Don’t be in a rush to get off pred

[Mfaepink1973]

I took my last half mg prednisalone tablet the week before Christmas and have been PMR free since then BUT I’m now struggling with osteoarthritis in my hands, shoulders, hips, back and several toes. These pains were masked while I was on pred until I got to about 2mg and even then they were nowhere near as bad as they are now. My GP won’t prescribe low dose pred and all the non steroidal anti inflammatory medications upset my stomach even with Omeprazole. Once on pred for my PMR I was quite fit and healthy and still working part time in a Care home at the age of 72. Since coming off pred I feel as if I’ve aged 10 years and turned into a decrepit old woman so my advice is Don’t rush to taper off steroids.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That's what we say too!!! Sorry to hear you are suffering.

Are you SURE it is all OA? Because those areas could be inflammation from a very low level of PMR too - been several cases on the forum in the last few months. 1mg, even 1/2mg pred was enough, zero is a step too far. Might be worth trying that tack?

[Charlie1boy in reply to PMRpro]

Yes - that’s what I would do if it had happened to me.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to PMRpro]

I have a small stock of 1mg which I’m going to try. I don’t think it’s PMR though as X-rays show arthritis and it’s not bilateral but if pred eases the pain I don’t care.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry to hear that, but would agree with PMRpro is it all OA - or PMR creeping back... do you have any Pred remaining to try?

Pity GP is blinkered - is there another one in surgery who might be more amenable.

Do topical gels upset stomach? or have you tried Flexiseq [non drug] or other creams for OA.. there are a lot around..but it's sometimes finding which is good for you.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL, Topical gels don’t upset my stomach but don’t have much if any effect on the pain. I’ve tried Ibuprofen and Piroxicam so far and have just ordered some Flexiseq so will give that a go.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mfaepink1973]

Flexiseq doesn't work instantly - can take a few weeks before you notice any improvement.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for letting me know, I’ll persevere with it .

[Hugh_Marc]

interesting that you have upset stomach with Omeprazole.

I couldn’t tolerate it at all. Severe diarrhoea (& I mean severe) the Dr I saw about that said the majority of people struggle with the side effects of Omeprazole.

They switched me onto half the dose of Lansoprazole & I’ve been fine ever since.

[Mfaepink1973 in reply to Hugh_Marc]

Thanks, I’ll ask the doctor about changing to Lansopraze.

[Groggrim in reply to Mfaepink1973]

Hi, I couldn't tolerate Omelprazole, horrid stuff. Lanzoprazole was better but now I choose not to take a PPI. I take my Pred with my breakfast, swallow it with a couple of spoonfuls of greek style bio yogurt then finish my porridge. So far this seems to suit me. Guidelines tell GPs to prescribe PPI but guidelines also told my GP to taper me off Pred at 2.5mg every three weeks from the start!!!! They mean well but one size really does not fit all.