I was diagnosed with GCA in September 2014 and am now down to 7.5 pred a day and 15 Methotrexate a week. I have had the usual side effects of pred, in particular insomnia and weight gain, and have had some good advice from kind people on this forum. My question today is about muscle weakness and pain and joint pain. Before all this started I was a keen walker and have kept up a daily walk albeit short. I am dismayed at how weak I am and unable to walk for any distance. Yesterday I walked up a hill with the help of my husband and my stick and had to stop to rest a few times. This is a walk that used to take me 15 minutes and it took us over half an hour. Last night I had increased pain in my back, knees, thighs and calves.
Should I be pushing myself more in order to strengthen my muscles? Or the opposite? Has anyone had experience of being in this state and fully recovering? I am 76 so maybe I am experiencing the normal aches and pains of old age? I am having physio which has helped.