update on advice on treating continued PMR symptoms

[Dresdenplate]

I have updated my profile after taking your advice and seeking further advice from a different GP, a registrar and eventually Professor Rod Hughes. After he gave me a steroid injection and advice to continue on 13.5 mg of pred for three more weeks I am feeling much better as far as the PMR symptoms are concerned but have the spaced out and other annoying steroid symptoms which I obviously have to put up with. Dr. Hughes did not recommend Methotrexate as IF it worked it took a long time.

I am due to start reducing slowly, by 1/2 mg, in a few days time, which I will do if my symptoms are still controlled. My question is , at this level of dose 13.5, should I use the DL taper method? Or drop straight to 13mg for the suggested three weeks?

Looking forward hearing your advice.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I think we would say, that as you have had a number of issues tapering the way forward is to use slower tapering plan - whichever one you prefer. It’s easier on the body, and if it means you don’t have another flare then it’s all for the good.

As often said, better to go slow and small steps than push it along risking a flare and end up taking more Pred and more time.

[Dresdenplate in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you all for your replies. I’ll follow the sound tapering advice and go slow! The tortoise lives a steady and long life!

Thank you also for all the information on here that I read regularly in replies to others, which has helped me get through these months.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is up to you - but why NOT use the slowed taper approach? They are aimed at making tapering more comfortable so that there is less chance of confusing a flare with other discomfort due to the sudden change in dose. Some people don't find changing the dose difficult, others do. If you use the slowed taper, then at the end of the month you have arrived at the same place but probably more comfortably and possibly without thinking you were having a flare and giving up.

[Bcol]

Once I'd got to10.0mg I use a DL five week plan at 0.5mg taper. However, as you have previous problems you might want to consider 0.5mg reductions before you get to 10.0mg for all the reasons already stated by DL and PMRpro.

[Grammy80]

You've gotten the best advice and it sound like you have a good attitude!! Good for you....remember, the tortoise won the race...slowly.💞