Pred Anniversary - Thanks to HealthUnlocked

[Skinnyjonny]

It's my 1st anniversary being on steroids and it's hard to believe all the weird and wonderful things which have occurred over the last year. The human body is a truly wonderful creation and it never ceases to amaze me what we can achieve. Thanks to you all for your support which has helped me get to where I am today. I've reduced from 20mg to 3.5mg and now "Running, swimming and even climbing free with a big smile again" I'll keep raising PMR-GCA awareness and understanding. Thanks guys. Please feel free to visit me on Facebook or on Twitter @skinnyjonny

[suzieh]

Have you had any days when you feel washed out and ill along the way? I think I am doing quite well, 20 mg - 4.5 mg in 2 years, but I still get rough days. I have started to split my dose half before bed and half when I wake up with good results for the last few weeks. Forgot last night and felt pretty rough this morning! Just a reminder I need to respect the PMR.

[Skinnyjonny]

Hi suzieh - When I was in bed and later in a wheelchair I was lethargic and had to sleep in the afternoons. I went downhill very fast (Jan - May 2013) before I got the Pred ... then I've had a weird and wonderful journey! I reduced to 5mg be the end of December and since then reducing by 1/2mg every 6-8 weeks with the aim to being somewhere near no steroids by the end of this December. I take Pred at 5.30/6.00am and rest for 45 mins which has really worked for me. I have always worked with the illness (see Kate's book) and am now swimming (up to 100 lengths), running 5km Parkruns (in my PMR-GCAuk NE Support vest) every Saturday morning and just started climbing rock again ... Happy days again I've listened to my Support Group, GP, Rheumatolgist, family and lots of great friends plus attend weekly hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions to support a daily stretching programme. I'm more than happy to share my health and fitness logs and compare notes. Take care suzieh x

[suzieh]

Very interesting! Thanks for reply. In a good week I am now doing Pilates 2 x. Yoga 1x and 1x aqua aerobics and quite a few hours of gardening at home and on our allotment. Like you I find the exercise helps. The first 9 mths I had PMR were hard - lots of sleep and feeling feeble ........ now, in second year lots of improvement and I can manage more. Still get odd days when I can't do much but they are getting fewer. Feel quite determined to get off the steroids in a couple of months so currently putting up with niggles and odd pains as I reduce. Due a blood test so hope Dr approves the next reductions. Keep doing well!! And keep posting please

to encourage us all!