Having managed with co-codamol doctor says it must be steroids. Any Tips out there
Hello Patricia, you will be given prednisolone to control the inflamation that in turn is causing the PMR pain. 15mgs for 6 weeks, 12.5 for 6 weeks, 10mgs for 6 weeks then it's following Eileen's dead slow and almost stop tapering regime. Do look up the Bristol PMR plan, that will give you a lot of information about the condition and its treatment. Also look up PMR on this website.
it's very important that you reduce the prednisolone very slowly and by little dose drops otherwise you could end up with a flare, that's when the inflamation takes hold again and so in turn you will have to up your medication to get it back under control again.
do keep in touch, there are loads of members who can help you with many queries.
goid luck, christina
Patricia, follows this link it will take you to another page on this site for information.
http://www.patient.co.uk/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316
Hi Patricia, sorry to meet you here but glad you came. I was just diagnosed with PMR last November and put on 20mg of steroid. Co-codamol did nothing for me. I was never as glad to get steroids in all my life. Pain was unbearable on a scale of 0 being not so bad to 10 the worst pain, I would say 15. Hang around this forum, you will get more information and support and advice from everyone. All the best on your journey. Regards Pat
I am so sorry you have been diagnosed with PMR, however the steroids should make an amazing difference to the pain.
Follow this link and then look at the websites that are listed in that first post - you will find a host on info and contacts.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316
The NE of England group website in particular has stories from other PMR people and if you join the group (you don't have to live in the north of England) you get an info pack - with what is being acclaimed as an excellent booklet about PMR and GCA.
By the way - if it is PMR, the steroids will make a big difference to your pain and stiffness but it may not be 100% so don't be disappointed if you still have some pain. And then you need to reduce SLOWLY to find the right dose for longer term use. Like arthritis this is a chronic disease - you are looking at years not weeks of pred.
The booklet 'Living with PMR & GCA is available as a single item. It was written by patients for patients.
Follow the link above.
Thanks for all your help everyone, and taking the time to reply, will get on viewing all your information