Hi from Purplecrow

[Purplecrow]

hi everyone,

I’m back after a bout of afib and the followup drama that accompanies it.

My PMR diagnosis was in 2013, and as of today…I’m Still on prednisone! Only 5 mg, so no one really worries about it. I just tried another reduction of .5 mg, and within a week,…drumroll…symptoms returned!

It’s time for flu jab and covid booster…I’m anxious, as usual, because I always have nasty after effects from vaccines…nonetheless, I get in line.

Glad to see some old friends still keeping this pipeline of information operating…absolutely lifesaving information and support from you wonderful people!

happy news here…I recently adopted 2 new dachshunds, and my happiness has kicked into overdrive . Photo is of Molly(black white) and Taylor Swift (red white)😁

[piglette]

Welcome home! What beautiful dogs you have.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Good to hear from you!

[SheffieldJane]

welcome back. Your little dachshunds are utterly adorable. The will do you the world of good. I have the same reaction when I try to reduce from 5 by half a mg and it’s been 8+ years. I am wary of Covid vaccinations because I seem never to have got over my January bout of Covid caught on a long haul flat. I am being sent to a Covid clinic with next to no high hopes. Love to you and your darling doggies.

[Purplecrow in reply to SheffieldJane]

💜🙏🏽💜

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi from another old friend… beautiful dogs..

[whitefishbay]

Cute dogs!!

[Hulotsholiday]

They’re absolutely beautiful. Love them! I’m on the long road too…currently at 5mg but can’t get below that without return of symptoms. I was at 2mg last year until I had covid booster and got full blown flare within days. I didn’t immediately associate the two, but partner with autoimmune condition also had a flare after lengthy remission and GP said it was likely to be the booster that triggered both. I’ve had a really bad year since (also with a fib episodes) and won’t be having any more. I don’t socialise, rarely shop in stores and live in a rural and isolated area, so overall, I consider the risk of catching Covid low. It’s personal choice and I wish you well and much pleasure from your new family members.

[Purplecrow in reply to Hulotsholiday]

💜🙏🏽💜

[Karenjaninaz]

Half a mg is 20%; 1/4 mg may work better.

[Purplecrow in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Brilliant! I know that… and forgot. 20% reduction is gonna kick back. Thanks for the reminder🙏🏽

[Summerrental]

Molly & Taylor Swift are so cute.

[Purplecrow in reply to Summerrental]

💜😁💜

[Buenavista]

Hi Purplecrow,I'm exactly like you. I was diagnosed in 2012 and for the last 5 years I've been on 5mg of pred. My Rheumatologist said he was happy for me to stay on 5mg to maintain and keep my symptoms under control. I've had 2 flares in that time and always got back down to 5mg. My suggestion to you is, stay on the dosage that keeps your symptoms under control.

Hope that's of some help to you.

Regards,

Buenavista

[Purplecrow in reply to Buenavista]

Thanks, we are on the same page here. I’m 78 years old, and prednisone is really not a big issue for me.

[Suet3942]

I’ve had pmr the same length of time and also was diagnosed with AFib last December. Wonder if there’s a link?

Love your doggies.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suet3942]

People with PMR, like people with RA, have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. I'd suspected it and someone finally did a study!

[Suet3942 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your reply. The delights of having pmr!!

[Purplecrow]

I believe my afib was triggered by last covid vaccine . Cardiologist did not dispute my opinion😉?!? What should we do!?!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Purplecrow]

My a/fib was caused by the autoimmune part of PMR, they started about the same time and PMR is more common amongst PMR patients. The bivalent Covid vaccine made it far worse, went from occasional 2 hour episodes to daily episodes of up to 12 hours within days. However, my medication was changed and it worked very well, I have had another Covid jab since, didn't cause any problems. I had an ablation in January which cured the a/fib and then I had a bisphosphonate infusion a few weeks later and developed atrial tacycardia. I have no doubt I will have my next Covid jab and the next annual infusion. And see what happens.