Hi all,
After being on 10 mg. of prednisone for one month, I'm increasing back up to 11 mg. tonight. I think I had decreased too quickly, and have been in quite a bit of pain in my hips and shoulders. I'm really hoping that the 1 mg. increase will help. Tonight I feel like a fraud. How can I give anyone advice when I can't even help myself . I'm sorry if I have steered anyone on the wrong course.
Janniemontanawoman
Do not beat yourself up - we all have ups and downs and think if we try that or this it will help and maybe work.
Two things to remember - there is No Cause and No Cure, the medics are as much in the dark as we are sometimes and they do there best.
Pred is not the enemy - PMR is.
Methotextrate and some others drugs, are steroid sparing agents only and NOT A CURE. There is none at present. What drugs suit some, do not suit others, sometimes it is 'suck it and see'.
The classic case I always think of is - I took penicillin without problems whenever it was prescribed over the years and I must admit it was not often. I was prescribed it, when I was 60 because of a nasty ear infection - result full blown analyptic shock and paramedics just made it in time.
Just read up as much as possible about any new medication offered, ask the awkward question, check up with the pharmacists - ask is it compatible to what I am currently taking, check on the north east website and also post here and on Patients Experience then decide which way you want to go.
Take everything slowly now, and go up to where you are comfortable and start all over again and good luck. You could try ADT when you are comfortable on 10mg or Ragnar's method. Just remember - PMR decides when it wants to take a hike.
Good Luck.
Hang in there Jannie. Don't beat yourself up (PMR does a good enough job of that already unfortunately). Everyone is different and the taper needs to be modified sometimes. Maybe there's been a bit more stress in your life lately that could cause a bit of a flare? Don't know.
Hope the additional 1mg does the trick for you. Take care.
Thank you Mrs. UK and Rick for your replies. You're right, we're already being beat up by PMR, no need to add to that. And I have to force myself to taper more slowly next time. I've had PMR for 18 months and been up and down with the prednisone. I was just so hopeful that I could stay at 10 mg. and have fewer side effects!
I've now developed Raynaud's Syndrome from the PMR. Just getting cold milk out of the fridge will cause my fingers to turn white and numb.
Must remember to count my blessings. I had a wonderful time with my kindergartners this morning. So innocent and eager!
Thanks for being there,
Jannie
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