Tiredness - PMR or steroids?

[missrat]

I have recently been diagnosed with PMR and am on 15mg-12.5mg prednisolone on alternate days. I am having major fatigue problems and wonder whether wither or both are responsible.

What have other people found?

[trish29]

Hello missrat. I can sympathise with you as I suffer dreadfully with Fatigue and we both seem to be on the same dose of prednisolone. As you are newly diagnosed with PMR you may find that the Fatigue gets slightly better. You have to pace yourself with everyday chores and get as much rest as you can (easier said than done). I saw my GP yesterday and he confirms that the Fatigue is a combination of PMR and medication. I hope that things improve for you. Take care and Best wishes trish29

[Hidden]

When initially diagnosed with PMR in Aug 2011, I was on 15mg prednisolone daily for 2 months until the blood tests returned to normal. At that dose I found that I was not able to sleep for long periods and tended to be wide awake at 4am before falling alseep later on. Certainly I was very tired all of the time partly due to a lack of sleep which was drug related but I also found that my muscles got tired very easily which was probably the PMR. Once I was down to 10mg I started sleeping better which helped enormously. Now I am down to 1.25mg and the tiredness has very slowly worn off but I am still not able to do as much as I used to although I am getting there. I feel that it is essential to rest when necessary even catnapping during the day during the early stages.

Give yourself plenty of TLC. It does get better eventually.

Pat

[2watsons]

Fatigue PMR go to together ten months on i now have days when i feel almost normal ,still have some not good days ,so keep smiling it does get better .Good lunck

[JUDEAPUDE]

I was very very tired when first diagnosed. I gave up my job, as did not know from which day to the next if I would have the energy to get out of bed. Also, as Pat has said, the pred would keep me awake and never got a full nights sleep. I am on 6mg now and sleeping much better.

Try to rest when you need to.

It will get better.

[Dovelady]

Sometimes About an hour after I get up I seem to have loads of energy but within a couple of hours even brushing my hair becomes an effort. I have taken on board all the advice about little catnaps and taking it easy, but I seem to be really restless and am constantly getting up and doing jobs that seem to be popping into my head. It is almost like a manic thing and I flit from one thing to another until I am firced to sit down and rest again.I am down to 30 mg Pred daily after five weeks and wonder if once I am onlower doses I might become more settled. Sleep is still hit and miss despite taking Kalms at night. Missrat it is really reassuring to read that others experience the same sort of thing and to read the answers to your queries. I am signed off work until the end of June but am really concerned that if this continues then I am going to have to give up and give in gracefully.

[55grove]

Yes, I have patches of fatigue. I find not to try to accomplish too much each day or the next day I could sleep most of the day. Also find if I have to take painkillers as well I am very "swimmy" and not good to drive.