I was supposedly diagnosed with PMR ( although my rheumatologist hasnt quite commited to it) approx 3 - 4 months now. I stared at 30mg of prednisone now been on 12mg for the last 2 months. I was doing okay but lately have experienced fluid retention in my feet and legs especially. My face has blown up like a balloon and now exeprience pain in my legs as a result. Is there anything i can do to relieve the fluid. My doctor hasnt prescribed any lasic or diuretic of any sort. He actually thinks my supposed PMR is actually rheumatoid arthritis even though my esr are still high
No doctor here, but I strongly suspect that you tapered far too fast and you are having a recurrence as a result. Most of us start at 15 to 20 mg and taper at a rate of 21/2 milligrams every 4 to 6 weeks after having stayed at our initial dosage for six weeks. The fact that you started at 30 and are down to 12 is a precipitous decline that no one on this site would advise. I suspect you would feel much better step in the dosage back up to 15 mg or maybe 17 1/2, and started tapering I knew from that point. As to the ballooning of your face and weight gain, these are side effects of prednisone, and can only be tempered with a radical change in diet.
I have really bad fluid retention from the pred in both my legs and feet. I have tried everything to improve the problem including manual lymphatic drainage. I do have regular leg and foot massages. My GP does not want to give me diuretics as they are counterindicative with pred. He said keep your feet up which is not exactly possible.
Thanks for the tip. I will up my dosage again.
Exactly, when do you make time to put my feet up. I have three daughters in high school and work long hours although struggling to say the least. My rheummy thinks i am too young for this disease and still wont commit...so frustrating
I am beginning to think that doctors live in another universe!
I too have been diagnosed with PMR about a month ago. I am taking 20 mg of prednisone and will continue with that dosage for 3 months. Then it will be tapered after that time. Had a check-up yesterday and asked the question "If the prednisone is working and making a dramatic improvement, is it definitely PMR I have". His response was it could be PMR or RA because the prednisone would work for both. I already tested negative for RF, but am having some atypical symptoms that he believes may not be related to PMR. Hand swelling, knee pain, lower back pain. Becasue of this and because I am only 50 years old, he is doing further testing for RA. It is frustrating waiting for a diagnosis. To date, I have had no side effects of prednisone.
I am impressed that you are allowed to stay on 20mg for three months, my rheumie wanted me to reduce to 15mg after three weeks. Perhaps you have someone who is not hell bent on reduce reduce reduce.
Try increasing the amount of foods that act as a diuretic, that you eat. I've had good effect from water melon, beetroot and celery. google it and you will find lots more. Making a smoothie gets lots of them in, but I have a bowl of water melon in the morning and also salads incorporating them. Delicious and many are anti inflammatory as well.