Irritiability

[bunnymom]

I know that when I get over tired I am prone to be irritable on the pred but now it seems to be constant. I am reducing this week which seems to be going well on other fronts. Any helpful comments welcome. I work with children so they deserve a better me. Happy weekend😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi bunnymom,

Early days when I used to reduce 'overnight' before using a slow method, for the first 3 or 4 days after the reduction I used to get irritable so put that down to steroid withdrawal symptoms. Must admit that after those initial days it disappeared though, so can't really help, you may just be unlucky in that's it's a side effect which you're prone to.

Hopefully, others will come to your aid!

[bunnymom in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DorsetLady that at least gives me hope. Maybe I am more tired than I think also. My college daughter has been keeping me up later than usual gabbing, which is of course good!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to bunnymom]

Yes, you forget how tired you get when normal patterns are altered. My son and family have been down locally for the last fortnight, and the other day I was so tired I fell asleep in day - haven't done that for long time, and couldn't really understand why. Then I realised I'd done a lot more driving than usual with later nights!

You carry on life as normal and forget how much both PMR and Pred take out of you, until you hit 'the wall' .

Sure you'll soon be back to your usual self.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think DL has got it! Bet you are more tired than you realise with the reduction.

But - have you seen the dead slow approach to reducing? That way you only get one day at a time feeling lower with recovery days inbetween - it looks slow but isn't really and you tend to have fewer problems.

[bunnymom in reply to PMRpro]

Yes PMR Pro that is how I am doing it after reading all this excellent advice! Thanks

[1Purplecrow]

Hi Bunnymom, a word of reassurance...you are going to be just fine. That being said, in the first year of PMR/pred, I (occasionally/frequently) found myself bitchy and quick to temper, neither of which were common for me.

As others have said in their responses to you, I learned to take time for myself, every day! time for a nap, every day! No exceptions! Even when others stayed up late into the night, I learned to give myself permission to excuse myself, and go to bed at 9pm (pick a time that works for you). In our culture, we , women, are not taught to care for ourselves first, and with PMR, that needs to change.

On the airplane, the flight attendants direct you to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you try to care for others.

Take the accepted wisdom and make a bunny nest for you! It's OK

Regards, Jerri

[bunnymom in reply to 1Purplecrow]

A bunny nest! Yes I will. Thank you.

[klairv0yant]

Very interesting question- when I was on a "to high" dose, as disc by my doctor. I had the worse fit and gambling fugue state : it cost me big!! Once lowered, i was me again, until I tried to drop dose. I hadn't read the dead slow drop here, thus was trying by 5mg per week. If have to say I was grumpy, reactive and shocked with my lack of me? Hope you get that, but I did balance out.

[bunnymom in reply to klairv0yant]

It is always a balance with this disease isn't it? And I seem to only see it in hindsight but I am keeping a journal so that helps me some. Thanks. Good to remember that today is not forever.

[Meg1711b]

Hi,

Yes, I also found myself to be uncharacteristicly irritable and critical for awhile on the prednisone. It's unsettling to act differently than the person you know yourself to be. I think it happened when I was around 10mg. I also think it is because you just don't have an ounce of extra energy to deal with anything due to the PMR. I'm at 5.5 and haven't had that issue in a long time. This too shall pass! Hang in there! Avoid as many commitments as possible, rest, and enjoy occasional get togethers with friends to help you feel normal. Hug.

[bunnymom in reply to Meg1711b]

Yes that is good insight. Not one extra ounce for any annoyances.

[TooSore]

Hi, I'm reading your post with interest. Like others I find prednisone affects my mood but in my case it seems to make me weepy! Very embarrassing at times. It gets better with more sleep/rest but sometimes it's hard to carve out the time..

[bunnymom]

I found resting this weekend has made a huge difference. To the point that I am wondering about using some sick time to take a few hours off early on Fridays. I feel this pmr is always one step ahead of me.