... anyone else out there that my be taking it for this condition and any problems they may have encountered? It seems like one has to stay on this for an undetermined amount of time to resolve it?
I have just been started on prednisone for Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I'm looking for any input from?
Question posted by K-Love Listener on 6 July 2012
Last updated on 15 December 2018
4 Answers
DerekHML
16 July 2017
I have been on prednisolone for 2 years for polymyalgia rheumatica as part of trial involving Leeds Teaching Hospitals.
Started at 15mg per day and gradually reduced to zero. Symptoms in arms, shoulders and neck went away within a week or two. No apparent side effects.
I also have a chronic back problem and prednisolone seemed to help this a little while I was taking it, probably due reduced inflammation.
Whilst I was taking pred I was also on Alendronic Acid to help retain calcium and Calceos calcium tablets. Some people seem to need to stay on a low dose, but seems better to cut it out completely, if possible. I plan to keep taking the Alendronic Acid and Calceos for a few more weeks to be safe as pred can give rise to osteoporosis otherwise.
kandsferrara
9 Feb 2013
I have been on prednisone since september and have had allot of side affects. First my eyesight went, I could no longer see far and I never needed glasses to read email and then I did, I have lost 30 pounds since september and my blood sugar went from normal to reading in the high 350 level. The good news is the prednsone did help with the polymyalgia rheumatica until I started going off it. I have not gained the weight back which is not good because I have lost all my muscle , but my eye sight is back to normal and I have gone on metformin to correct the blood sugar and is working fine. I got down to 7mg of prednisone but some of the pain has returned so my Dr, has me back up to 10mg for a while. Hope this helps
Smiley22
2 Jan 2014
What dose did you start with ? And how long did it take you to go down to 7 mgs and how long before the pain came back on 7mgs be for had to go back to 10mgs ?
PEGGYF
30 Jan 2017
I have been on prednisone since last Sept. I started at 20mg and now down to 9mg. At 10mg my dr said she has to go down 1mg at a time. So far I am fine with 9mg. Hopefully I will be off it soon! Good Luck!
endlessPred
7 July 2012
Been on prednisone for over seven years now. Just went back to twenty today because of pain. Much less pain at twenty and above. Vicodin helps but makes me anxious. I have polymyositis and interstitial lung disease. Long periods of pred above forty up to sixty and for a while eighty. So I know the ins and outs a bit. At thirty and above split the dose. Half in am and half in pm. Easier on the system and told by my Rhuemy to do so. Therapeutic level is constant.
My disease will,have me on prednisone indefinitely. However, my Rhuemy also prescribes prednisone reducing meds to go with it. You need to also be on Fosamax or one of the bone strengthening meds. Essential. 1200mg calcium, I use chewables, and the Vit D. Get tested again to be sure you are taking enough. It varies over time.
This is also hard on the stomach. Be sure you are given a med to protect you from acid reflux. Guaranteed to happen considering you will have days where you are lying done more than sitting upright or being active. Always take with food. Something with fiber like fruit or grains helps considerably on reducing stomach issues when you take it.
More questions? Many are here to answer. Wishing you a better day. Karen
K-Love Listener
7 July 2012
Thanks again for everyone's input. Fortunately, my symptoms seem to be gone after 3 days. I am going to split the dose in half. Made me to jittery today. I have been living on 80 mg. of Pepcid for many years so I hope that takes care of any possible stomach issues. I need to find and learn the best approaches to handle this condition. I have a daughter who is critically ill and on dialysis, a couple grandsons to worry about along with my 83 year old mom who all depend on me. Can't afford not to be mobile. Appreciate all tips and suggestions. Take Care.
endlessPred
7 July 2012
Hi. Pepcid is not the answer. Go back to your doc and get something like ranitidine. Many OTC are not to be used with prednisone. Talk with a pharmacist for something better. They have your meds on file and can help you with something until you see the doc. Hang in there. You won't be able to help them all if you don't take good care of yourself.
K-Love Listener
7 July 2012
The Pepcid I take is a prescription dose. Had stomach issues for 30 years and have been through them all. Pepcid is the only one that doesn't give me other problems. I am very hopeful with the prayers of many friends that this will be resolved in the short term. Thanks again!
endlessPred
7 July 2012
Ok. Just wanted to be sure you tried this med because I have had zero side effects and it works well. My GI doc prescribed it. My regular doc had me on omeprazole which counteracted with other meds. Just sayin'...
I too hope that you are through this very soon. Once the prednisone tapers to less you will feel better from its effects. Just be sure you don't just stop. It could easily cause death or coma because of organ shut downs. Slow and easy does it and you will get the most benefit from it.
I am sure your docs are working on controlling the disease by stopping inflammation head on. Once you taper, they will see when effects come back. That will help them decide what meds to add in. It does take time as everyone is different. Hang on. Give those little ones a hug, ok?
kandsferrara
8 Feb 2013
I started treatment for Polymyalgia rheumatica back in September and started at 30 mg of prendisone. Everything went well till January when I started to wake up each morning with allot of pain in both hands. Can not brush teeth drink my coffee with out using two hands. Have cut down to 7 mg when I went back to 10 mg because of the pain. Has anyone else had these symptoms.
endlessPred
9 Feb 2013
This common with prednisone. You go down and then have to go back up. With my disease I will, never be off of it unless they develop something with stem cells.
I keep close contact with my Rhuemy and at times these are almost daily battles and then we stabilize and start again. Flareups are inherent at the dose you have been at. You need a slower taper than you have used. Usually one mg per month or slower.
chinadoll78
6 July 2012
I have been on Prednisone for Polymyalgia for almost 3 yrs now. My doctor told me when I first started taking it that if I take it right before going to bed that I may have problems going to sleep so I take it first thing of the morning. I can't say I have had any problems with taking the pred so far. But I was told to make sure I take a calcium vitamin daily because pred may make your bones brittle.
kaismama
6 July 2012
Don't forget vit D too
K-Love Listener
6 July 2012
Thank you for your response. It is much appreciated. I guess I am hoping to not have to take the prednisone for a long period of time becauseof so many possible side effects, however, without it, it seems like you can hardly move without pain. My Vitamin D was already low with the initial blood tests so I was started on a weekly Vitamin D capsule and I have to have a bone density test done in the near future. I'm taking 40 mg. of predisone daily and I know he would like t see that reduced. I had never heard of this condition before, but it seems there are many folks with it. Thanks again for your response. Take Care
kaismama
6 July 2012
Its not all that unusual, its just not a name that's talked about a lot.
big_CHEEKS3
5 Feb 2013
You don't state how much Prednisone you are taking. That may make a difference on how you feel. The stronger the dose, the more side effects you may experience. Good luck to you and your success in sending this muscle disease into remission.
Marie Rose
1 Oct 2013
I've been on Prednisome for 18 months, starting at 20 ml. now down to 3. I've had several minor relapses so am tapering down dosage very slowly, 1/2 ml. every 3-4 weeks. I'm hoping to be off this stuff by Feb. 2014. Have other people successfully been able to terminate this medication and are back to pre-prednisome self?
Cathy Watt
26 April 2017
I was just diagnosed with polymyalgia a few weeks ago and prescribed prednisone. While it helped tremendously it also caused a lot of swelling. Im trying to lose weight so I was weaned off it for now until I can lose some weight, which the doctor said may help, and will try again after I've hit my target weight. Living with this pain is depressing. Praying for a cure.
BonnieRomeo
15 Dec 2018
Have u noticed any gain?
BonnieRomeo
15 Dec 2018
Have u noticed any gain?
Related topics
polymyalgia rheumatica, prednisone
Further information
- Prednisone uses and safety info
- Prednisone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prednisone (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.