Increase prednisone dose

[arvine]

joints, hand pain especially unbearable, in process of tapering. From 4 mgs to 3 1/2, tild was arthritis, since on very low dose now wondering if could take aleve, or naproxen temporarily see if get some relief of pain, ?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You won’t know until you try… but if it is arthritis a topical get might be better for long term use.

[arvine in reply to DorsetLady]

thank you have

Tried topical containing arnica, no relief

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to arvine]

Arnica is more for bruising and muscles. A topical NSAID cream/gel like Voltarol might help and be less bad for the stomach. But if it doesn't work and you need tablets, it would be better to take a PPI as well. You can get them at the pharmacy.

[arvine in reply to PMRpro]

Well thank you what is PPI tjough?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to arvine]

Stomach protection medication, we talk about them a lot on the forum. Omeprazole is an example, also called Losec, but there are others.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to arvine]

No - arnica wouldn’t -it’s not for arthritis

[piglette]

You could try Tylenol if you don’t want to use an NSAID.

[arvine in reply to piglette]

Have been using doesnt touch pain

[piglette in reply to arvine]

It does sound as if it could be the PMR causing the problem, so you should probably not have reduced. You may need to go higher than 4mg for a week or so to hit the PMR on the head and then reduce down again.

[arvine in reply to piglette]

So you mean hand pain can be sympton of pmr returning? Never had this sympton when originally diagnosed, and actually even while at 4 mgs, was having some of these issues, not quite as severe though?

[piglette in reply to arvine]

It was the fact that normal pain killers were not working. You could do a trial and increase your pred by up to 5mg for a few days and see if that helps, if not you can always reduce again. In fact you should reduce again within two weeks even if it does help but to a higher dose than 3.5mg.

[arvine in reply to piglette]

How to knowvif severe arthritis or PMR, so frustrating , tests in past confirm osteoarthritis in back hips and exrays results in hands, done while ago, now pain much worse, actually all joints, elbow and hip joints, Im a mess!

[piglette in reply to arvine]

If you are getting so much joint pain rather than muscle pain it probably is arthritis or you could just have a virus which also can cause that sort of pain. If it is bad I would contact your doctor. Keep warm and rest.

[arvine]

thank you