PMR pain or Adrenal issue

[Plains]

Hello, I have not had PMR pain in over a year. I do have GCA too. I just reduced my prednisone by a half mg a few days ago. My hips and knees are bothering me today. Could this be due my reduction of prednisone and my Adrenals stating to work? Should I go with it for a few days to see if it gets better or go back to my previous dose now?

[SnazzyD]

Your adrenal glands working don’t produce symptoms, it’s when they don’t work when they do. Low adrenal function can occur at any point. I got fluey aches and pains with it but not not in specific areas. Have you been up to anything unusual?

[Plains in reply to SnazzyD]

No, not really doing the same things.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not having PMR pain when on pred doesn't mean the PMR has gone - it means you are on enough pred to manage the inflammation. If you reduce the pred to too low a leel to manage the inflammation - the symptoms are likely to come back. It may be the change in dose - which is why we suggest the slowed tapers - and if it is then it should improve again over the next few days. If, on the other hand, it worsens, then you are likely to be at too low a dose.

[Plains in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[Whitesmith86]

we were told by my husbands rheumatologist to fluctuate the drop so my husband will drop 0.5mg one day then back up for three, then drop again one day then back up and then eventually alternate days until he feels ready to drop the 0.5 every day. Does that make sense. It takes a long time to drop 0.5 but I think it works better at the lower levels

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Whitesmith86]

Not dissimilar to the slow tapers we recommend on here….

[Plains in reply to Whitesmith86]

Interesting I never thought about doing that. I will give it a try. Thank you