long term low mgs Prednisone ?

[Heidiypi1]

just wondering I’ve been on prednisone for nearly 3 years mostly on low doses and I’m now on 3mgs, is it ok to stay on this long term?… I have PMR still, managing with 3mgs now..

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

To be at 3mg at the 3 years mark sound fine… and as per your previous post you have/are under stress, so staying at that dose for a few months will do little harm. In fact one of them most respected Rheumy [based in UK, but internationally known] sometimes keeps his patients around that dose for long period.

[Sharitone]

FWIW, I am also on 3mg LT - on rheumy's orders🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've been at well above that for many years - and really not got anything to complain about! I am stable at 7mg pred together with Actemra and my rheumy is quite happy.

But don't assume this is it - people still get off pred after 10 years!

[dccarver]

Prednisone is great when you need it to counter PMR. However, there are a number of side effects with blood sugar levels, bones density and neuropathy to name a few. My specialist suggested I get off prednisone asap to avoid issues, even at low doses. It took quite some time but I am now off prednisone and live with the residual aches and pains that I tolerate.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to dccarver]

and live with the residual aches and pains that I tolerate.

That may be fine for now, but if those are related to inflammation in your body, and that continues to build up, it may well be causing issues neither you nor you rheumy is aware of.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to dccarver]

If they are due to the dripping tap of unresolved inflammation eventually the bucket overflows and you may end up back where you started. If that happens it can be harder to get under control.

[Omanain]

I have a few pain conditions and when I got down to 2mg my GP told me it was up to me whether I reduced further or not. Just to let him know if I did so he could do a blood test. I think he may have been reading up!