Help! Can't take Pred. Can barely move. | Arthritis Information
My mom (67 yrs) was diagnosed with PMR about 5 months ago. Came on basically overnight. Pain so bad all over she can barely lift her arms or walk at all. Pred helped initially then stopped so Dr kept increasing the dose to 40 mg which made it about 80% better. However, over time the Pred cause massive fluid retention in her body such that she can barely breathe when she lays down and her legs in particular have filled with so much fluid it looks like they might explode.
Dr is weaning her off the Pred and giving her something for the fluid retention, but he doesn't know what to do next. She's almost off the Pred, the pain is back 100% and the fluid retention has only gotten slightly better.
Anyone seen this? Suggestions for non-Pred treatment?
Hi Mooky
So sorry for your Mom and her problem. There is nothing worse than being in intense pain and no diagnosis for it. This has to be so frustrating for you both.
The first question I have.... is she seeing a specialist (rheumatolagist or internist) or just a general practicioner. If not I would insist on it. The second question is did the Dr. prescribe a diuretic for the water retention at the same time as the pred? I have been taking Novo=hydrazide (diuretic) since I was put on pred and if my blood pressure goes up I have to take a second one.
I have seen others who have been prescribed the same medications as for RA for PMR but I have not paid too much attention to it. I wish you much luck in trying to find some answers.
Yep, she is seeing a rheum. She was given a diuretic but it's not doing enough. Thanks for the kind words.I was diagnosed with PMR in November - one week after 60th birthday - can't take steroids as I get psychotic though huge dose injected in the leg in the early days made it go away overnight but made me mad. Rheuma man has put me on Methotrexate - I'm on second week. I am also taking a mixture of Anti inflams and Co-codamol to keep the pain at bay until methotrexate kicks in and reduces my immune system to zilch - about 6 weeks. Rheuma says methotrexate not proven for PMR but GP and others seem to think it will work. Am still on 5mg Pred but looking to get off everything when Metho works - soon I hope. Can't lift arms and have very painful nights. Hi Susanna, I really hope the metho starts working soon for you, I believe it does help PMR and others here are using it. That is very scary about having a psychotic reaction to pred, I have read about this side effect of high doses. I believe metho takes about six weeks to really get going, so hang in there!
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