Hip pain

[kathyrob]

I have taken prednisone for6years and am now on 4mg. Recently I have been getting a lot of pain in hips so wonder if it's worth increasing my dosage to 5mg for a while. I also have osteoarthritis so it could be that. In the past I have had good advice from the forum can you help now thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

An increase to 5mg may be enough, really depends how much inflammation has built up, assuming it is PMR causing the problem.

I you aren't sure whether it's PMR or OA have you tried ordinary painkillers for latter and do you have OA in both hips to the same degree?

If you haven't tried painkillers, maybe try that for 2-3 days to see if they make any difference... if so then you probably have your answer ... it is OA.

If they don't help at all, then PMR grumbling.. so more pred required. If so then an extra mg may help, but might also be worth consider treating as a flare - described in this link -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[kathyrob in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you for your quick reply. I have tried paracetamol but doesn't seem to do much. As I have said before I have been left to my own judgement as Drs don't want to know. The Rheumy I had referred me back to Drs. I have just developed arthritis in my right big toe so perhaps that's the problem.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to kathyrob]

If paracetamol doesn't help, then maybe try the 'flare protocol' - and maybe drop down to 5 or 4.5mg rather than 4mg... as that may be just a tad too low.,

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

? doesn't?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

ta..

[Grammy80]

I could not find your age, but wondered~~I've been taking prednisone for over 4 years. I'm 83 and have had hip issues since I was about 60. I was able to get an injection in my hip and had no more pain. I'm just throwing this out there for consideration....not knowing your age or history. I do swear by Flexiseq cream also. My best..💞

[kathyrob in reply to Grammy80]

Hello I am 82 my birthday Feb. I put my steroids up by 1 so now taking 5 for the past week and the hip pain has eased quite a bit will keep to 5 for next week then back down to 4 which I have been on for about 5years. Thank you for your input.

[Grammy80]

The Eighties group is pretty large~! Pred will help the pain but do you think it worth it to get an x-ray of your hip? You know best. 💞