A few days ago, I accidentally left a 2 mg fragment of my 15 mg morning dose of prednisolone in the pill dispenser. At dawn, the next day, I had an annoying PMR ache - mainly in my outer, left shoulder - that lasted until tea-time.
Apart from that day, I have been PMR pain free for a fortnight. In the past month, I have tapered successfully from a split dose of 17/7 to 15/7 and will drop to 14/7 on Monday.
I find it remarkable that a dosing mistake of just 2 mg could bring back PMR symptoms so quickly and yet, by that evening, the symptoms had dissipated. If so, tapering should be relatively straightforward in future.
Could the symptoms I describe be attributed to Prednisolone withdrawal rather than PMR flareup?
Reduction above 10 mg usually is easier for everyone. Yes, that was most likely withdrawal. I was going in 2.5mg steps above 10mg... Now that I am at 4mg, even 0.5mg steps seems troublesome.
I'm sure it may have been contributary but we have all had to cut pred into smaller amounts and left a few fragments, one reason the DSNS method is so useful.
Possibly, although I wouldn't have thought so - more that the dose was slightly too low to manage all the inflammation. Or it could have been coincidence or both one on top of the other. It doesn't take much sometimes for a return of pain - I get it at the same steady dose when the weather changes or I did something that aggravates the PMR pain.
On the days I reduce by just .5 mg of prednisone (with the DSNS method) I definitely feel the slight niggle of pain and dull ache here and there. Just that little amount makes a big difference to me! I am at 6.5 and trying to get to 6 but mostly holding at the 6.5 for that very reason. Too much stress teaching I assume to let me go lower. Good news, I just turned 66 so I can collect my social security (here in the U.S.) so that is lovely! That was the best birthday present I must say.
Happy Birthday. I too turned, 66 yesterday. In Australia we get the pension at 65 so I have already been on it for a year. Hope you had a very nice day. My PMR is behaving itself on 13/7 mgms.
Take care. Kath
Since my residual PMR pain has declined steadily over the last month, it does seem likely the one-day pain stemmed from the overlooked 2 mg fragment.
On 13/7 mg and doing well! At 14/7, after 8 weeks, I'm almost there.