3mgs "maintenance dose"?

[Grannymiaow]

PMR symptoms since June 2020.

Formally diagnosed by rheumy September 2020. Put on 15mgs pred, AA (without a DXA 🤔) which was changed to Risedronate earlier this year, Omeprazole, and OTC calcium/vit D.

I have had a few ups and downs tapering (most recently had a 3 to 2.75mgs taper scuppered by Covid.)

I feel that perhaps 3mgs is where I need to stay for a while. Is this seen as a "maintenance" dose?

My G.P practice seems happy to keep giving me Pred.

I'm also pushing for a DXA as the AA caused indigestion, the Risedronate is less bad, but I would love not to have to take either.

Thanks to everyone on this site. I have learnt a lot.

[piglette]

What does your GP say when you ask for a Dexascan. I never understand why they just dump people on it before testing them first, but I suppose it is easy and saves their time. However there us a cost if you don’t need it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If 3mg keeps you stable and functional and a lower dose doesn't - then 3mg is the maintenance dose you need for now. You probably will get lower, just not quite yet, and you do need to occasionally try a very slow 1/2mg taper to see if it works now. But 3mg is a relatively low dose and Professor Dasgupta told us he often keeps patients at about that long term as it reduces the risk of relapses. If it is good enough for him ...

If you are having problems with risendronate tell the GP firmly that is the case. You could have an infusion but better still would be to stop as you no longer need it so a dexascan makes sense to find out whether you do or not.

[Grannymiaow in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you both. I am "in the system" for a DXA via rheumatology but have no idea how long that will take. But I feel reassured that 3mgs long term is relatively ok.

Obviously I will try another taper in a few weeks.