Bad Back

[Iamfedup]

Been off Prednisone for six weeks after a four year journey. Before PMR and Prednisone I suffered with my back but whilst on steroids I didn’t. I have had a painful and stiff back for the last week and am tempted to try my remaining Pred tablets for a couple of days. Any thoughts on this please ?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I think I’d try ordinary painkillers first -and see if they make any difference.

If not then try the Pred..

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Six weeks is a nice time interval for a small amount of left-over inflammation from a very low disease activity and slightly too low a dose to build up and make its presence felt. It isn't uncommon for patients to get to 1mg or even 1/2mg, think it was all over and stop the pred altogether, only to discover that there was just a LITTLE bit of PMR still going on.

I'd try painkillers and heat first - and if that doesn't work, experiment with the pred. If the painkillers don't work and pred does - maybe you need 1mg for a bit longer.

[Iamfedup in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for the advice, I have been taking Ibuprofen but only a dose higher than recommended helps.Will experiment with the Prednisone

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Iamfedup]

How much higher? Ibuprofen only works effectively by starting with a flooding dose of 800mg - to occupy all the receptors. Then you can usually use 400mg at a time to top it up. In development it was designed to be used like that but when it was released OTC they were forced to reduce the recommended dose - much to their disgust. Because the OTC recommended dose is useless!

I find that if I start with 800mg I can go well over 12 hours before needing more. The max dose in 24 hours is 3200mg - so I can stay way below that if I go about it right.

[Missus835]

Try paracetamol and ibuprofen together. Extra strength. Double it up (flooding dose) in the morning, so 2 of each. Worked very well for me, but I can no longer take ibuprofen.