After years of increasing and widespread pain, upper body as well as lower extremities , was finally diagnosed: 1st, Fibromyalgia, lately, polymyalgia reumatica. For two years, i've been getting steroid injections in my hips (bursa) which would pretty much eliminate the shooting pain from hips running down both legs. Only problem, the relief lasted for one month, and they won't give you another injection for 3 months. So, for the remaining 2 months, I was back to using handicap carts in stores, barely making it up stairs unassisted, not taking walks or sleeping, etc. Having never taken any prescription drugs in my life up to this point, a month ago, my doc started me on 40mg of prednisone taken in the morning with food and combined it with 75mg of Lyrica at bedtime. Wow! For the 1st 3 weeks, I was sure I'd died and gone to heaven. I could do everything, 80 to 90% pain free. Actually sleeping all night, walking my dog, yardwork, all of it! I am having some minor side effects, slight dizzyness, a bit of blurred vision at times, and feeling more "caffinated" shortly after taking my prednisone in the morning after my 1 cup of coffee. Tradeoff, right?
His instructions were (are) to decrease the prednisone every 10 days. I am now at 20mgs of prednisone. The pain is returning, am now limping around again, and yesterday used a cart in Costco.
I'm aware steroids are not good for us. Have any of you taken prednisone for long term and suffered for it? Or, been fine with it? Or used this combo? I read one time that this combo worked for someone on here. I will speak to my doc next week before I run out of the meds and see what he will suggest. I am 75 years old, and have decided that quality of life (pain free mobility) is more important than a few side effects that hopefully won't ruin my otherwise good health.
Is 40 mg all that much? Is it the nature of these types of drugs to wear off after a period of time?
Any suggestions would be welcome.
His instructions were (are) to decrease the prednisone every 10 days. I am now at 20mgs of prednisone. The pain is returning, am now limping around again, and yesterday used a cart in Costco.
I'm aware steroids are not good for us. Have any of you taken prednisone for long term and suffered for it? Or, been fine with it? Or used this combo? I read one time that this combo worked for someone on here. I will speak to my doc next week before I run out of the meds and see what he will suggest. I am 75 years old, and have decided that quality of life (pain free mobility) is more important than a few side effects that hopefully won't ruin my otherwise good health.
Is 40 mg all that much? Is it the nature of these types of drugs to wear off after a period of time?
Any suggestions would be welcome.