to 5mg. At that point I had been on pred for about 2 years with a minimum dose of 4mg. I do not recall specifically what my rheumy said about waiting but I assume it was because of masking. Good luck.

[Africschoice]

have to say they wanted me down to 3 for scan but then straight back up. This disease is a nightmare and affects everybody differently and your dr will approach it in a totally different way from mine. There is no continuity and everyday I think I’ll get better but I don’t. Good luck with it apologies bit down at the moment x

[NormaB in reply to Africschoice]

Thanks ani I hope you feel better soon