Prednisolone and PMR

joyful164
joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
edited 11. Nov 2009, 02:18 in Living with Arthritis archive
Attended my appt with my Rheumy consultant last week. Had been suffering with loads of pain and I was right. It was my Polymyalgeria Rheumatica flaring up again. Running alongside Bursitis of the hip, RA, PsA and Spondylitis, I felt a mess. First of all he gave me an injection in my left hip like before. Haven't felt any benefit yet. He didn't even look at my right hip. He told me that I should increase my Preds from 2.5 mg a day to 5 a day. for my PMR
Well, had to see my GP this morn. Went through my appt and gave him Rheumy's note. Changed ord Tramadol to Tramadol HCL. Then he gave me the bad news I had dreaded. I have to increase my Preds. Not 5 mg a day, no I have to take the following decreasing doses. 20 mg x 3 days, 15mg x 3 days, 10mg 4 days, then 5 mg for 2 months. He thinks the lowest I can go down to is 4mg a day which he will discuss next appt.
MyGp has PMR and is suffering just as badly as me. I shall never lose weight at this rate. I have a plan though and will discuss with the dietition on Wed. And then, just to round off my appt with GP I asked if he could look at my ear. I've only got a perferated ear drum. I thought it felt strange and painful, but put it down to all my other aches and pains.
The other ear is full of mucus after my virus. I think I shall go and dig a hole and bury myself.

joy

Comments

  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Oh, Joy, you have my hearfelt sympathy...........I've been at that point so many times with PMR and like you, I dread hearing that I must increase the Pred to silly numbers. I know that within 24 hours I will be manic, ravenous and sweating buckets.

    I hope you can manage the reductions without any trouble, I often hit a wall at 10mg and can't get down any further for some time.

    Do let me know how you get on and how the dietician appointment goes - I've got a funny story about an appointment with a dietician which I'll tell you sometime!
    Moan away to me as much as you like - I can't offer anything but a listening ear and sympathy.........but I'm here.

    Love n' hugs
    Annie
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello, It sounds as if you are really in a bad way, I am sorry and hope that the meds will help you sort out the problems. Having an ear infection on top of everything else is just about the limit. :(

    I hope that it wont be too long until you are back to your normal self again. Its a depressing time of the year, too and lots of bugs doing the rounds, so take care and look after yourself.

    Love Sue
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Marie and Sue

    Thanks for your messages.
    I hate it when I have to go through one of these stages. I thought I had got everything to a fine balance.
    Now, it's back to square one again. Had to rearrange my pill dispenser yesterday and my OH was watching in amazement at me trying to count out the different pills for the next 2 weeks.
    These pill dispensers are the only way for me to get it right and saves going through every box in the cupboard each morning. My OH only has 5 tablets to take each morning.
    Felt really bad yesterday, what with MTX injection aswell. Always have a bad night after that. Then Weds absolutely worn out, but push myself off to my art class where I cheer up because I am with my friends. Gets me away from my OH for 2 hrs. Because I can't drive at the moment I feel as though all my independence has gone.

    I shall probably not be messaging for some time. IT problems will mean that the hard drive is going to our IT specialist. We are having probs shutting down and saving data.

    See you all soon I hope and thanks for messages.
    Hope
    Joy

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