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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Have Illness Due To Steroid Medication. Have PMR And GCA. What To Do?

i have PMR and GCA have been on steriods for 18 mths i was on 20mg steroids when started then got GCA was up to 60mg when below 15 GCA started to return up and down GCA now seams ok but PMR back with vengeance so on 15 mg steriods and methotrexate 15 mg folic acid day before the first day i hav felt real ill wore off a little through day got up bad next morning .anyone got these conditions or talking medication can give any info is there a better time to take it than morning does it work how bad is it compered to steroids thank you
Tue, 11 Jun 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,
Welcome to HCM,
After going through your history, you have Polymyalgia rheumatica( PMR) and Giant-cell arteritis (GCA).They occur simultaneously in 50% cases.You have not mentioned your age.
The both condition require oral steroids as treatment on long term basis and it is good that you have responded to treatment well.
Minimum effective dose of steroid is used as maintenance and Methotrexate is also immunosuppressive drug and can reduce requirement of steroid.
Steroid it is better to take in the morning as it coincides with circadian rhythm, also if possible to take alternate day steroid therapy reduces side effects of steroids in long term treatment.
Please discuss with your treating doctor.
Take care.
Good Luck.
Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.


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Have Illness Due To Steroid Medication. Have PMR And GCA. What To Do?

Hi, Welcome to HCM, After going through your history, you have Polymyalgia rheumatica( PMR) and Giant-cell arteritis (GCA).They occur simultaneously in 50% cases.You have not mentioned your age. The both condition require oral steroids as treatment on long term basis and it is good that you have responded to treatment well. Minimum effective dose of steroid is used as maintenance and Methotrexate is also immunosuppressive drug and can reduce requirement of steroid. Steroid it is better to take in the morning as it coincides with circadian rhythm, also if possible to take alternate day steroid therapy reduces side effects of steroids in long term treatment. Please discuss with your treating doctor. Take care. Good Luck. Dr.Akhilesh Dubey M.D.