still stiff and in pain..

[Cashewnutty1962]

Hi all again. If you recall, I increased my dose of prednisone from

4mgs to 6mgs following flare up/DOMS. I have been on the increased dose for 4 days now.. the pain and stiffness is only marginally improved. I dread lying down at night as the stiffness and pain is dreadful. My GP did say to increase to 5 mgs but I went 1 more. I am finally accepting that it’s more important to control my symptoms than to get off the medication. Do I wait a few more days on 6 mgs or can I increase the dose now? I know my GP will question my request for another prescription…

[piglette]

It is normally suggested you increase by 5mg for a week or two to really hit the PMR pain on the head, then drop down in a couple of reductions if everything is OK.

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to piglette]

Thank you.. I did read the guidelines posted on this group earlier this week. I’m sure my GP won’t be happy that I’m requesting more meds as I have increased the dose higher than she suggested.. oh well… that’s life😂

[piglette in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

Your doctor isn’t the one with PMR.

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to piglette]

Exactly!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

She might not be happy - but if her suggestion isn’t working then she needs to know… otherwise she’ll assume it is..

..guidelines do say -

Increase prednisolone to the previous dose that controlled symptoms and monitor the response.

If symptoms settle, continue on this dose and consider tapering the prednisolone dose more cautiously by increasing the scheduled dose durations or reducing the scheduled dose reductions to try to prevent further relapses.

If symptoms do not settle, seek specialist advice.

In your case do you know what dose controlled symptoms? … and the specialist advice could be us [or at least the charity] 😊

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hi I was fine on 4.5mgs UNTIL I gardened like a madwoman and went down to 4mgs 😂 Increasing the dose to 6mgs does not appear to be cutting it this time. I was planning to take an extra 3mgs before bed tonight taking dose to 9mgs? Or can I just take the extra now?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

Take extra now -why wait.. your PMR won’t! 🤣😂

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to DorsetLady]

Sorted!! Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

👍

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to DorsetLady]

Will report back in a few days. At least hopefully the flare up will be gone by the time we leave for holiday 1st May.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

Well you definitely want it to be… so fingers crossed it is.. and I’d drop back to 5mg or even 6mg for duration of holiday… plenty of time to reduce after that!

[Cashewnutty1962 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you.. I will reduce back to 6 for the holiday.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Cashewnutty1962]

Good luck ..