Polymyalgia Rheumatica Prednisone

Thanks Jennis. I'm going to check it out.

Hi, I was diagnosed with PMR in 2008, it was a simple blood test that showed what I had. I was put on 10mg prednisone and it was a miracle, no pain after 2 days, after months of severe suffering, I could barely even walk. After 1 year and another blood test, Dr. said PMR was gone, so I started to taper off the pills. Side effects were hideous! I did manage after 3-4 months to be off the pred completely but quickly the pain came back, even worse than the 1st time. It was suggested that my PMR had morphed into Fibromyalgia, or rheumatoid arthritis. So, as I go into year 6 of having these problems, still on 5 mg. of prednisone, and horrible side effects, my PMR seems to be back with a vengence, all the same old pains, neck, shoulders, groin area, hips. I have a Dr's appt and will have to do a bunch of tests, but I know it's back, I could never forget the pain. I refuse to up my dosage of the pred, though, no way. I find it hard to walk, get out of bed, and forget about working. Sometimes if I drop something on the floor, I almost cry with the thought of having to pick it up. What a way to live. I'll let you all know what happens in a week or 2. Thanks for having this website!! Colleen

I too returned home from a trip to Spain Portugal and Morocco. I have been unwell with progressive symptoms ever since. It started with flu like symptoms and then went to joint pain and inflammation traveling to various body joints and muscles including shoulders, hips, knees and hands. It has taken 8 months for diagnosis. I took prednisone for two days, 10mg. Which worked wonderfully. After agonizing over the side effects and knowing I can not live with them, I have decided to try and manage this with whatever natural methods, including diet and creams, over the counter pain killers I ca to see if I can cope without prednisone. Rheumatologist wants to put me on methotrexate. I will only go on these drugs as a last resort. I pray it will work. I am a stubborn gal, so I will give it my best shot!
Susie

I too was diagnosed and prescribed Prednisone by my rheumatologist. The next day my family doctor called and requested I go immediately for a Mammography exam as prednisone can promote the growth of any existing hidden cancers.

Mine is chronic and I am going on about 27 years now. It has taken me forever to be diagnosed because most doctors do not realize that this disease can be chronic.

im so sorry for you as i have had PMRfor 5 years now and im still no better and the steroids have knocked me about terribly i cannot walk some days have now had to go into a wh eele chair something i hate to have to do .but i just have no strength at all some days so i know what you are going through if you ever need to chat im always hear on 01726816153 rita same as you hurtsallover

I had a similar experience as you. I have the terrible pain in my arms and can't lift them or even when I am sleeping it hurts. At first I was given a predisone pack that u start with 4mg like 5 times a day and then go down to 4mg 4times a day and so on. The pain stopped almost immediately and I felt so good. The Dr kept me on a matinence dose of 2/1/2 milligrams a day. Recently I had a Bronchitist and was sick for 10 days and all my pain is back. I go to the Dr tomorrow and I am hoping he gives me the Pack of predisone again so I can feel better. I will let u know how it goes

I have been on prednisone for over 2 years, and am finally down to 2 mg a day.  Everytime I try to go lower or come completely off, the symptoms return.  How long does it take to come completely off?  I now am having trouble with my eyes as a result of the long-term use of prednisone and really want to come completely off.

I was just given the PMR diagnoses 8/03/2015 after extreme pain and mobility issues.
20 mg of prednisone for 1 week, then
15 mg for one month.
12.5 mg for one month
Blood test then reevaluation with doctor in Novembe 2015
Initial dose has helped but still have discomfort in shoulders as well as my neck. Mobility range of motion is better. So far not side effects. Hope it stays that way
Thank you all fore sharing.
Cathy

The definitive diagnosis of PMR is that it responds almost immediately (3 days) to predisone at around 20mg. Related condition of Giant Cell Arteritis needs a start-off at 60 mg. If you're not responding at 4 months you don't have PMR.

Thank you! I am down to 7 mg to date. Feeling better, mobility increased pain level down.

Beatrice how are you doing now-after one year. I was just diagnosed and have some real concerns. This is the first post I've read that didn't leave me terrified. Thank you so much

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Bit late but trust you are improved. Some people are more susceptible to auto immune problems but it is that trait that may be inherited not the disease...something triggers it, stress, illness and a suggestion of certain everyday bugs like a urine or chest infection. They think that as surgeries often experience a cluster effect of people after a virus outbreak. I believe Scandinavian descent is mooted as a factor. Regards sam

After dosing down over a span of 1.5 years from 15 mgs of prednisone, my PM returned about six months later. I am daily active and have changed my diet to a healthier anti-inflammatory one. I absolutely do not want to take prednisone again due to the negative side affects, especially over time. Since I am a 65 year old man, I hopfully need to look at long term remedies. The game changer to me is discovering CBD -- the active inflammatory component of marijuana without the high. In California where I live, medical marijuana has been available for a while. But pure CBD, without the THC has been legal as a supplement for a long time. Wow does it work. I am totally surprised that this is not a regular discussion on chat sites.

I have been on 10 mg per day for two years and have found some relief, although I still want to know what this is and why? Is it a possible reaction to Statins, which I took for only a few months and could hardly walk, I quit them and felt better for years until this hit?