Hi all, I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia in February 2012 I was given 20 mg predisolone straight away which worked immediately and have been pain free since then. I do have little niggles here and then, so I am not grumbling at all. The beginning of April 2013 I managed to get down to 3mg, (I was on 5mg for a good while), but noticed a few days later that those little niggles were turning into big niggles and here we are two weeks later and I have real trouble with my wrists, knees, fingers and bottom of my feet. As anyone experienced these problems and if so should I up my steriods? I have had a CRP test and I am due for a bone density scan next week, then to the Rheumy for results. Any information on this would be appreciated. Angie x
Polymyalgia relapse?: Hi all, I was diagnosed with... - PMRGCAuk
Polymyalgia relapse?
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I do sympathise but I also think until you get your blood results you won't have a guide as to whether it is PMR back or withdrawal from steroids giving you these problems. I have had lots of weird pains getting down from 3 mg to 1.5 where I am currently. Getting under 5 mg seems to be very difficult. Did you reduce very slowly? I only went down 0'5 mg every fortnight and sometimes longer. It takes a long time for the adrenal glands to wake up and under 5 mg they have to start to work hard! Best of luck and would like to hear what the rheumy says. Cath
Sorry Jannyrose I meant to say I wouldn't up your steroids without talking to your GP at least. You seem to have done son well to get down to 3 mg in 12 months so it would be a pity to go back up unless you absolutely have to. I think you have probably come down too quickly...down 2 mg in less than a months is a big drop. Perhaps your body will soon adjust to the lower dose. May be take regular paracetamol until things settle. Cheers
Hi Cath, congrats on getting down to 1.5 and your advice I shall be there one day hopefully. I did not reduce slowly unfortunately and have learned my lesson. I dropped from 5 to 3 in around four weeks and the pains and aches in my feet got worse until I had trouble walking. I have to wait at least 8 weeks now to see my Rheumy for all my results and I couldn't wait that long so I put myself up to 6mg and I feel wonderful. My hands and feet are back to normal, so now I shall reduce very slowly. When I was originally diagnosed with Poly in 2012 I had no problems with my hands and feet so it was strange I should suffer with them this time on reducing. My Rheumy looked a bit confused I must admit when I told him I was having problems moving my hands and feet because of the pain. Take care x
I have the odd niggle in the couple of weeks after a drop. Recently down to 2.5, I am having some aches when I'm tired but have come to accept this as a normal reaction. Once I have stopped having these effects, I will stay on the dosage for another few weeks and then drop again depending also on a blood test. my GP has told me not to rush things.
If you aren't adjusting to the level to which you've reduced, it's safest to go up to the level where you last felt comfortable. I go down 0.5 at a time and don't drop again until I have felt comfortable for at least two weeks, maybe three or four if I have a lot of travelling to do. I'm sure you will soon be OK Jannyrose, but take the reductions steadily and don't push yourself.
I was told I had poly myalgia in 20012 been on steriods come off them 6 moths ago some days are good but I am starting to have more bad days what has helped me is. Exercise I go to keep fit in the local pool and exercise class three times a week it has helped a great deal.