PMR after GCA

[GCAVictim]

Hi

I’m in need of some advice. I’ve been diagnosed with PMR after being off Prednisone for one year. I started on 15mg of Pred but symptoms not covered. My GP advised to go up to 20mg but two days and I am in pain. Not sure how long it takes to kick in or should I be thinking of increasing the dose. I would be ringing the doctors but they are not open at the weekend. Thank you.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not sure how long it takes to kick in

Certainly longer than a couple of days… even though you have been on 15mg for 3-4 weeks.

How long did GP suggest you stay on 20mg? And when to contact them?

But I would just ask - are you having any GCA type symptoms?

If so, then obviously a call to nhs 111 wouldn’t go amiss, but if not then I’d give the 20mg until Monday - and if no improvement then you do need to contact GP.

As I mentioned in your previous post, your PMR may well have been building up since you stopped Pred, so it may take more and longer that the usual starting dose of 15mg to get things under control.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wasn't sure what you mant in the last post "inflammation is 80%" - it isn't measured in percentages so which marker was 80? Either way, if that is the actual number, it is very high and higher levels tend to indicate more may be going on than "just" PMR.

I think giving 20mg until the beginning of the week is reasonable. How much relief have you achieved so far? And just checking - you are taking it nice and easy to give the pred a better chance?

[GCAVictim in reply to PMRpro]

Brain fog 80