I was off prednisone for 7 months. Had to get off of it because of glaucoma.
The day after Christmas I really knew that PMR was going away. Then three days later a I an ear ache and it hurt in front of my ear. I've had ear aches all the time for years. I took some anti-hystime and it usually kicked it in a day. Well this hung on from Sunday, and New years eve day and New Years day.
I figured I had better quit messing around in case this was the Giant Cell Arthritis and that pain was similar. So went to my regular doctor and she put me on antibiotics for 10 days, but she didn't want to gamble either that it wasn't GCA. She prescribed 30 mgs of prednisone for 3 days; 20mgs for 3 days and then 10 mgs for 3 days and then quit. Yikes.
I took two today and I think, my right knee is feeling a little stiff. So I cut one from tomorrow in half and took it. I have heard that taking big doses of prednisone doesn't suppress your adrenaline gland, so I hope I'm not going to have to go through the withdrawal symptoms again.
I really felt so good those few days after Christmas. My knees where 90 per cent good with my left arm the only thing that felt stiff, like tendinitis.
The funny part is, the first day of prednisone did not kick the pain of my left arm like prednisone did within 12 hours when I took it the first time. That sort of led me to believe that PMR had left my body.
One good thing, my eye pressure had gone down with one more drop in my eyes for the glaucoma. So I felt good about that and the PMR leaving...I guess I will have about five more days to see what the prednisone withdrawal will be.
I have been taking 2000 mgs of Vitamin C since November 25, 2007. I do think it helped.
Just want to let you know about the big and short use of prednisone. I'll keep you posted. Mary
Oh Mary, so sorry to hear that, so disappointing for you. But good that your eye pressure is OK. I'm picking it's not GCA and your doctor is just becing diligent - which is good. You have a history of earache, so here's hoping that's all it is and the antibiotics clear it up. Interesting that your body aches and pains did not respond to the pred, you could be right and that you don't have PMR anymore. I wonder what your sed rate was (before you started this high pred regime). Did you have a test taken? Cos I believe that GCA is very rare without high ESR. Much more rare than PMR with normal ESR. Did your doc suggest a temporal artery biopsy?Thank you Chico....your message is very encouraging. I did a blood test and she wanted me to wait for 20 minutes to tell me how it was going. The last time I had the CED test it was at 53. When she came back to the waiting room, she said it was not complete but had gone down considerably. Evidently she was looking to see if it was up and she would suspect GCA.
I had not ever heard of the "short sharp shock" prednisone treatments before. It was really strange how it didn't knock the pain in my arms. Which leads me to believe I now have just tendinitis from stressing them so much moving my body with my arms all this time. They don't hurt today. I have been keeping them close to my body though. I realize when I pull the car door closed, it hurts them. I will just have to baby them along until they get healed up.
For some reason, right after Christmas I was feeling so good except for my arms, I thought that the PMR had left because my knees really felt well. I could bend down and sit on my haunches and they didn't hurt.
I'm beginning to think I just had an ear ache and the antibiotics will cure it. Or, maybe I do have an allergy to something. Next time I am going to try some Claratin, which one doctor suggested several years ago. I tried a couple times, but at that time Claritin was so expensive, I gave up on it. Now it is over the counter and a bit cheaper.
I'll keep you posted when I get done with my final Prednisone regime this time. Thank you for your very enlightening message. Mary
Mauder....really strange, I wrote a message to you and it is not appearing. That was just after I wrote the one above. I gave my thoughts on prednisone with long time use and how it suppresses the adrenal gland. Then when you stop taking prednisone you have to do it slowly so your own adrenal gland starts making cortisol.
I did not know that you could do a short few days with it and not feel any after affects. Evidently, according to Chico, and my doctor must know too, you can take it short term without withdrawal pains.
Your dropping slowly should give your adrenal gland time to get back to work and give your body what it needs.
Still wonder, where the other message is at....maybe it will turn up yet? It's been over 12 hours since I wrote it though.
Hope you are feeling have way decent today. Mary
Yes, you can take a high dose for a very short time (several days or a week)