Polymyalgia Rheumatica/Giant Cell Arteritis (PMR/GCA) Survey
Demographics	Effectiveness of Initial Prednisone Dose/Schedule
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started at 40mg - complete remission of symptoms. After 4 days dropped to 20mg - all symptoms cam back. Rang GP who said go straight back to 40mg for 5 days, and take the drop more slowly, ie to 35mg, then 30mg etc. Pain stayed away with this regime
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	first 48 hours saw a miraculous change. I was very down prior to treatment, not eating and feeliing depressed as prior to onset of symptoms had been very fit.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially I experienced complete relief after 48 hours of taking 15mg. This has not been maintained as I have been reducing the dosage. At present on 71/2mg I am usually painfree but my mobility is effected and I cannot walk freely or for any distance ( not helped by the weight increase).
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was started on 15mg AM with no results after 72 hrs...added 5mg pm and relief was almost immediate
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After the first dose which I took at 2:30 pm I was able to go up the stairs at bedtime with much more ease. Within 24 hours of the first dose I lost 2 pounds of extra fluid. Then I lost another 2 pounds in the next 24 hours. Then it was about 1 - 1.5 pound each day after that. By the end of the week I had lost all the fluid I was retaining (9 - 10 pounds). I was taking 20 mg prednisone per day - split 50/50 (breakfast and dinner times)
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	80% relief of symptoms but the residual symptoms of discomfort/stiffness in knees and ankles lasting around the clock.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have taken prednisone on & off for 4 yrs; had to come off prior to heart surgery; am nervous of sife effects of steroids but have reached stage now where I'll take them as they do improve my quality of life and at 73 yrs age, what do side effects matter? I am trying to cut down painkillers but am reasonably comfortable at present on 9mg pred, 2 painkillers and one 10mg amitriptyline at night. The latter help me to go back to sleep when I wake at night; sleep is much better when taking combination as listed.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	At first it was great, but soon the fatigue kicked in. I'm into my second year and taking about 7.5 mg/daily. This barely allows me to get through the day, but recently the panic attacks became so profound that I must reduce or eliminate Prednisone.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	75% overall relief with residual pain and stiffness that never goes completely away, but lessening later in the day
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After 5 days initial dosage down to 15mg - fine. 2weeks Down to 10mg - symptoms back Story of my life for 2 years Been down to 5mg with accompanying loss of red blood cells - back up to 17 1/2 down to 7mg - back up again. Doctor lets me dose myself - I try and reduce too quickly. Now have arthritis in one knee which aches more than PMR which is rather confusing as steroids cure this pain as well.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I felt better close to 10 days after starting Prednisone but never absolutely perfect.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Unanswered	I have never been free from pain or stiffness but it seems like curtain pulled over it so it is bearable or it was bearable
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have found that being on prednisone has caused more damage than the PMR. I was blaming the PMR for the pain, weakness in my legs getting worse. But now I am on a good reduction programme, I am feeling so much better and the pain and stiffness has reduced by 70% however I still have the weakness.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Just an amazing relief! Although I was left with some residual stiffness I weas able to continue my life almost normally - certainly able to walk and do some - but not strenuous excercise.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I started back in December 2007 on 10 mg of Pred - I am now on 7.5mg Pred. We dropped me to 5mg two months ago and I had to go back to 7.5 because of pain.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially the relief was amazing and I felt wonderful after all the pain and stiffness but gradually the pain returned but not as bad as without the prednisolone. My initial dose was by injection from the rheutamologist and then 10mg of soluble prednisolone at 5pm. Not sure why 5pm when most of other sufferers I know through the website take their dose in the morning. I have soluble pred as I have stomach problems. Problem is that they only come in 5mg tablets so make it very difficult when tapering your dose. I have a tablet cutter but as they are quite small they do not cut up cleanly and I have to try and patch up the bits to make a 2 and a half mg dosage.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I think you need to separate out question 16 between the morning and residual pain/stiffness, because the prednisolone can dramatically reduce or even eliminate the severe morning pain but not necessarily the pain/stiffness that never completely goes away. The severity of this can vary over the period of the day and night as well as from day to day.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Muscles of bowels and bladder weakened when steroid dose too low causing embarrassing incontinence on top of return of painful symptoms, fatigue, lack of appetite etc. Downright unwellness.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have tried split dosages but found that dosage schedule was less effective for pain relief & kept me awake at night.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Once the stiffness receded in the morning I am free of pain until I get tired. I am still learning to pace myself as when I do feel good I still tend to try to do as much as possible to keep on top of the daily routine jobs. I have to stop when I'm tired and I do recover after a rest.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I would say 70% improvement with initial dose, pain greatly decreased, but not completely gone. It was worst starting about 5 am. I increased to 20 mg/day and split the dose am & pm and that gave me real relief.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It actually took approximately 3 days before I had full movement of body without pain or stiffness
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I found that when I switched to taking prednisolone in the evening everything was 100% better, but when I told my Consultant he was very angry that I had switched times albeit for only a couple of weeks and told me that I must take the prednisolone immediately after breakfasr, which I now do.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Within three days there was no pain
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have had PMR for so long and have had so many different dosing schedules that it is hard to list them all. I have never taken more than 20 mg/day and currently am taking 6 mg alternating every other day with 5 mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	50% moderate residual pain/stiffness overall
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	no benefit for 2 weeks then gradual lessening of spasmodic acute pain. My pain / stiffness does not fit into the Morning part of your lists....more like 30% moderate residual pain lasting 24 hours. Still always there but bearable.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My initial dosage was 40 mg for 5 days, 30mg for 5 days, 20mg for 5 days, 10 mg for 5 days, 5 mg for 5 days, prescribed by my GP, and then nothing. All my symptoms were greatly reduced at first but started to return at 20mg and after a few days of no Prednisone he prescribed 5 mg a day followed shortly by 10mg. When I saw a rheumatologist two months later she raised my dosage to 12mg a day. I have been under her care ever since. I am struggling to reduce the Prednisone but it is very difficult because my symptoms are still very much present. I have learned to live with a lot of discomfort in order to keep the dosage down. Even so I have had significant bone loss.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Changed dosage to 40mg in the AM and 20 mg in the afternoon which resulted in almost total relief for 24 hours
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Never took Prednisone. NSAIDS stopped due to stomach upsets.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have Reynauds phenomena. After suffering what the joint pain Reynauds is what basically got me diagnosed. I am sure that my hands are in a book somewhere, because they took lots of pictures. My case was very rare. My hands turned purple and my fingers began to auto amputate. It eventually put me in the hospital and that is when I was diagnosed. I could not wait to take my next does of prednisone, I was in so much pain. I hate the drug, but have to have it.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After the first 2 months tapering from 30 - 10mg my ESR AND CRP levels went up and my GP referred me to a rheumatologist who took me off the steroids in order to do more tests. However tests were negative and ESR went up to 54 and CRP to 79 so he diagnosed probable PMR and I went back on to steroids starting at 15mg a day.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	This time have tried to reduce prednisone ,but had to go back up to 10mg
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	See box above.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I had an injection of Prednisone in Hosp ER on a Tues & started the 6 day packet the same day of pills. Next day was such a relief with what I say instant relief but I believe it took a total of 9-10 day when suddenly I announce that I was super woman. Never wanted to loose that feeling. Just felt like I did as a young newly wed as wanting everything to be spic & span clean like it used to be. Even washed a light bulb, then I knew I was loosing it. I did that before my first child was born in 1970 for lack of anything else left to clean. Now still feeling good, haven't been able to cut back on pred as Dr is on vacation. Might be able to do so this week but looking at being out of town for a couple of wks so he may not want to do that now
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	PMR initially presented as sever pain in both upper arms. It then moved to legs. prednisone produced immediate relief of most of the symtoms. Over the last 6 months my doseage has been increased, first to 20mg/day and then to 30my/day taken as 3x10mg
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It worked for me from the get-go. I was told to the prednisone early AM, before 9am, as you natural homones set in then. I set my alarm for 7:15AM eat a bannanna, for 2 reasons: 1. it has potassaum 2. Prednisone should be taken with food then taken the pred. with a glass of H2o and sometimes gone back to sleep!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Prior to being given the prednisone, I had difficulty using amy arms and legs. Sometimes, i could hold my toothbrush in my hand. Within 1 hour of taking my first dosage, i could walk and get out of a chair on my own.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The dose was 15mg and there was still some pain, no doubt with a larger dose it would have taken it away completely. It has gotten better with prednisone..but it is still painful.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially, I took the prescribed dose of Prednisone in the morning with my meal. After about 3 hours, the pain would subside, only to return in the evening. I asked the doctor if I could split the dose, half in the morning, half in the evening - that provided relief for the whole 24 hour period. I saw a rheumatologist 5 months after being diagnosed by my family doctor and he agreed with me. I did experience many side effects because of splitting the dose. They are subsiding slightly because of the reduction of the prednisone. I reduce every 3 months and gradually, i.e. old dose on one day, new dose on the second day and continue until my body can accept the new dose completely.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Within a few hours of taking initial dose of Prednisone 10 mg., all symptoms were gone! I felt 16 again but this feeling was short lived. Pain in both hips began slowly coming back within a few weeks.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	At first great relief after two days but as i reduced ifelt a little more pain, now after nine months i am reducing at the rate of one mg per month .I will be down to one mg per day on first of August, but am having more bad days.The pain can be relived to an aceptable leval by 400mg of Iboprofen but i can find nothing to help with the fatigue, so i just have to lie down and coast through till i feel better.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	was SO wonderful after years of pain RELIEF WAS MAGICAL!!!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After commencing on 15mg prednisone and not acheiving full effectiveness - rheumatologist increased dose to 20mg which gave much more improvement
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Prednisone was effective but the dose was sucl that side effects would have been a concern- the rheumatologist feels that Methotrixate ata low dose is better in the long run.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	headaches diapeared whilst taking prednisone, do not take prednisone anymore put so much weight on wanted to get off them as quickly as possible, also had ileostomy due to crohns disease whilst seeing specialist for stroke, headaches have now retuned with a vengence.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The above was prescribed for PMR which was diagnosed in July '06. For treatment of GCA, diagnosed January '08 initially 80mg prednisolone daily in the morning, reduced to 60mg over first month then stepped down to current dosage of 15mg which will be reviewed at next appointment 22/08/08
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 80 or over Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	in 2.5 years I have never been apin free and wonder if the steroids are working
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The Prednisone gave me relief after 2 to 3 days.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Full relief but unable to exercise without getting tired quickly-eg can play/walk full round of golf, but v. tired after.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Prednisone controls the fever and the anemia, and most of the aches, at 10 mg per day. Currently on 5 mg per day, and have considerable stiffness after inactivity, and take Ibuprophen and acetaminophen multiple times daily.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Could not tolerate 15 mg--too dizzy, could tolerate only 7.5 mg, which provides about 40% relief
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	given the side affects of steriods I opted not to take them. I was only on steriods for a week for the purpose of diagnosing my illness.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Much obvious improvement at 24 hours but completely painfree at 48 hours Due to blood sugar found to be considerably raised, doctor advised coming off the steroids asap, so off completely by 10days. Since then, no relapse of any pains!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	My GP prescribed 20mg with no effect then 30mg with a lessening of the stiffness. My specialist in hospital then gave me 40mg because I was diagnosed with GCA and the stiffness went away in my legs after about a week and the temple pain also gradually went too.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The pred helped with the pain, but I was sweaty all the time. I would have to change clothes a few times a day. That is when I decided I had to do somehting different and went on the anti inflamatory diet. not sugar diet. I could tell in 3 days I was better and could get off the pred. I went on pred in April 07 and went off in Oct of 07 with my diet. I still suffer chronic pain from my accident. My sed rate is still a little high along with my C Pro test, but I am working on staying stress free to bring it down.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	No effect and huge increase of weight. medication was stopped.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	initial dose of 10mg only partially relieved symptoms. After approx 3 weeks reported to GP who raised dose to 15 mg when symptoms decreased to 90%
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	50%mg prednisolone daily for 7 days reduced to 15 mg for 3 days. 90%relief until dosage reduced further
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	pred very effective after 3 days. I have been taking predisolone continually for more than 11 years reducing doses and raising doses when another serious problem occured. The consultant is anxious to wean me off them totally taking just m.g. now
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Pain relief seems to be going according to the schedule mapped out by my Rheumatologist at Addenbrookes.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	second time on prednisone it did not relieve symptoms as quickly but did eventually work, but third time it took even longer and did not completely relieve symptoms.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Initially treated for headaches and depression lasting approximately 6 months. Finally diagnosed June 2005, started steroids then. Previously very active.
Gender = Unanswered Age When Symptoms Started = Unanswered Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Prednisolone proved very little hlep but Rheumatologist insisited I continued with tem. More help from co-codamlo (maximum dose while reducing prednisolone over three yearsn. Now taking 2.5mg per day and unable to reduce further as feel very unwell on 1mg which are uncoated.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially Tylenol, Ibuprofen,Indomethacin, Naprosen, had no effect. 20mg daily of Prednesone had immediate pain relief. After a month I split the dosage half in the AM (5am) and the other half in the PM (5pm).
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	i found the initial dose worked really well , the dose was reduced to 101/2mg,over the next 6months the pain returned after 3weeks and the dose was then increased over a period of time to 20mg. i have reduced dose on 4th sept. to 171/2mg. it freed me from the pain at first but the pain seems to be on it`s way back,have to see where i go from here. i was first diagnosed in jan 14th i have had pmr for 8 mths.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	after 9 months pain/stiffness slightly improved but ESR not dropping much after 1st significant drop- after which methotrexate and folic acid wkly added but after intital slight drop starts creeping up 1 point each fortnight - after 1 yr ESr still 46
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have never lost the morning pain & stiffness but has not been so severe 80% Months 11 and 12 of illness only time no symptoms
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	High fewer (39 C) for 3 weeks in Jan/Feb 07 normalized within36 hours with Prednisone 50 mg. PMR + AT symptoms consisted for many months, - suppliment: Metrotrexat 20 mg in Sep 07. Symptoms persisted an worsened when I reached 12,5 mg Prednisone. Therefore started 30 mg Metetrexat in June 07, up to 100 mg since March 08 . Effect since July 08. Now + Prednisone 10 mg. Beginning at times to feel my old self. But still thigh muscle symptoms, - perhaps due to severe rheumatisme in lower back.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	WAS ON CORTICOSTERIDS FOR 5 YEARS. WORKING AS A MIDWIFE MOVING X X . TRIED TO REDUCE X 3 TIMES. NOT POSSIBLE TO WORK AS EFFECTIVELY.LOWDOSE 5MG + PAINKILLERS
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Unanswered Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	high and low dosage to suit this PMR, GCA in its very destructive path of 3 years
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	teh 45 mg of CALCORT relieved the intense pain and paralysis but my back has hurt badly for the 12 yrs, also legs and hips, shoulders I have developed rheumatoid arthritis
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	some pain in the morning,s never seems to go away completely
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The lower the dose the worse the symptoms but not as bad as when first started with no medication.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	COULD LIFT ARMS AFTER 24HOURS. OTHER (LARGE) MUSCLES STILL ACHE. SYMPTOMS RETURN WHEN I REDUCE THE DOSE (NOW LESS SEVERE) AND DISAPPEAR WITHIN APPRX 4/52
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	very little pain felt after initial few days on prednisolone
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Amazing relief, gave me back life and energy I thought I'd lost. Good doctor support - he had experience of PMR and moved on quickly with treatment and support.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Only stayed on Pred for 10days as a trial
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After 24 Hours had 75% relief. After 48 Hours had 85% relief. After 1 Week had 90% relief. After 2 weeks had just about total relief.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I initially had PMR 6 years ago and this lasted just over 2 years then I had about 3 years free of it now it is back and i started on steroids 8th Oct and again on 20 mg reduced to 15 mg aftera month
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Unanswered	unable to tolerate prednisone, Took it for 2 months. I am not presently taking anything
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I did not have relief of symptoms at least 3-4 days after taking the initial dose of Prednisone 15mg. At that dosage after 4 days, I had relief and felt great for months.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took me a long time to be able to see an actual rheumatoloist. I had to wait three months and my internist was not that sharp about treating it. He would stop the cortisone etc.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I've been on them less than 2 wks. Immediate improvement was not 'spectacular' as I kept hearing. But now they've kicked in a bit more. But the pain sort of washes over me at times. I can feel the muscles burning deep inside, particularly in my ribcage. I'm low tho, and think I'm dwelling on the pain rather than the general improvement.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	my first meeting with the rheumatologist, I had to be taken in a wheelchair.when i had my first injection,it was shere relief within 24 hours
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	On commencing Prednisone I soon became very anxious, depressed,and felt my whole body was 'racing' I only managed 3 hours of sleep per night ( no day time naps) after a few weeks I was not funcioning couldn't sleep, eat, shop, cook or make any day to day descisions. i had suicidal thoughts. however after approx 14 weeks I started to feel better. I am now taking 15mg er day and i feel as i did before commencing treatment.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Initial dosage of prednisolone was 60mg twice in first day which made very quick relief of main symptoms, as I was almost paralysed when admitted to hospital, and was within hours of dying.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on 15 mg...but never really felt complete relief. After 3 months reduced to 10mg for about a month gradually reducing by 1mg to 7mgs. Had to go back to 15mgs after flare up. Now reducing again.. hoping this time will be for longer.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on 15mg, gradually reduced down to 6mg., but then have to increase back to 10mg because of worstening symtoms. I am not due to see my Consultant until March 2009 At present I cannot see me reducing the doseage below 6mg in the forseeable future.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Only took Prednisone for a few weeks due to concerns regarding long-term side effects. Still seeking alternative treatment.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I live in France and the dosage starts at 30mg. It had no effect for the first 2 weeks and I the pain and stiffness still persist although at a lower level. I have weakness in my thigh muscles immediately after taking the Prednisone and similar symptoms to hypoglycaemia (although I am on a low GI diet). This wears off my midday when I am able to move easily.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	prior to the medication I could hardly rise from the chair, turn over in bed and did not want to eat (most unusual for me) Within approx 3 days of taking the medication I found that the activities were much better, however when the medication was wearing off the feeling came back in a reduced disability.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	My pain starts within 5 mins of getting up and does not decrease or stop at all unless I use my T.E.N.S. machine or take painkillers, I cannot walk/stand for more than a few minutes without intense pain and have to sit or lie down almost all the time. I have noticed no difference whatsoever with the steroids in fact I would say it has gone progressively worse over the months not better in any way.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	It was just amazing. The doctor told me to take 15mg and said that if it was PMR I would start to feel better within 2 days. He told me to go home and take them straightaway. As soon as I woke the next morning, as I turned over I realised that I wasn't in pain. It was like a miracle!!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I had high blood pressure within a week of starting on the prednisone and so I had to stop taking it quickly (tapered to zero over 3 days). Until it got out of my system I had migraines, severe constipation and irregular menses. Prednisone is not a treatment option for me. I take a lot of fish oil instead.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on Prednisone 20mg.. Complete relief of symptoms. Felt pretty good on 10mg with an occasional Naproxen in between or Celebrex. Now that I am on 7.5mg daily I am hurting more but still not as bad as initial pain before being diagnosed.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	First 24 hours I got relief. Pain all over y boyd but at last I could sleep all night. Could only sleep with catnaps during day, before pred.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Was initially on 20mg of prednisone but it took about 4 days for the pain to subside.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Although I was left with a little pain and stiffness on getting up in the mornings, it felt like a miracle - for the first time in months I felt so well and able to cope.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Couple of 'breakthrough' episodes so put up to 20mg per day.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	almost felt guilty because the relief was so positive. The relief made me realise how bad I had been feeling. I have been taking prednisolone for so long that I cant remember the monthly dosage reduction. I was on a very low dose for nearly 6 years and came off .Six months later I went back on a high dose and reduced it every few months . I am now on 1mg but suffering again but do not want to raise the dose.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	intense pain subsided within 48 hrs, but then a lesser pain comes and goes, if i am busy then the pain can worsen, and i then stop activity for awhile.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Only started medication 4 days ago - initial response was fantastic - now not bad on waking but can be painful/stiff in morning gradually getting better
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Relief was very quick but severe pain continued, worse in AM, getting somewhat better throughout day, then severe again beginning around 6 PM
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The initial dose of 20 mg. Prednisone took several days to bring to the feeling that I was almost back to normal. Perhaps because the sed rate was so high? I still have times of stiffness, in my back and neck, and knees, but it doesn;t usually last very long.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	95%
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have never suffered pain and stiffness but presented with symptoms of extreme fatigue only; steroid treatment did not bring any relief but only added to problems with its own side effects.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	My family physician diagnosed me with TA and PMR. His dosing schedule: Start with 60mg prednisone for three days, and thereafter reducing by 5 mg for three days each. If my symptoms reoccured he wanted me to bump the prednisone up by 5 mg for a duration of 3 to 5 days, then start reducing by 5mg again. This was not successful and made my symptoms worse. After three weeks I saw a neurologist who started me on the normal prescribed course of treatment (60 mg for two weeks, thereafter reducing by 5 mg for two weeks each). A rheumatologist is now over-seeing my treatment.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I had an unbearable headache and tried 2 lower doses with the same effect. I have not taken steroids since. I take nsaid (clelbrex). It does not eliminate the pain but makes it tollerable.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The initial dose of 15mg gave me immediate 95% relief from the pain and stiffness. I went down to 12.5 mg after 2 weeks and the effectiveness was about 85-90%. After another 3 weeks I reduced the dosage again to 10 mg and I do have more pain, about 65-70% of what it was; somedays it is only very slight for a couple of hours in the morning, other times it can hang around all day, with varying degrees of severity. Evenings are invariably pain-free, and the stiffness has gone completely. Fatigue is the worst thing to deal with. Above 10 mg Prednisone the side effects are much worse for me, so I'm happy to put up with some pain! Following the advice of my rheumatologist I shall continue taking 10mg for 4 weeks, the gradually reduce the dose by 1mg each month till I get down to 5mg and then I have a follow up appointment
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was initially prescribed Prednisone of 10mg which was of great relief whithin a few days but then I had to return to my doctor in France who advised me that the French wouldn't have treated my symptoms like this, but thankfully didn't offer an alternative and went along with the treatment. However, he did see me wince as I was trying to take off my jacket and upped the daily dosage to 12.5mg which I took for several weeks and then following another blood test where it was evident that the inflammation was subsiding, it was reduced to 10mg again.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Complete freedom from stiffness, but for most of the day, an uncomfortable, rather than painful, tingling/spasming type feeling between shoulder blades and in neck and upper arms, accompanied by occasional involuntary 'twirching' of these muscles. These symptoms are largely relieved during exercise but recur on stopping, and are also relieved by lying down. These symptoms compare with those I felt at the gradual onset of the condition several months before diagnosis and before the severe morning/resting pain and stiffness set in.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Later took all steroids am
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I felt like superwoman. The week before I was going to cancel my skiing holiday because I never would have managed it. Euphoria is the word
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	relief in shoulder pain and stiffness almost within days,only just been diagnosed
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Lower back, hip, and shoulder pain were reduced substantially. Other symptoms continued. I'm not able to provide the dosage imformation...have been taking Prednisone for nearly three years. I believe that at about the fourth month, I stepped down to 50 mg per day, and then down one mg each 6 weeks. I'm now taking 10 mg per day, but several times during the past two-and-a-half years have had to increase the dosage to 30, and come down gradually from that.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Only 7 days in on 20mg Prednisolone, symptoms improved 75% after 48hours. 7th day - most of symptoms gone.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My initial dosage was 30mg reducing very quickly down to 15mg. Once I got below 15mg it became more difficult to reduce the dosage. Over the past two years I have had to increase and decrease my dosage in line with the symptoms of the disease.I got as low as 2.5 mg but then have had a relapse. I have just recently been on 30Mg as my ESR was a 120 and my CRP was also very high although I can' remember what it was. Consequently I can't fill in the table below as the dosage has changed so much over the last 2 years.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Even after one tablet in the evening I was able to walk upstairs with hardly any effort. Within a week all pain had gone - the last bit to disappear was in the middle two fingers on each hand. I used to take one tablet four times a day with food.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage was 30mg (mid-morning), which gave total relief that day. Went to 20mg the next day (noon), which seems to wear off after about 17 hours, so I wake in pain, and deal with it until mid-afternoon. I will probably switch to taking earlier in the day, and ask about multiple partial doses.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It was a miracle.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I only have GCA but Prednisolone made symptoms 100% worse. I can't fill in 17 as the Predesolone was reduced within 2 weeks to 30mg and then up and down constantly but never below 15 1/2mg.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	on occasion i would have an injection on my shoulders, and other times i would have it in my buttocks
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	For weeks at a time my shoulder, or knee, or neck, or hip will be painful/stiff all day. The pain is usually mainly in one area at a time, then everything might be not too bad for a week or two. When the pain returns it is usually in a different area of the body. I have had PMR for nearly 7 years now and I am never completely free of pain. I am down to 4 mg of Prednisone a day. I have been very healthy all my life (63 years) and am healthy other than PMR.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was taken off the Prednisone by the Renal Unit, and there was a return of symptoms. I was off the steroids from October 08 to March 09. After being started on 15 mg daily, my dosage is now down to 9 mg. Unfortunately the 1 mg doesn't come in enteric coated and so I am taking 10 mg one day and 7.5 mg the next day.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Whilst my muscle pain is much reduced, both of my hands, have lost all their strength, unable at time to even lift a cup of tea.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	the first time I took a higher dose of prednisone, I was able to get up from bed the ff day right away ,after 7 and a half weeks of not being able to do so.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Almost total relief of symptons when on 20 mg steroid
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	At 30mg I had immediate relief of approx 80% but had to reduce quickly to 25mg and then 20mg due to palpitations and anxiety problems. Symptons worse at 20mg but waiting for review of dosage.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It was like a miracle. The pain and stiffness melted away in the first day. I was a little too hyperactive and a few other side effects but generally hadn't felt so good in a long time.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dose very effective. Reduced too quickly (3 months down to 5mg) and had to return to 20mg, not so effective this time.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have had better results with the pm dosage i am currently taking, helps with morning stiffnes. Pain, soreness, stiffness does come in evening hours but take meds and go to bed, better in morning.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After 2 days symptoms in lower back and neck eased tremendously - but as I have lowered the dosage ther is still stiffness in my neck and shoulders . The doctor said I would be on 10 for a long time - but I want to try to get to a lower dosage as I don't want to put any more weight on - I have put on half a stone - I am only 4'11". But I think I may have reduced too quickly as basically left to my own devices.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took a week before pain had subsided
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Unanswered	I had pain for that long it was difficult to assess the amount of pain I was in.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was initally told to take 30 mg for 1 week then start to taper by 5mg - I am now down to 10 mg but still have stiffness in my shoulders and neck and I'm not sure what to do - whether to up the dose or come down as I don't want to be on steroids too long.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I am being treated by injection as I was intolerant to pills and suffered bad side effects
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After 24 hrs I felt about 30% better; after 48 hours about 50 -60% better. After 1 week, 80 - 90% better. The morning is still the worst time of the day lasting 2 or 3 hours (prednisone takes effect). Just walked a mile on my treadmill yesterday and have some hip pain today. I hadn't walked in several weeks.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Initial treatment was like a miracle. left with no PMR symptoms but still had morning stiffness which was common as I have RA.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Was prescribed 40mg to start reducing 5mg after each 10 day period but having had problems with Prednisolone and MS I eventually agreed 20mg per day and reducing by 10 days'.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	First two weeks, completely free of pain but not so effective at the moment (dosage has been reduced over the months from 15 mg/day to 8mg/day). Was increased to 20 mg for 5 days when the head and eye pains became much worse. This did help.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I had hoped it would allow me to stand and walk safely and not keep keeling but this has not happened yet after 9 days on 20 mg a day
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The high dose seemed to improve joint pain and reduce swelling in leg. Initially it reduced water retention.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dose was 12.5 mg prednisone for two days, then dropping to 10 mg per day. I was supposed to be on 10mg for a week before dropping to 7.5 mg, but I had an episode where I passed out from dehydration (and I do drink lots of water) so my doctor had me drop to 7.5 when that happened--it was after about 3 days on 10 mg. On the 10 mg dose, I would say I experienced 80% relief, but the prednisone made me feel so listless, I was spending hours in bed sleeping. In fact, two hours after waking, I would have to go back to bed. It was so ironic....my body was finally relieved of the pain and stiffness,so I could finally walk easily, etc, but I felt too crummy to do any activities! tapering schedule has been more by the week than by the month, which I tried to indicate below.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	at first I didn't ache as much but it was like that for 24/7...it didn't gradually get better during the day.....seemed to be a constant but alot less pain
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Within 24 hours of 30mg per day some improvement and after two weeks a big improvement but scalp still tender so increased dose to 60mg
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My Dr.is young and feels she knows better than the patient, so I have to state my case. Iam going with the flow but feel she is dropping my dosage too quickly. Will listen to my body. Concerned because there is Glaucoma in the family and I do have annual pressure tests. Headaches have become more prominent.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	after the low dose prednison which i refused to take higher ,i felt i can move better despite the pain in my neck and shoulders ,and the moderate stiffness compared to the severe one before the therapy ,because i have private job ,and i cannot stop it in one day
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My first dose brought relief within a few hours
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Initially I started with a 60 mg. dosage of Prednisone. Within 2 weeks I was down to 40 mg. and eventually went to 20 mg. I was then tapered by 1 mg. increments. It took about 1 year to be down to my current dosage of 3 mg. I have had to go up in dosage several times, as high as 10 mg. I have tried 2 mg. with poor results. Extreme body aches, headache and irritibility. I would like to be off the prednisone by the end of the summer if possible.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I began with an injection of unknown dosage, the effectiveness of which lasted until I saw the rheumatologist, who put me on 40 mg/day for 4 weeks. See below for next 3 months, and then please notice that in Month 5, everything changed. From the beginning through 10 mg, I was totally pain-free. However, one week after being tapered to 7.5 mg, the symptoms returned. Therefore, my dosage was increased and then decreased again gradually: 10 mg for one week; 20 mg for one week; 15 mg for 2-1/2 weeks until next visit with rheumatologist.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After 6 days I was 75 per cent better., now its about 90.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Q16 makes no sense to me. After taking 20mg of Prednisone the first day, I felt 30 to 40% better. After 2 days, 50% better. After 1 week (and still on 20mg) maybe 80% better. And after 2 weeks, I felt 98% better. Hope this helps...
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	all pain went in 3 days
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	dispite improving mobility, my scalp remained tender and my jaw ached. I also felt fuzzy headed and clumsy
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	got worse for 24 hrs before gradually worked
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My dosage has primarily been under 10 mg with varying attempts to taper over a period of six years. I am now under care of new doctor who increased dosage to 20 mg for one month and is monitoring blood every 2 weeks.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The prednisolone at 15mg was very effective at controlling PMR symptoms but the Temporal arteritis had not been diagnosed at first visit to rheumatologist. as I had no typical symptoms and it was too late to do a biopsy as I had already been on prednisolone for 5 weeks. In fact I was referred to an opthalmologist regarding eyesight problems which were thought possibly to be due to other causes since I had no other typical symptoms of temporal arteritis. On tapering to 12.5 mg I developed persistent (but not serious) headache and Rheumatologist did a clinical trial of 45mg for 5 days, but headache did not improve so she decided it was probably not temporal arteritis as it had not responded to the prednisolone. So she then put me back on 15mg/day. All this happened in month 2. Later - opthalmologist did other tests and I had a CT scan of brain, but no problems found so it was decided I must have had fairly symptomless temporal arteritis - possibly started prior to PMR as eyesight problems preceded this.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Am not taking prednisone
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I was on large doses of intravenous steroids at first, before the 60mg dose for GCA.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was already on 7mgs for addisons disease, which we had upped to 10 mgs at rheumatology for pain and stiffness, upping this to 30mgs helped quite a bit
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Complete relief and renewed energy following initial dosage - however symptoms started to recur after the dosage started to taper off
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The initial dose was miraculous in that I was able to walk easily and move my arms after only about two or three hours. I am now on 20 mg of prednisone daily and always have some degree of shoulder and hip discomfort that lasts until the afternoon.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I was rather slow to respond to prednisolone. It was a week before I began to very slowly improve.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have picked the closest answer here sinceI have never been at my worst in the morning. In general pain and stiffness worsens as the day progresses and is worst , particularly in my thighs, after prolonged sitting such as reading or watching TV in the evening. Increased inflammation , confirmed by blood tests, usually shows up with pain that does not ease when lying in bed and is enough to keep me awake at night.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	always,felt well and no pain on 10mg,have found reduction very differcult as every time reduced inflamation came back and had to increase prednisalone again ,still on 8mg after 2years
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Was prescribed 15mg initially and was miraculous! Within three days completely symptom free and felt wonderful. Have just had my first decrease to 10mg which was far to much as re-occurence of pain and symptoms within two days...... doctor upped me to 13 mg but still having some problems in my left hip and right upper arm and neck.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on 30mg Prednisolone and within 24 hours "severe" pain and stiffness that I had experienced for ten days prior to GP blood test and the diagnosis were completely gone.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	within 24hrs i felt like i was 20yrs old again and slept like a baby ! but the energy levels tailed off after a week or so
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After taking 50mg of prednisolone my symptoms went almost after the first day. By the third day I felt so well that I phoned the pharmacist up to ask her if there was anything in the Pred to make me feel so well. After the dosage shedule below[17] by the time I was on day 5 of 10mg my symptoms had definately returned although minimal. [ I asked my GP if I should increase my dosage.] Now [26.1.11] and day 21 of 10mg my symptoms are gradually worsening but my GP wants me to stay on 10mg till I see her on 7.2.11. Symptoms started approx 21.9.10.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Had to increase to 20 mgs
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I discovered that it was more effective to take my dosage by splitting it am and pm; especially if i could take most of it during the middle of the night. I started keeping my tablets by my bedside with a glass of water & taking if I woke up. My doctor told me it shouldn't matter but it did.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	As stated above the initial dose of 15mg had no effect but after the confirmation of PMR by the rheumatologist the dose of 30mg gave the result noted in questions 14, 15, and 16.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	When taking an effective dose, I do not really have a.m. pain or stiffness, but am not at 100% level of function. It has taken weeks to improve my range of motion (arms and shoulders) by pushing it daily with activities like reach higher overhead and doing more work, e.g. loading/unloading dishwasher, vacuuming, doing laundry, etc. I sometimes feel a little sore after some extended work, but it feels normal and not like PMR inflammation.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Felt 'like a new woman' - loads of energy, reasonable movement, well in slef.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Worked great. Pmr would flare up at ~ 2mg ould have to increase. At last try I was down to 2mg one day and 1.5 alternating with no sign of flare up. Maybe I bragged to much. The next day I was on 60mg of prednisone for the big one GCA Below is my schedule for the GCA
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The steroid, apart from making me thirsty had no bad side effects but I suffered memory loss, confusion and hallucinations after a while. This appeared to be the side effect of taking "Vesciare" for irritable bladder syndrome as well as the steroid. I had to come off the Vesicare, which was a great help to me and I have had so much more bladder pain since.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	did not respond as doctor expected, blood improved so steroid was reduced.I am in still in a lot of pain not as much from my head just my body I am now on 1mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Still on 40 mg - 10 days post diagnosis. All headache, fever etc gone, but still got slight neck pain/stiffness.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I felt like nothing could stop me on 15-20mgs a day,... but I know that it wasnt reality...I would happily stay on that if it wsnt for the side effects.. moonface and weight gain, (fluid retention not over eating)
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Medication caused severe anxiety and emotional distress
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Initial dosage for PMR (20mg) was very effective.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The initial dose meant that all major syptoms eased dramatically, I am still at the very beginning of treatment and hope that I will make further progress. I feel very week and wobbly during the mornings but improve as the day goes on.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Prednisolone + 25mg methotrexate/week from outset. Rheumotologist report February 2011 - "reasonably but not well controlled"
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Felt wonderful! Mostly because of total relief from the head pain.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It was as if a miracle feeling normal again. The symptoms went 48 hours after beginning treatment.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started pregnisone in the morning, but because it made me feel absolutely yucky, tapering off a little as the day went on. I switched to evening. So I could sleep through the worst of it.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Prednisolone:- 20mg for 3 weeks, then 15 for 3 weeks, then 12.5 for 3 weeks (currently on 12.5mg) followed by 10mg for 4 to 6 weeks
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Dose was reduced to 5mg over 10 months on the first round of treatment and I relapsed at this point - was taken off Pred 1mg per month over 4 months as diagnosis in doubt. Relapsed completely. Unable to sleep for pain. On restart 80% better.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 80 or over Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	My sight was saved and double vision stopped 12 hours after first dose of 60mg Prednisone. Jaw claudication and facial pain stopped after a week.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	It took approx 2 weeks for the steroids to have any noticeable effect during which time I was vitually bedbound. I am already disabled and was waiting for a R knee replacement so am very used to pain and the effort required to get up and get going in the morning but with the virtual loss of use of my arms and shoulders it was a very frightening and humiliating time. I do seem to have a different metabolism to most people in that it takes longer than my GP expexcts for pills to have an effect and enough pain killers to knock out an elephant to bring my pain under control. I was diagnosed with GCA 4 months after the PMR in 2009 and put on 60 mg of Prednisalone as of now in 2011 I'm back on 60 mg because of another flare of GCA. In answer to your question below all my flare ups have been both GCA and PMR.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Inceased to 60mg which totally relieved symptoms other than slight pain still in left hip.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	if down from 20 to 9 in 6 months....still very stiff but deal with it....i was completley immobile at the beginning of diagnosis...so i deal with the stiffness...worst in am, but still have it at nite...rhemy suggestged to split dose now, but i chose not too....i understand its better to take it all in am
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The stiffness in perhaps more noticeable in the morning but is there most of the day - gets better with movement and then worse if not moving. Currently just slight tenderness one shoulder and back of neck and the strange headachey symptoms
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The 'muscle' pain was initially gone within a few hours. The bursitis continued a few days longer. I now have less serious muscle pain & extreme tiredness if I 'over due' it (even though this is a fraction of what I could do before)
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Given high doses of Prenisone (60 mg for 5 days, then 40 mg daily) by PCP before seeing rheumy a couple of weeks later.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	When I was finally diagnosed with PMR my GP prescribed 20mg of Prednisolone. I took the dose, lay down and had a sleep for about 3 hours. When I awoke the pain was almost gone. I could bend my knees. It was like a magic bullet!!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Efffectiveness 100% on 15 mg daily but BP elevated v. high- nervous jumpy and severe insomnia forced me to reduce the dose. Am now on 6mg with some symptoms which lessen during day- cannot reduce further.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	symptoms returned if dosage reduced too quickly, had to increase and then reduce again slowly, sticking with low dose to avoid symtoms oflong term usage and accepting the pain and discomfort
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The 80mg Prednisolone masked all my other osteoarthritis pain as well as helping the 7 week cold and temple/face pain. The continuing weaning off was catastrophic especially when I was instructed to yo yo between 60mg and 40mg three times in as many weeks. Once down to 10mg I weaned about 1mg per month to get off the steroids as fast as I could (sometimes I reduced by 1mg every 20 days).
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Unanswered Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have not taken prednosone.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have weaned to zero twice and pain and immobility returned
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The initial dose worked overnight. Whereas difficult to walk more than 100 yards, next morning felt almost back to normal...miracle !
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	See box above
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started out at 20 mg, then 25 for a week, then 100 mg for three days due to headache and boutredning vision, then 60 for a week, 40 for a day, then 30 for a week, then 25 for a week, and now 20.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	took 10 mg in am and 10 at dinner woke pain free the next day
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I am not taking corticosteroids. I am taking NSAIDs and low dose naltrexone and herbal formulas.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially, when they thought I had sciatica, I had a 5 day tapered dose pack of prednisone, and probably 50% of my symptoms went away with that.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Minor pain but it never goes completely away.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	felt 80% better after first dose within 4 hours.... next day after second dose I was 100%
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Made life bearable.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The first day I took prednisone I woke up during the night and was walking without pain. However, the pain recurred slightly in the morning, and it was a little bit up and down. On the third day is when I got the best relief. Regarding #17, below, I am sorry about the blank spaces, but I didn't keep track for some months. There were so many ups and downs, owing to attempts at tapering, flaring and having to go back up in dosage.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	90% relief within 6 hours. Gradual lessening of relief over a few days, then 90% relief at all times.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took 4 days for the Prednisolone to 'kick in' and after that the pain improved gradually but after 3 weeks I had severe pain and swelling in the fingers of the left hand which lasted a few weeks.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have elected not to continue with prednisolne after initial dose, and instead following an anti-inflammatory diet with herbal and vitamin supplements
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I think my answer to question 16 says it all, I felt really good, full of energy and most of all pain free.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	This was only the initial response, once I began to reduce the dosage I began to experience moderate morning residual pain on a scale starting at 70% and decreasing as I reduced the dose. I think I began to accept that I needed to accept a level of pain with this illness.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The first morning after taking steroids I was alot better but it is rare to feel "normal" at least for me
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have only been on it a week but is working well
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	On 30mg of prednisolone the pain left my body completely 3 hours later.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I am suffering from severe steroid myopathy. I cannot raise my arms as they are so weak, likewise my legs which necessitates my using a support to walk. I am not safe to cook or makea hot drink. I need help to dress , bathe etc. I cannot fill in item 17 as I did not keep records. Only my medical records might show the progress. I had gastric problems with uncoated Prednisolone tablets. Trying 2.5mg on alternate days was unsuccessful. Eventually, using soluble Prednisolone made it possible to tailor the dose precisely and to reduce gradually by .5mg every 6 weeks.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Always felt really tired and head achy until about lunchtime 11am/12am then suddenly felt a spurt of engergy in the afternoons felt tired after 5pm but no other symptons
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	15 mg dose made my PMR symptoms go away immediately, but it wasn't a high enough dose to make the aching in my arms go away.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My doctor told me it would be like magic - the symptoms would disappear over night. Not in my case. Took about a week for me to really feel the effect, perhaps because I never had really bad pains, my main problems were the fever, the weakness and the loss of apetite.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Even with a high initial dose, I would wake at 3 AM in pain. I began splitting the dose 12 hours apart and found relief 24 hours.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Sickness after 2 days. Stomach protectors prescribed but only reqired for a week or so
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It was like a miracle, so effective!!!!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The pain was under fantastic control with 15 mg, from about the 3rd day after I took it to about 2 months. As the Pred was reduced gradually the pain i coming back and the CRP is going aback up and qute bad now.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	experienced profound fatigue, bruising, but weight was stable
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	5mgs each breakfast, lunch, dinner. 15mgs in all. Reduced to 10mgs after 2 weeks, but put up to 15mgs again after 2 weeks of serious stiffness and pain for 4 hours after rising.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	In regards to question #17, my pred tapering has been up and down so much in the past two years that I couldn't possibly provide you with accurate info. Started at 35mg and now I'm down to 7mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Within 8 hours of IV steroids and hospitalization I had 90 % relief
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The pain has almost completely disappeared after the second day of treatment. the stiffness is still present in both shoulders and hips after 2 weeks of treatment.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Took about a week before I really noticed some improvement in the total pain picture. Really no change for at least 3 or 4 days after starting Pednisone. 50% of pain gone after one week. Legs much better.....arms after a couple weeks seemed to stabilize at some 3 pain level. Arms are most concerning because it hurts, is debilitating, and just seems to be locked at the same level (which is a lot better than day one.....but still a long way to go)
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on 10mg for 6months and tapered down to 1mg then stopped. This was after two years. I was in remission for about another six months and symptoms stared to return. Was put back on 4mg and I am now on 2mg. hooping to stop again soon. Medication is causing hair loss.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After 7 doses, I have no pain or stiffness, but still have some reduced range of motion from lack of use. This improves daily.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My initial diagnosis was at the same time as a tooth abscess. I had a relapse in May - not severe but had to up my dose of Pred and this was also at the time of another too abscess. Both teeth were removed and dental problem solved.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was never told when to take the preds so worked out it was better to take 50% am and 50% pm.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My symptoms have always been worse at night. I have started on 10mg a day in the morning and after 3 days symptoms are reduced by 70% but shoulder and upper arm stiffness and pain does not disappear and gets worse at night, not getting better until a couple of hours after taking the dose in the morning. But this may improve the longer I take the drug.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have low pain in the mornings but gets worse as the day progresses and is sorest in the evenings in upper arms and neck.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Relief only began after 5 days on 20 mg prednisolone. At first it was very minor, lasting until early afternoon.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I felt very elated and had lost the depressive feelings that I had before.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	When on 5mg Prednisolone plus 50mg Diclofenac, I only have trouble with the right shoulder which is moderately painful in the morning and intermittently gives me minor pain during the day, depending on what i do. Movement seems to help, but too much exacerbates. Pain changes over time as well.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Increased to 30mgm after one week. Still having pain and stiffness during the night and for 2-3 hours in AM. Changed to Methylprednisolone 16mgm [ 8mgm in am and 8 in pm.... still no relief.] Now taking Methylprednisolons 24mgm [ 12 in am and 12 in pm]
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 80 or over Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have not taken steroids, and won't, unless I am diagnosed with GCA
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have dealt with chronic pain issues for decades. But have NEVER felt this kind of pain and discomfort in my 59 years. Initially, I was stunned how quickly the first dose amount of 60mg Prednisone relieved my pain 85-90%. I experienced obvious hyperactivity that I must admit I enjoyed, as I had not been this pain free in so long. 2 weeks into feeling better I had to remind myself to slow down! That my new found freedom from pain was actually the result of the high dosage of Prednisone. When my MD dropped the dosage to 20mg (5 weeks later) my pain stayed tolerable for 2 weeks, then increased to 70-80% discomfort. I started taking the 20mg in 2 doses (AM & PM) which helped within a week. My AM pain would last for a couple of hrs. but then became livable for the remainder of the day. By night, I was grateful for the second dose! It seems that with each taper the pain will show itself right after the taper but within a few days it seems to ease up. I am anxious to get to the lowest dose possible, but am cautious as to not taper too quickly as to end up in a relapse! Slow and steady is my motto! Period...
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Cortisone (prednisone) injection into buttock every 3 months
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial relief (1st day)60% each day improved to 70% by Morning 4. currently day 13 with 80%/90% effectiveness Can we expect 100% relief? during initial treatment. I have some minor aching/stiffness most of the time that increases in the morning.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	20mg reducing by 5mg every 3 days was too fast and I went back to being in pain. Saw a different doctor who is more 'clued' I am on 15mg for 2 weeks but so far, although I can get up and down stairs and walk ok, I am very achy. I see her again tomorrow for a follow up appointment.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	PMR diagnosed/medication started for only three weeks
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	As said above, on 50mg for 5 days, total remission, but pain back in 2 weeks. On 30mg, weaning back to 3.75 no pain over 7 months. In dropping to 2.5, pain has returned in right shoulder/upper arm.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Complete relief within one hour of taking 10 mg of prednisone! I am not sure how to fill in the chart below: my dosage has been as follows; 15 mg for one week 10 mg for 3 weeks 7.5 mg for 3 weeks *have been on 5 mg for one week...BUT feeling stiff this am...going back to 7.5 a day until I see my rheumatologist in two weeks! NOTE: nights sweats stopped after 2 weeks on 7.5 dose.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	pain and stiffness only remained in upper arms and shoulders
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	its started about 20 per cent but grew less effective so went on to injections.my body got used to those over a six month period then they had no effect.pain was chronic. had morphine patches and ibuprofen still was in great pain. Tried methetrexate for a bit improved slightly and rheumatism got much better.then started having allergic rash so stopped.now on low dose naltrexone 4 mils a day having to increase to another less amount so taking twice a day.not perfect but no side effects have cataracts from steroids and broken teeth.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The 50 % AM and 50 % PM worked very well for me...... I was prescribed to take 20 mg for ONE week and taper down to 15 mg. and then stay at 10 mg after a week for a long period of time. I think I will try tapering 2.5 mg weekly, and see how I am going to feel until I reach 10 mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	When I first took prednisolone medication I experienced much relief but the G.P. wanted to get me off the steroid and tapered my doses too quickly and when down to 5 mgms after 1 year all the symptoms came back and I was referred to a rheumatologist and had to start the whole process all over again. This time my symptoms have persisted and the steroids make it possible for me to move around but I am in constant discomfort especially the upper arms, neck and hips.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The initial dose relieved the sudden onset of hand/ wrist pain. Once I realized I had GCA I went up to 30mg and needed to take 10 mg 3x/d for any relief of all the other pain I'd been having.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Symptoms have never been resolved, but can dress and come down stairs without help now I'm on treatment. Need a stick for balance when out. Able to do limited housework. We take in Rescue Bunnies and am able to now do my share of their care, but that is all I can manage most days. There is only my husband and I and so are no longer able to take new bunnies.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	this only lasted one week
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Extreme fatigue continued for a few months.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage was 15 mg for 1 week and than 10 mg. It did not work for me. I had pain, swelling and inflammation in both hands, lower back pain and feeling sick. I went up to 10 mg at night and 10 mg in the morning which gave me 24 hour relief.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After three days on 15 mg Prednisolone (taken in one dose in the morning) I was waking up the next day with a recurrence of stiffness and pain. I contacted my GP who increased the dose to 20mg. This worked very well.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I am now tapering after a flare up last November. I began this time with 10 mg
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dose of 20mg was taken at 4:00pm and when I woke up at 2:00am I was able to get out of bed easily. I actually woke my husband to tell him I was so excited. I still had some pain but it was 90% better than when I went to bed.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I modeled my steroid intake on Excel and demonstrated to the doctor that by splitting the dose to an AM and PM amount, I could reduce the peaks and troughs of the steroid and gain 24 hour relief. I have since written a Windows PC application to log and display my progress, or otherwise. The data can be exported to CSV for subsequent import to a spreadsheet, or a database. I offer this application to the community to help produce fully documented case histories, which the medical profession may find useful. Please explore the contents of the zipfile at the following location: www.btconnecthosting.com/Turbine/Medical/TabReg141004.zip The file contains a PDF manual, which should answer most questions. It is FREE, so use it and pass it on.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Felt little or no relief for at least a week. Took 15mg for three days, then 10mg for a few weeks.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Split dosage in 3, with meals, breakfest, lunch and dinner.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	As above - there was a 90% improvement within 8 hours at start of steriods. When down to 12 mg I had some ache (not pain) in wrist (particulary left) and hand which subsided about 5/6 hours after medication - ongoing at 10mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dose taken at 3 pm after contacting doctor for pain relief while awaiting test results, felt 80% better within 4 hours, worked like a little miracle.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	On waking in the early hours to go to the toilet after taking first dosage of 15mg in the evening,( GP said that it would be ok to take in evening), I found I could get out of bed easily as it was total agony trying to get up...wonderful.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I am taking methyalprednisolone 4mg 2x a day for 2 months, now tapering off to decrease 1mg , every 3 weeks. prednisone did not work as well for me
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Within 48 hours of prednisone the symptoms improved greatly and I got my life back.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on 15mg, dramatic improvement in symptoms within the first few days. Instruction from rheumatologist was to reduce to 10mg after two weeks, which caused the pain and stiffness to return. Consequently, I had to go up to 20mg, and two months later, I am on 18mg. I have also been taking methotrexate, but I have a chest infection now,(being treated with amoxicillin) and my GP has told me to stop taking that until the infection has gone.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	May 2014, Initil dosage was 20 for approx 3 monts, then a taper od 2.5mg/week. Had relapse at 12.25mg - headaches and scalp oain with should/neck pain. October 2014, GP raised pred to 50 mg for 5 days then a drop to 25mg and a taper by 2.5 mg per week. December 2014, had additional relapse, saw opthomologist who prescribed 70 mg for 1 month then 2.5 mg taper/week and have adde in Methotrxate (25 mg/week). March 2015, have had relapse at 40 mg and haved increased pred to 45 mg. See Rheumatologist April 2015 to review med plan.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Back to 'normal' within 5 hours of initial dose. However the effect did not last until morning.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was free of pain and stiffness after 48 hours of taking Prednisone. I felt a new found flexibility and lack of stiffness in my muscles that I haven't felt for many years and wonder if the stiffness of PMR was actually gradually developing over a longer period of time but was so gradual I was unaware it was happening until the onset of the pain.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dose relieved all symptoms, including leg issues of prior ten years. A reduction sheme that was too fast resulted in a relapse at 25 mg. Return to 40 mg did not have the same effect as initial treatment. Leg issues returned and have continued.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Worked like a miracle, but continued mainly with shoulder pain.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	A miracle
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I took 20mg of prednisone at 4:30pm and woke at 2:30am and was able to easily get out of bed with hardly any pain. I did a happy dance!!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Relief happening the first day on prednisone with increased relief the following few days. My doctor has little knowledge of PMR; he said I would be off prednisone within a few months. When I wasn't, he constantly told me to get off them asap. Consequently I reduced way too fast, had a relapse, discovered the UK PMR forum, got restarted at 10 mgs, came down to 4 1/2 mgs and had to stay there for over a year (reduction attempts were unsuccessful), have just reduced to 4 mgs and am now feeling that I will be able to reduce further at a more constant rate.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	One year after initial dx. Symptoms of GCA appeared. Dosage of steroids upped to 60 MG. After 2 months, taper begun. 60 to 40, then more slowly.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was on oral prednisone drops and did not know that my dose was 50mg. I was tapered down over 2-3 months down to 15 mg which I found kept my symptoms at bay. I could function almost normally at 15 mg. However, The rheumatologist got me to taper right off prednisone as he said he needed me to be off it to make a diagnosis. Although I felt fantastic on prednisone I developed an irregular heart beat, which got better after I stopped the prednisone ( I was having episodes 3 times a day lasting about an hour each of irregular heart beat, made me feel ill. I now have it maybe 1-2 time a week and lasts about 10-15 minutes). I have not started back on prednisone.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started at 20 mg in morning,which relieved all symtoms until about 1 to 4 am then severe symtoms returned so we spilt dose 10 mg am and 10 mg pm then all symtoms resolved! Stayed at this dose 1 month then started tapering.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially seemed the prednisolone did not offer the full 24hour pain relief, improved when switched to enteric coated tablets and took them in early hours of the morning ie 2am.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took approx 7 days for me to get relief from initial dose. Pain has never gone away completely but is bearable and/or manageable with basic painkillers
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially had about 70% reduction in pain and stiffness. Stiffness lasted all day but was worst in the morning. Took 8 weeks for blood tests to return to normal and at that point the pain had reduced and the stiffness had gone completely. This situation did not fit any tick box.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	This is difficult to fill in because it's for PMR and I have GCA. Most of my initial symptoms went away within 24 hours but I did still suffer double vision, in brief episodes, for up to 2 weeks after starting on 60 mg Prednisolone. Also, it was several weeks before the jaw claudication went completely. My worst symptom now is the backache - I can sit, sleep and drive BUT not stand or walk for more than a very few minutes. I know this is caused by the Preds. so am reducing as fast as I safely can.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Only taken one dose so far.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Those who describe this as a miracle are not far off the mark. I realized after I felt well again that for months I had been clad in a cloak of pain. One month at 15 mg. After that I was instructed to reduce at the rate of 1 mg per week. This was fine until got to 9 mg when I experienced significant return of symptoms. I upped dose to 10 mg where I plan to remain for about 3 weeks while the symptoms gradually disappear (nearly there) before starting a much slower taper - maybe one mg or even.5 mg per month depending how it goes. It was not made clear to me that the disease is still in my body, and I will have to take some amount of prednisone until it finally leaves me, which I understand can take years. I now understand that I can only aim to get to the lowest dosage that will control the symptoms. This should be made clear to newly diagnosed patients, perhaps through a small information handout.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dose of 40mg was reduced to 30 mg in a week. Then it was reduced to 20mg in another two weeks. Continuing that for four months up to date.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have not started down this road. Am very, very reticent - would rather suffer than take prednisone
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I had absolutely no relief for 8 days and then I put some copper in my shoes (called copper healers) and within hours nearly all my pain had gone
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	First 24 was excellent with minor pain at night returning and stiffness and seems to be more pain in the evening at 48 hours. Note: only been on prednisone for 48hrs. Dr. Diagnosed but didn't prescribe, gave me percocets for night time pain which did nothing. Ended up in emergency and they put me on prednisone. Already experiencing side effects
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially cortico steroid injection gave total relief for 6 weeks, prednisolone 15 mg started on return of symptoms
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Prior to PMR diagnosis, I had a summer chest cold and was given 2 week run of prednisone, starting with 15 mg and two week taper. My PMR symptoms were instantly relieved. I was stunned! When prednisone taper ended in 2 weeks, the PMr symptoms came crashing back, and I was totally bedridden! After badgering my GP for more pred, she tentatively diagnosed pmr, and referred me to Rheumy. Dx confirmed, and 20 mg pred commenced. Results were slightly less stunning than the first pred experience, 3 months prior, but we're still pretty spectacular. I felt like I would be able to return tto some kind of normal life. My dosage was 20 mg with quick taper to 15, then slow taper to current dose of 5 mg. all taken in am, although at higher doses, I split dose between am and pm, for carry over relief through night.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Not on any drugs. I refuse to take them. Have been prescribed 75mg diclofenac twice daily.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Fought PMR with ibuprofen for 10 months with no diagnosis, referred to rheum at 7 months. Fam doctor prescribed prednisone at 10 months, initialy tried 10 mg/d for five days, then increased to 15 and felt dramatic improvement within two days. Tried to taper to 10 at 2.5 mg/d every 2 weeks but failed at 10 went back to 17.5. Finally got in to rheum after waiting 7 months, was put up to 20, have tapered down to 9 over 6 months.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage of prednisone was 10mg but after 2 weeks raised level to 20 mg/day since 10 not really relieving symptoms
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Two five-day courses of 40mg/day. After the first course finished, I was nauseous and passed-out, (fainted), later retiring to bed. Overnight, I became increasingly paralysed, only able to roll from my back to my left-hand side.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I noticed immediate relief within hours after taking the Prednisone; unfortunately I am unable to continue with treatment with Prednisone due to the side effects.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Joints are much better stiffness wise but still have lot of aches.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Activity relieved my stiffness and pain.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Felt much better within a week
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I felt good enough to forget to take it one morning. Was in pain by mid afternoon. Tapering schedule doesn't fit in boxes below as it was every 6 weeks.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Within 3 hrs I had relief from pain and stiffness.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My rheumatologist gave me an injection of 120 mg and then 20 mg predisilone daily in the morning by mouth.I was then able within a week or so to go about most daily activities from being totally incapacitated.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I really didn't notice morning to be worse than the rest of the day
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Less effective now than initially, since I tried to taper the dose and had a gastric virus for 24 hours.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 80 or over Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	As above
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	When I got down to 10mg I found it more benificial to split between morning and evening. PMR was not diagnosed by the hospital but by my son who is of all things a Gynaecologist
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Switched dosage to 6pm so concentration highest during sleeping period.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Worked like a charm. But have had flares since as I struggle to taper off. Have been put on methyltrexate as I've had really bad side-effects from the Prednisone even at only 10 mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After the initial dose of 30mg For 1 week I was told to drop to 20mg the following week. This worked well. The third week I was told to drop to 20 mg this did not work and had a relapse. Doctor advised to up dose again to 25 which again worked well. Rheumatologist now has me on a plan of reduction. At the moment I am on 19mg but reducing soon by another 2mg. So far so good but I am prepared for relapses. Desperate to get down further as side effects are awful. Main to problems are insomnia and indigestion/ heartburn.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	~My initial dosage prescribed by my GP was actually 20mg for 2 days as there was a query regarding the GCA diagnosis. After 2 days on 20mg the GCA symptoms had not abated and I was sent to my local A&E for immediate assessment in case of loss of vision, stroke etc. Doctor at A&E doubled the dose to 40mg immediately and a temporal biopsy was arranged to take place a few days hence. The higher dose of prednisolone (40mg) did alleviate some of the GCA symptoms within a couple of days although I was still having night fevers, but this may have been a side effect of the medication as I had many side effects of prednisolone immediately on starting it.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage of 15% brought relief of most symptoms within 72 hours. However, shoulder pain persists although much reduced. For example, I find it difficult to drive as the twisting motion needed when reversing causes sever pain in my shoulders. The swelling in my right knee reduced over a period of about a month but if I do not wear a support bandage when walking I experience discomfort and slight swelling.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After going back to 15mg. As10 mg was giving me too much return of pain,I have not had the same relief as before. Now 2 hours of serious stifnes and pain then pain for the rest of the day which is just about bearable. Feeling very fatigued.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took a few days for obvious relief
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The relief was complete but took about 48 hours.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After 2-1/2 years not much progress in terms of prednisone dosage. Yo-toed thru the last two years...didn't know I should have stayed at 10m for one year. Have had many setbacks...severe rash...pain...fatigue. Went between 10m daily, up and down, to 7-1/2m for twelve weeks, then flared again. Rheumatology says I may be "prednisone resistant". Have refused to take Methotrexate, even tho it was recommended by my rheumatology. Refused to take Actonal (for bone density), also recommended by my rheumatology...even tho my bone density has increased by 3.3% from the original Dexa scan at the start of my diagnosis.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I only took 15mg/day in the morning and was 70% better within a week. I stayed on the higher dose until I was 100%better and, after 3 months, started slowly reducing.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Reduced pain from 10/10 to about 4/10 and improved my ability to walk, change postitons, dress, and do daily activities.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	did have some distorted vision for a few times that lasted only a couple minutes.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 80 or over Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	blessed relief from pain
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I stereo from cellulitis in my face during the second month of my treatment. I was given 30 m in hospital, as well as anti biopics abd blood transfusion.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Taper schedule was initaly every 6 weeks.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have needed to resist GP's wish to taper more quickly than I want, after having had a return of symptoms early on in the treatment.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Only got 70% pain relief after approx 10 hours. After 4 months tried splitting the dose. 50% am, pm. This made a huge difference and became mainly pain free on this schedule.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on 15 and then she dropped me to 10 after a week so symptoms kicked in more again. I was pretty good at 15 originally but then when she bumped me back up to 15 it wasn't enough. She then referred me to another rheumatologist for second opinion, but I chose to keep going to him after that. He put me on 25 to completely knock out the pain...or to see if it would do it. It did completely. Then we started tapering. Now at 8.5 mg but have quite a bit of pain and stiffness. I ABSOLUTELY HATE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF PREDNISONE. I would prefer enduring some pain and stiffness to being at a higher dose of pred with all of the side effects. I am reducing by .5 mg per month since getting down to 10. I can't do the schedule below because I have bounced up and down so much...no real set schedule.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Dr. Originally had me dosing 30 mg. Pred every other day. Not effective
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I felt human again once I was give the prednisone. The prednisone effectively handled the pain issues, but debilitating fatigue, brain fog, sleep issues, low energy were life altering and long term issues. When sleep issues were at their worst, I eventually found taking Prednisone at night, instead of the morning, helped me to get a full nights sleep. Doctor did not seem to be well informed on tapering with PMR. She pushed to drop too quickly. Finally found some better support from an online forum. Doctor then offered to let me taper at my own schedule.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After the first few months when tapering began in earnest, every dosage decrease caused 2 weeks of agonizing pain, so my rheumatologist prescribed methotrexate to go along with the Prednisone.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The drug was wonderful, I could move again.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage provided such relief I thought the ppain was completely gone, but realized only about %80 relieved.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Stiffness and pain is gone but constant headache and fatigue persists
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Reduced to 10mg after 4 weeks. Random but manageable discomfort across shoulder blades has persisted but I'm happy to be on a reduced dosage of steroids.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My doctor first put me on 20 mg (as a test) for only 3 days, which relieved all but 2-3 hrs of pain & stiffness in the early morning. Then after those 3 days he brought it down to 15 mg. for three weeks. Actually, I misunderstood the RX and took it for 3 days then nothing for the 4th day, which was a killer. Then after that started up on 15 mg., I felt I was trying to gain ground on it again. It has gradually improved but at first I had a good 4-5 hours of pretty severe pain in the mornings. I was afraid to divide it for fear of insomnia (taking half at night), and also just getting through the work day. Now after 3 weeks on 15 mg. I am supposed to drop down to 12.5. I feel it is premature and have expressed that to the doctor but he seems determined to stick with this schedule. And because of medical insurance issues, I can't just take it as I wish because I'd run out sooner than I'm supposed to and the insurance would refuse to pay for the refill, not to mention the dr. might not refill it. So I feel stuck.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took about three days to be able to walk down stairs without double stepping. By seven days I was feeling less stiff but not completely pain free in biceps when raising arms or knees still had stiffness but it was much better. My hip pain resolved.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	First decrease from 15mg to 10mg had return of mild/moderate symptoms. continued to taper with mild/moderate symptoms until return of moderate to severe symptoms caused need to return to initial dose of 15mg
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Progressed from inability to dress myself coping immediately although with moderate pain and stiffness remainng until early afternoon
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Medication 100% effective after about 7 days. Before that, just a small ache/pain in top of head and behind eyes.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It was, I told the GP, 'almost a minor miracle'. Within 3-4hours!! (I hadnt expected it to work at all. Hate taking meds of any sort. Prefer food as my medicine). Pain almost gone, 90% increase in mobility. 40% more energy. (without Pred I calculate that I operate on about 10% of my pre-illness/stalking energy levels). On Pred I definitely get an unbroken sleep. No waking up in pain 4 or 5 times a night. Still only 6hrs in total though. Would like 8hrs!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Unanswered	I got the "miracle" response - painfree within 45 minutes.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially prescribed 10mr for 1 wk by nurse practitioner at urgent care. Within hours, some immeditate relief, I'd say 50%. Follow up by GP increased dose to 15mg. Conditin did not improve, and actually got worse, during the month I waited to see Rheumatologist. Rheumy increased dose to 20mg in January. Gradual daily improvement as inflammation was brought under control. Felt more myself by April-May. Attempted reduction to 18.5mg/day in May-June led to Achilles tendonitis, both legs. Abandoned reduction attempt. Late July still some residual problems in heels. Attempted new reducton alternating days 19.5/20mg for one week. Pretty good. Attempted 19.5/day followin week. No good. Back to 19.5/20. We'll see where we go from here once renewed tendonitis clears.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Effective in reducing ESR and CRP but damage resulted in permanent nerve damage to leg and revascukarization
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Prednisolone worked after two or three days probably seventy per cent , slowly walked better .
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	By the next day after initial dosage, I no longer needed the cane. The morning before, I had to slide out of bed and crawl to the bathroom.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I got about 50% relief on day 1, increasing to 80% relief from day 4 onwards. Still had some morning pain and stiffness, but by the evenings I felt 100% relief. At this point the rheumatologist still wasn't convinced I had PMR (due to age, lack of inflammatory markers and less than 100% response to Prednisolone), so he told me to reduce to 10mg, with a view to coming off altogether. However, after a week at 10mg the pain had come back such that I couldn't function properly, and I decided (with my GP) to go back to 15mg and treat as PMR.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The original dose of 15 mg started to work after 5-6 hours. Unfortunately the rheumatologist told me to reduce to 10 mg after 14 days, at which point all my symptoms returned. Following advice from the hospital I had to increase the dose to 20 mg per day, from which I had to reduce,again by 5 mg. At that point I began to look on the internet and found the PMRGCAuk website and I started to use the DSNS taper.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Never had morning issues- it was always all day, worse in the evening, depending on how much I did during the day. It took 3 days to get initial relief and that was probably 70% relief.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Initial response was near total relief from pain and stiffness.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Still had headaches after initial dose (80mg) for at least a fortnight. Reduced to 60mg at that time as opthamologist considered remaining eye saved! From then on, pain virtually complete for 24 hours, but long slow taper
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	tried to have initial dose am and pm, but as reduced, seemed to be in constant 'nagging' pain, so reverted to am full dose only
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Initially had 2 intravenous steroid infusions, (October 2016) then went onto 15mg steroids daily. Then developed GCA on 3/1/17 and went onto 50mg prednisone daily. I have been decreasing but recently had a UTI which seems to have affected me as I feel I am starting to flare again and will contact my Rheumatologist if I don't feel it is settling in the next week.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	such a relief to feel better and not break when getting out of bed. I received 100mg prednisone at 3am and when awoke later around 10 was pain free and felt like it was the best day of my life.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Whith begging medrol I have pain i the knees
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	GP who diagnosed PMR reduced the dose by half after one week but pain was so severe, I had to increase and a reduction schedule was drawn up by another GP in the SAMEpractice.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The first morning after the initial dose I was able to get out of bed on my own and partially dress myself. My husband had been doing these for me for a couple of months beforehand. 17 & 18 below I do not remember the tapering schedule as it concertinaed regularly as I have only be free of symptoms for odd days.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial effectiveness magic, then I got a severe chest infection almost immediately, treated with antibiotics and a fast reducing course of prednisolone 60mg back to 15mg in 4 days. Breakthrough pain / stiffness in early morning. I split the dose 2/3 am 1/3 late evening, much better.. I was told to reduce by 1mg daily per month but found 1/2 mg every 2 weeks more comfortable. As I reached lower doses (5mg and below) I could feel when I had not settled on the new dose and gave myself another week. I did not reduce to schedule before my holiday in October. My GP has been very tolerant of my control of my medication. Down to 2mg by 12th month to comply with GP and Rheumatologist I was very proud to please them but not settling on 2mg. Kept on that for whole month then severe re-occurance of carpel tunnel pain in untreated hand, and bursitis of L knee treated with a steroid injection. Now walking with a cane and awaiting surgery. Doctors have put dose up to 4mg but I have put it up to 7mg Feeling better but angry with pressure to reduce regardless of the patient's instinct.
Gender = Unanswered Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	When I tried to taper down, all symptoms came back worse and I had to be put on a higher does to get any relief.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I started on 15mg and this helped to ease the symptoms but after 2 weeks they increased in severity and then the dosage increased to 20mgs and I still have minor morning pain for couple of hours
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Brilliant relief to start with. But then symptons gradually got worse again, especially after reductions. Had so many flares, & ups & downs of dosage. Never without pain.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	AM only was not effective so split dosage AM PM worked better for me
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage of 25mg worked great for several months. Had 2 flare-ups when trying to reduce the prednisolon. Do the dead slow method now. Hard, but achievable.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I felt as if the pain was going within a couple of hours of taking the prednisone.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	GP tried to reduce the dosage far too quickly
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I am in UK so take Prednisolone. I took my first dose of 60 mg on 31st July 2017 (the date of my initial diagnosis) and within an hour all pain and stiffness faded away. However the other major symptom of overwhelming and almost permanent fatigue was not affected at all and continues to this day.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I feel wonderful for the first month. Almost euphoric.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I feel wonderful for the first month. Almost euphoric.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Almost manic - was out digging the garden! But GP was ill-informed and told me to reduce from 20mg to 15 mg after 2 weeks, and further reduction every week after. I lost the improvement. The next GP told me I should have taken 20 mg for a month and gave me better advice but I never regained the initial freedom from symptoms.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Headache was gone. Teeth and jaw pain gone.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Headache was gone. Teeth and jaw pain gone.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Exhaustion still persisted with lack of appetite for several weeks
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initially Prednisolone symptom relief on 20mgs.was very good but it didn't last the full 24 hours.Pain came back about 1 hour before new dose due and lasted until new dose cut in again.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Completely effective within around 6 hours. Started to feel some pains again when dropped to below mgs (dropped from 10 to 7.5 mgs in one go), then more so as reduced further. Came off Prednisolone after just over 2 years. Was on low dosage for about a year (3mgs or less).
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage was too high for me, I had bad side effects. After three months doctor Lowered me to 10mg. Of Rayos. She took me off Rayos and said I didn't have PMR anymore but now my symptoms are coming back.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	GP's initial schedule was 20mg for a week, 15mg for a week, 10mg for 2 weeks and then reduce to 5mg. At this point my symptoms returned with a vengeance. I then saw a different GP and found the PMRGCAUK forum on Health Unlocked I stayed on 10 mg for 4 months and then began to taper very slowly.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Dosage increased to 40mg after GCA diagnosis
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	6 hours after taking my first dose, I got up out of my ‘LazyBoy’ chair after watching the news: wow ! what a difference ! Didn’t even think about it; just got straight up like I always used to: didn’t have to wriggle forward and then launch myself off grabbing a table on the way as I have been having to do recently. Getting clothes on coat hangers down off the clothes rail had become impossible. Getting out of bed: very hard. Later that evening, I found I didn’t need any assistance from my wife with removing my clothing before going to bed: for the past 10 days or so I found it almost impossible to get my sweatshirt off. Putting on a coat needed her help too. I then had my best sleep in about 10 days. Getting out of bed the following morning was easy, going to the loo was no problem. For the previous few days, I had had to make use of a stick to help me get up off the loo… Best of all was how I felt so much better. All the aches in my shoulders, neck and groin area had gone. The following Sunday afternoon, my wife said she was going to mow the lawn. I insisted on doing it as I wanted to see how I would go. Over the past year or so, I have been finding mowing the lawn had become quite an issue for me. I put this down to ‘fair wear and tear’ in my knees but I’m thinking now that perhaps I have had a twinge of PMR lurking in my body for some time. Perhaps it was that my punishing ‘Move It’ mould & moss spraying / suitcase lifting etc triggered that PMR ‘flare’ up on / about 20 August in my left shoulder ? Here’s the issue: for some years now we have one of those power-drive lawn mowers: you squeeze the handles together and the mower sets off: you don’t have to push it, you just have to steer it. Brilliant machine: I should have bought one 20 years ago. But increasingly over this last year or so, I have been finding that I can hardly keep up with the beast: it’s no good trying to slow the mower down by easing the throttle as then the mower simply won’t cut the grass… The throttle always has to be wide open. This resulted in my seemingly being dragged around the lawn, struggling to keep up with the thing. Quite exhausting and painful on the old legs. It had got to the point where I had been seriously thinking of getting of replacing the mower with a ‘ride on’ one. Well, imagine my surprise as I zipped around the lawn never once feeling I was getting left behind ! No difficulty at all: I was keeping up with the thing with no issues at all. Just like I used to up until a year or two back. No pain in the knees at all. Wonderful. Additionally, my wife has noted that I have lost the ‘waddle’. For a year or so now, she has remarked how I appear to ‘waddle’ along like a duck when I walk. 6 months on and I going quite well. I seem to have been lucky not getting too many side effects. Main issue is disturbed sleep at night. I wake after 2 or 3 hours sleep, walk around a bit and then try again. I'm lucky if I get 4 or 5 hours sleep at night. I take a one hour afternoon 'nap' when I can.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took about 2 weeks to get to the 100% mark. Until then, I was still feeling pain and was starting to wonder if I was prescribed enough dosage. My guess is that since I let the inflammation go for so long (3 months), that my body just needed that extra time to respond and recover. Although the night sweats have gotten much better, I still occasionally wake up sweating; but instead of sleeping in only 1 /12 to 2 hour increments, I now can sleep 3, 4 or even 5 hours without waking up.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Two nights before turning over in bed , slowly walking better , I think the muscles had to get used to walking normally.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dose of 20mg worked wonders. Recommended taper was too fast with 5mg drop after a month then slowed myself as wasn’t feeling as good. Not well advised by GP and proceeded as thought that was what I should do but not knowing what to expect or to look out for.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Tremors in body. Swollen knees. Hair loss. Fatigue. Seems like I'm working on 1/2 strength.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	When diagnosed I was told to go home and take the prednisolone straight away.-- it worked well - but I did have over an hours' gap in the early morning of shoulder pain for the first month after changing to a morning dosage.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	100% relief at 36-48 hrs.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	During 2nd month I started taking Actemra shots once a week.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Started on 16mg. Rheum had me reduce to fast And had to go up to 24mg. Now on 20mg With about 70 percent relief.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Unanswered	At first the prednisoline helped straight away enabling me to get out of bed and carry on. But I had several flare ups. Had to up my steroids several times.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Still had painful shoulders but could get back to normal life. Things did get bad as rheumatologist only gave me 5mg tablets and wanted reduction after three weeks when blood markers were still high. This did cause a lot of pain, tiredness and flu like symptoms. It meant I started to yo yo on reductions which I think was detrimental.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	1st dose takes up to 5/6 to kick in before i can start to motivate.by time 2nd dose kicks in im more motivated feeling myself more energy.but that can drop very quickly i get fatigued tired need to rest.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Prednisalone became less effective as I reduced below 10 mgs.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I had a medrol pack, and a 3 week steroid taper before being diagnosed with PMR. My GP was unfamiliar with PMR and I diagnosed myself based on symptoms a miraculous response to one dose of prednisone. I had 2 relapses before convincing my GP to treat me for PMR. She sent me to a rheumatologist to confirm diagnosis. The rheumatologist forced me to reduce prednisone by 1 mg per month regardless of symptoms which resulted in another relapse. I have since not been able to reduce below 5 mg without return of symptoms.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	On tocilizumab injections once a week plus taper.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	With my first occurrence of PMR,started 15 mg prednisone with taper to 0 at 1 year, no relapse. See above comment: with my 2nd episode of PMR,9 years later, 10 mg prednisone starting worked well, am tapering 1mg/week(faster because on methotrexate also), and so far so good, no problems.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have suffered nausia daily since being on pred. Very like morning sickness but continuous
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I felt the initial dose was very effective and was advised to stick with that for 2 months before initial tapering. Then the GCAsymptoms set in.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	After 4 days I was a new person. Felt fantastic for the first time in at least 6 years.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The initial dose had a miraculous result within less than 24 hours.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	90% pain relief but don’t have problems in the morning
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	PMR diagnosed initially in November 2017 and started on 30mg prednisilone with immediate relief. Began reducing to 10mg Prednisolone Dec 2017. Jan 2018 severe headaches - GCA diagnosed Feb 2018 and began immediately at 60mg Prednisilone. Now in April 2019 tapering at 10mg. So far so good.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	AM pain increased when reduced to <12.5mgs
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I start reduction in pain within 48 hours reduction again following 1 week of steroids, 3 weeks in I feel a reduction again but not gone
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I am unable to access prescribed medication
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I had the usual miraculous result of going on Prednisolone and it working like magic immediately. That was 15 months ago, I started on 20mg, quickly got down to 10, but it has taken me a long time to get down to 4.5 currently, where I have been stuck for about 2 months. I have a residual amount of stiffness/pain most of the morning but am unsure whether this is down to PMR or as a result of trying to come off the Pred. I have had osteoporosis for several years, which worries me and is what makes me keen to reduce my Pred dose.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	AM dose I inceased to 20 mg on second day
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	The very high dose for GCA dealt with the PMR
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Had to increase initial dose to 17.5 after initial dose became ineffective
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Within 2 days all pain and stiffness in body went. Jaw pain and difficulty chewing remained for about a month and a half. Eyesight permanently lost.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I think my starting dose of 10 was just abut OK, but I was made to taper too quickly. I was down to 5 within 6 months and then in absolute agony for the next 2 years, could hardly walk. Dr would not let me increase Pred but I did occasionally and it worked
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Almost 100 % within 48 hours
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Along with 5 mg prednisone, the first GP ordered hydrocodone 4xd. The second GP did a decreasing dose of prednisone, starting at 20 mg x 14 days, 15 mg x 14 days, 10 mg x 14 days, 5 mg x 14 days. But I got in to see the rheumatologist a few days later, and she put me on 40 mg prednisone x 4 days. And then started reduction. I am currently on 5 mg qd. In 1/2019 she ordered azathioprine in addition to the prednisone, which I could not tolerate. In 3/2019 she started me on methotrexate IM, which I have been on since. 1 ml 1 x week. Am currently in the process of reducing that.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It was almost miraculous. The pain and stiffness was gone in a couple of days.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Initial dosage of 15mg prednisolon very effective. 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. seems to suit. Then only very minor stiffness towards evening
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	20 mg to start in am only. Then tried 10 mg am and pm. Pain not Controlled. Rheumatologist then put me on 30 mg split between am And pm.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Saw a private specialist she administered an injection of steroids so far 24 hours on 40% of moderate pain opposed to 90%
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Took 2 weeks for relief
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	After a month, switched to a 75% AM, 25% PM schedule which allows me to be pain free for 24 hours
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Originally I had an early morning gap with pain of about 2 hours before next dose of prednisolone 20mg. was due.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	100% relieved after 6 hours
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	100% relieved after 6 hours
Gender = Unanswered Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I am usually quite active and pain free but by mid afternoon I get tired and usually rest, falling asleep watching a quiz programme. Pain is more severe at night
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 80 or over Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The very first dose of 15mg Pred gave complete relief within two hours. During the last relapse at 6.5mg Pred, I suspect the painful symptoms were caused as much by adrenal insufficiency as by the underlying PMR.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I begin with 20 mg and it was within a couple of hours effective. A week later developed sight problems, rheumatologist put me on 6o mg for a month
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The relief deteriorated as I reduced the pred. I did have shoulder surgery for impingement and torn biceps tendon and back surgery for impinged nerves. I eventually had steroid injections for trochanteric pain syndrome. I feel like I had two separate bouts of OMR because after four years and seemingly remission my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer. Looking after her and stress caused a severe flare, very high lab tests and severe symptoms. I am doing well after 11 months down to 11mg from 30.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	15mg prescribed to start, result was immediate but did not last 24 hours so was upped to 20 mg. Wonderfully effective!
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = Under 50 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	After being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain + fatigue conditions, and using a wide range of painkillers w/o relief, the prednisolone was the first effective medicine I was given. It was huge relief after years of suffering.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Not taking it yet. Considering other options.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I am, according to my DNA results, 100% north western European. My father was half Scandinavian. He also suffered from PMR and was on steroids for many years. Prednislone was a miracle drug, as far as I'm concerned. At the time of my diagnosis, I couldn't even get out of bed anymore. Even though I've been on the drug for many years, it has done me little harm. My skin is thin, but I inherited that tendancy anyway. My eyes are in good shape, my hair is still thick and my bone strength is good. I am still on steroids after 10 years, as I've said. I got down to 3.5mg in 2016, but PMR came back, so up to 5mg again. Sorted after a week or so.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It is too long since remission so it is difficult to be accurate.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Good relief quickly within 2 to 3 days.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	under GPdown 5mg every week initially. then once at 10mg down by 1mg per week went wrong on family bereavement and related strain, stayed at 5mg to try and ride it out went up to 10mg for few weeks when pain worse and less effective overall and struggling then much slower down with consultant with v gradual taper rather than sharp change. slowly slowly catchey monkey.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	I was told to take prednisalone as early as possible in the morning after food, 15mg (later 40mg after GCA diagnosis).
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	The fast taper - 15 at 3 weeks, 12.5 at 3 weeks , 10 for a month then 1 mg per month has made my symptoms come nack.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Was first started on 15mg dose daily but it had no effect so increased to 25mg which stopped all pain very quickly.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I have had PMR since 2017. Initially on 15mg difficult side effects to manage at work. Sweating, dizziness and headaches. Effective symptom control. Managed a reduction down to 8mg over the year but had to give up work as I was unwell with bad headaches and I was afraid of having a stroke. Stopped driving my car due to slow reaction times and poor coordination. My symptoms were definitely made worse because I was trying to stay in work. Moved abroad to live and relaxed. Slow reduction down to 1.5mg after three years. Experienced stress again as sister passed away. Back to 15mg. Reduced well to 6.5mg. Experienced stress again after 4 years. Back up to 15mg. I am now stabilised on 7mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	I was actually give 15mg. to start but took 20mg then lowered to 17mg then 15mg about two weeks later when I realized I was supposed to be taking 15mg.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Two days after I started the Prednisone my mood lifted and I felt euphoric. Very soon after that the stiffness in my shoulders and neck disappeared and then the legs went away. Within 2 weeks I felt relatively normal, and carried on with Pilates classes twice a week, and walking regularly.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	PMR was easy to manage and interpret with Prednisalone as an effective predictable treatment. Slow taper was essential of 10% of dose.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Two days after I started the Prednisone my mood lifted and I felt euphoric. Very soon after that the stiffness in my shoulders and neck disappeared and then the legs went away. Within 2 weeks I felt relatively normal, and carried on with Pilates classes twice a week, and walking regularly.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = Unanswered Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	20mg for 10 days, then 15mg for a month, then 10mg. Too fast a taper, so had to increase dose and taper more slowly.d
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Note the initial dose of 15mg was increased to 40mg after 3 weeks due to residual slight headache leading to a GCA diagnosis.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 50 to 54 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	If I pace physical activity I am pain free. If I try to do as before it flairs with weakness and fatigue
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Completely free of pain and stiffness but resulted in problems from over-activity due to increased energy and chronic insomnia.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Very tired each time I reduced dosage. Runny eyes, sometimes blurred vision.At 10mg
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	It took two weeks for the steroid to relieve symptoms
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	this is a guess:I do not accurately remember. There was definite improvement, but dose was increased after 12 days.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 60 to 64 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Reduced chronic pain...down to bearable pain stiffness all the time
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	My notes show little response to initial dose of 50mg, tapered to 25mg after three days, slow improvement over one week but any stress precipitated symptoms. Also still applying fentanyl patches and taking paracetamol as needed. Felt very WIRED, shaky.
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 70 to 74 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	Was never pain free with 15mg dosage. When the dose was dropped to 12.5 I had problems with jaw and opening mouth.. subsequently CGA was confirmed and dosage went up to 40mg
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Completely free of pain and stiffness but resulted in problems from over-activity due to increased energy and chronic insomnia.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 75 to 79 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Have sometimes used spit dose when needing ½mg, e.g. 2½mg coated pred at bedtime and 2mg uncoated with breakfast to make a daily dose of 4½mg. When doing this I usually fell better first thing in the morning that when taking the full dose (uncoated) with breakfast.
Gender = Male Age When Symptoms Started = 55 to 59 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = Yes	60mg of pred for three weeks then 40mg for two months. No relief of pain much to the Rheumatologist disgust with me
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	Less than 15 hours all symptoms resolved but then side effects of steroids kicked in
Gender = Female Age When Symptoms Started = 65 to 69 Diagnosed with Giant Cell/Temporal Arteritis = No	the initial dose cause dreadful intestinal symptoms so I was unable to sleep due to abdominal pain . I then reduced dose and gradually returned to 15 mg.