rubha

[Rubha]

My GP diagnosed PMR 2 weeks ago and prescribed 20mg of pred . The stiffness disappeared the next day but the headache lasted another 4 days. I saw another GP yesterday after 10 days on pred (as suggested by the initial GP) . She has told me to stop the pred once my 2 week prescription is finished and I hadn’t been on the steroids long enough to need to reduce slowly. I’m going on holiday next week and not too happy about stopping abruptly. Any advice ?

[SnazzyD]

Why do they want you to stop?? Not happy with the first GP’s diagnosis and your rapid response to Pred?

[Rubha in reply to SnazzyD]

I have confidence in the 1st GP as she specialises in muscular conditions but sadly when I was due my follow up appt with her, she was snowbound (we are almost completely blocked here at the moment , no ferries or flights due to weather) . The 2nd GP , who wanted me to stop the preds said she’d contact the senior GP and call me back. If I hear nothing I will phone tomorrow as I want to taper off the steroids. All the info I have gleaned points in that direction . Thanks for your reply ,

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd demand to see the original GP - since the second GP obviously either doesn't believe it is PMR or hasn't a clue how to manage it. PMR is a chronic disorder - it lasts at least multiple months and mostly years. A single short course of pred won't cut the mustard. As soon as you stop the pred, the symptoms will be back if it is PMR.

And in view of your holiday and I assume you saw the doctor because of pain and disability, I would at least want another 2 weeks of pred to take with me.

Please - don't use your name as the title for a post, it appears automatically. The title is to give readers an idea of the question or topic of your post and trigger related posts. There are many posts a day, not everyone reads everything, just what interests them.

[Rubha in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. You have echoed my thoughts. The original GP is snowbound and there is no let up here in the northwest of Scotland . I have asked for a 2nd prescription of pred to « hold » …….if I hear nothing by tomorrow I will be phoning .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rubha]

Blimey - didn't know it was that bad up there!!! Where are you?

[piglette]

oh no, another GP who knows nothing about PMR and steroids.