I''ve been diagnosed with PMR for over 2 months. Taking prednisone for 3 days reduced the hip and shoulder pain. I continued at 15 mg for over a month. Over the past 3 weeks I've been getting bad wrist and knee pain in the mornings. It could be because I reduced the prednisone from 15mg to 12.5 for 2 days. But increasing to 15 and then 17.5 and 20 for 2 days has not reduced the pain. I'm wondering if the wrist and knee pain could be a side affect of taking prednisone. I would appreciate your thoughts.
Hi I was recently PMR as well. It started with knee pain and then after a month or so my shoulders and hands, especially my thumbs. I thought my hands were hurting because of using them to get up off the bed, couch, chair etc. because my knee would not bend to get up. After about 3 weeks I finally went for blood work knowing something was really wrong and my shoulders and hands were not from overuse. I had fever and a 20 lb weight loss. My sed rate was very high and the diagnosis was made. In answer to your question, I don't think the knee and wrist pain is from the prednisone. I am also on 12.5 of pred now. My question is how long did it take for your pain to go away? I still have alot of pain in my shoulders and hands. My knee started up again too. I am going to hand therapy and for a second opinion for the PMR diagnosis. I was wondering if your pain and symptoms went away right away? I am very discouraged with all of this. I hope you or anyone else can comment. Thanks.
Hi Teri, With me, the pain started in the hips and shoulders, which is typical of PMR. Prednisone at 15 mg made a big improvement, but did not take the pain away from my shoulder and upper arm completely. About 5 weeks ago pain and stiffness commenced in my hands, wrists, knees and feet. I tried reducing and increasing the pred between 20mg and 12.5 mg, with no improvement. Last week my doctor increased the pred to 75mg for a couple of days, then reducing through 50, 37.5 to 25. The higher dose seems to have helped.
I saw an arthritis specialist today. He used an ultrasound on my ankles and found fluid on the joints. Because of this he says he thinks I may have inflammatory arthritis. He has referred me for blood tests and xrays to confirm his diagnosis. He has asked me to stay on 25 mg pred for a week, then reduce to 12.5. He is foreshadowing the use of methotrexate, which is an immunosuppressivedrug. This worries me a bit and I hope I can avoid using it.
I get pain only when using my hands, knees and feet, and it eases as the day goes on, but never goes away completely. I am discouraged by this disease too, as I have had fairly good health till now and look after my body with good food and exercise.
Hi Murray,
Thanks for responding. I am sorry that you are not feeling much better either. What is inflammatory arthritis? That is a lot of Prednisone. My friend is taking Methotrexate for RA. She is doing ok on it. All of these drugs help one thing and have potential side effects. I hope you get some relief soon. I am going to the doctor again tomorrow. I will see what she has to say. I really don't want to increase the Prednisone again. I have been out of work all summer and I would really love to go back. Well, thanks again for your response. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Teri