i was diagnosed with pmg in April this year ive had two. attempts at reducing the second time the dsm after two weeks on 12 (started on 15) started getting pain tried 13 for a few days had to then go up to 15 . i have to work 3 days a week which is a 8 hour physically demanding job i feel to continue this work l will have to stay on 13 .my question is the long term effects of being on say 13mg. My work is outdoors so i get plenty of sunlight and have a calcium rich diet. Obviously i would continue to try and reduce . i welcome any advice
I was on well above 10mg for most of the first 4 years of being on pred for my PMR (I'd had 5 years without pred before that). I know several people who need that sort of amount to manage their symptoms. It is likely that anyone who has to work and do anything fairly physically demanding will need more pred than the person who sits at a desk and - like me - refuses to do any heavy work in the house. I've just been on above 10mg since February because of a flare - I have no side effects, over a period of 4 years my bone density has fallen marginally but is still in an acceptable range.
It's impossible to say how long term pred at that level will affect someone, we are all so different. Have you had a dexascan for bone density? Are you on any medication besides pred? Have you had your vit D level checked? My husband has just been found to be desperately deficient - despite spending plenty of time outside at midday without sunscreen - and we live in northern Italy! My more than 7 years on pred have not seemed to cause me many problems - bone density and blood sugar have been fine, cholesterol is a bit high but I don't take a statin, I gained weight but have lost it all again. I have no raised eye pressures, no sign of cataracts. Others have all those after a much shorter time. It is a question of wait and see I think.
It is perhaps less what damage it may do as what your doctor is prepared to accept - they are so terrified of long term pred! Many will try to rush patients off despite a return of symptoms or the practicalities of having to work. They may suggest trying methotrexate, many believe it helps manage on a lower dose of pred and it appears to do so for some.
What does YOUR doctor say? In my opinion, April to November, 7+ months is till early days - but that's from personal experience.
Until the inflammation is under control you will just have to take whatever dose you need to stay comfortable. For you, that sounds like it's 15mg.
Having GCA there are 3 years I listen to my body signs. Once a day I take some Tylenol.
We know we are all different - if I feel good I keep the same MGS of Prednisone. After months have past I go for a half of 1 MG.
Slowly and carefully....
Stay well!
Merry Christmas!
iellen
Merry Christmas!
Please disregard the repetition of good wishes. Thank you.
thanks for your reply the only other meds i am on is candesartan for blood pressure. i had a dexascan and my bone densidy was ok i havent had a vit d level check but will ask for one.the ony supplement i take is a salgar multivit tablet.and make sure i have a balanced diet i also treat myself to a glass of red wine!.as you said i suspect the rumy may want me to try methorexate but i dont know at the moment if that is the best way foward i woud rather stay on 15 mg pred and try again the dsm as you said ive only been on preds for about 8 mths.