Hello

[Blodders2]

Hi I have just been diagnosed with PMR, also I am hypothyroid was diagnosed many years ago so take thyroxine every day I also have psoriasis, feeling a bit low at the moment, hopefully start feeling a bit better soon, my GP has prescribed me 15mg prednisolone for 3 weeks then reduce to 12mg for 3 weeks, then 10mg for 4-6 weeks then reduction by 1mg every 4-8 weeks as tolerated then once down to approx 5mg for a review as sometimes they lower the dose more gradually at this stage. So on my journey I go.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi and welcome.

Might like to have a look at this -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Tapering plan is as per guidelines, but just be aware it’s not always as easy as it sounds. .. so if you need us, you know where we are..

.. and there are others on here with added extras like yourself, so you’ll get plenty of help… but it is all a bit overwhelming when something new comes along… 😊

You could have edited this post to add the info about THR… didn’t need to raise a new one..

Hope it was successful- and something you don’t need to worry about anymore…been there..one anyway, plus shoulder and knee..

[Blodders2 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much.

[Miserere]

Sounds like a good plan - I started on 15mg, then to 12mg, then 10mg etc. Once I reached 7mg that's where it became harder and, of course, life still happens as well. We all can feel a bit low at times,perhaps overwhelmed and sometimes a little frustrated - perfectly understandable.

Dorset Lady has already given links to the tapering plans; all of which are jolly helpful. Get to know how your own body reacts and you can determine at what dose you need to go more slowly.

My very best wishes to you.

[piglette]

As DorsetLady says it may work and it may not, we are all different. If you have any problems STOP reducing don’t try and work through it. PMR always wins!

I don’t know if you are interested in gardens but there is a gardening group at facebook.com/groups/6288051... with some lovely photos of people from this group’s gardens. It takes your mind off PMR!

[Ruins67]

I was diagnosed with PMR over two years ago and started off at 15mg. I am also hypothyroid and at present take 5MG levothyroxine per day. Your tapering down seems to be pretty quick if I’m honest. I have been reducing for over two years now. When I started at 15 MG it took almost 3 weeks for the pain to go. Quite possibly because I wasn’t started at a high enough dose. By the time I saw a rheumatologist I was diagnosed as atypical PMR. I was able to lift my legs and arms and do things that, most people who have PMR couldn’t. I put that down to an ability to withstand pain and the fact that I struggled for so long before I was diagnosed. I was also taking a dangerous amount of ibuprofen.

The most difficult part is getting down from 3 to 2 to 1mg. I’m sure somebody can send you a link for the staggered reduction of steroids. I only took a print screen at the time. But so far that has worked for me for reducing from 3 to 2MG. I’m sticking at 2MG until I feel satisfied I haven’t got, pain in the morning. It’s always difficult to differentiate between normal aging pain and what might be a possible flare. But I’m fine if I. keep moving and a daily walk really helps. In this I’m lucky cause I have a dog who must be walked. 😊 good luck on your journey with PMR. I hope it doesn’t last long and I hope it’s not too painful.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ruins67]

There is a slow tapering plan in my information post which I linked in my response. Not sure that’s required at the beginning but do agree that 15-12.5-10mg is too quick for many.

[Blodders2 in reply to Ruins67]

Thank you for the advice and kind words.

[AtopicGuy]

Do you know whether your hypothyroidism is of the autoimmune type or not?

If yes, then all three conditions - PMR, hypothyroidism and psoriasis - might interact with the same treatment. Psoriasis is also associated with a particular form of arthritis, a disease of the joints, whereas PMR is a disease of the muscles (often the ones surrounding the joints).

[Blodders2 in reply to AtopicGuy]

Yes my hypothyroidism is of the autoimmune type.

[Pippah45]

Hi Blodders, I too have auto immune hypo as well as PNR/GCA and have been here quite a few years! Kate Gilbert's book helped me to be patient!! Finally down to 3mg pred after 7 or so years. Thankfully Rheumy turned me over to GP and he is allowing me to do my own thing. This Forum is awesome!

[Blodders2 in reply to Pippah45]

Thank you.