Light at the end of the tunnel

[Ana-16]

As I posted last time I had reduced prednisone to 1mg every 4 days then less. I have now been off medication for 3-4 months with no signs of repercussions. I’m very aware of possibility of relapse or GCA and I suspect I will always be on the alert for any signs. Right now all is well. I will continue to read the daily feed. I wish you all a happy and pain free new year and my heartfelt thanks to all of you who responded with understanding, sympathy and knowledge to all my queries, without your support I would have been totally ignorant of the disease, its trajectory, its side effects etc. My gp (who admitted she knew little of the disease despite diagnosing correctly) has been very impressed and allowed me to take prednisone as I needed and to make my own decisions about tapering etc. I have been lucky.

Once again many thanks and everybody good wish

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Love a good news story - and yours has at least 2 positiives: you doing well off pred and a GP who must have learned a lot about management of GCA and how good at it even a non-medically qualified patient can be! And I hope you gave her the details of the charity and the forum so she can pass them on!

Happy new pred-free year!!

[Ana-16 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. Yes I did!

[Bedwell in reply to PMRpro]

So heartening to hear!! Am on 1 mg basically and introducing •5 very gradually.

[Ana-16]

Good luck!!

[Brooklyn747]

Wishing you well Ana-16 and I sure hope it stays that way. Remission is a dream come true, and wouldn't it be wonderful if this happens to many members this year...fingers crossed 💖

[Ana-16 in reply to Brooklyn747]

Many thanks

[PRL1957]

Excellent news. I hope you remain free of the PMR/GCA.

[Ana-16 in reply to PRL1957]

Many thanks

[Potemkin]

so pleased for you, hope you remain healthy.

[Ana-16 in reply to Potemkin]

Many thanks

[BeerHere]

Ana:

Your comment was interesting. I hope you have indeed set back the PMR or whatever you had.

I agree that there is always a risk of a relapse or a similar condition. I worry about that too.

I had classic PMR symptoms a year ago. My rheumatologist prescribed prednisone and, fortunately, the problems vanished quickly. But my blood tests suggested my problem was different from PMR We don't know what it was. But the blog reminded me of the wide variations in how PMR conditions affect people. I am grateful that I got off prednisone very quickly. It looks like my case was some PMR variant and my ability to drop prednisone was fortunate since many people stay on steroids for a long, long time.

Alas, I have no idea what triggers the oneset of PMR or PMR variants. I guess you and I both have to be mindful of future PRM-like conditions.

I wish you great luck!

Tim

[Ana-16 in reply to BeerHere]

And good wishes to you

[Angelsmummy]

Lucky,lucky Girl!! Send some of your good luck to your fellow sufferers will you Ana?Really hope you stay free of this awful disease and the very best of luck for the future!xxx💐💐💐

[Ana-16 in reply to Angelsmummy]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to all x