I am newish to this site I have posted once before about exhaustion but it is really getting me down. I fall asleep as soon as I sit down and do not seem to have any stamina at all. I was very fit before being diagnosed with PMR about 15 months ago. I am 83 years old and have reduced my pred from 15 to 6 over a period of time. I have three dogs and am unable to walk with them luckily my husband can but I miss walking and gardening is there anything one can do to alleviate the exhaustion? I find this site very comforting and am so pleased to have found it with all the helpful information. I do not have much support from my doctor and have not seen a rheumatologist.
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Seamusdog14
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As I have also been a long term fibromyalgia sufferer also, I can only tell you that what works for me and many other people who have the fatigue is figure out which foods you are reacting to and also do an anti inflammatory diet.
You are around the time when your adrenal glands should be working again, and my guess is they're being a bit on the lazy side! I felt absolutely whacked from about 6mg down to 3mg - no GCA symptoms, but the fatigue! And I only had to look at the chair and I was away!
It may just be a case of reducing slowly and hoping they will soon get the message, but if it goes on too long it might be an idea to ask doctor for a Synacthen test. It's relatively staightforward but usually needs to be done as an outpatient. It will confirm whether your adrenals are capable of working, but not if they actually are. But at least you know whether you have a significant problem, or whether it's just a matter of time!
In the meanwhile, do what you can in small bits, and rest when you need to.
Thank you so much for your reply. It is so comforting to know one is not alone with these problems. I will try not to fight it but when one has been very active it is quite hard to give in. but thank you
Hi Seamusdog, sadly fatigue is a symptom of PMR and as Dorset Lady says the adrenal glands will be asked to start working too. We need to accept that PMR is life changing and adjust our activities to work round the fatigue. If you have PMR you need to rest, rest, rest. I know it is a big shock to those of us who were active before PMR, but we could have had something much worse.
You have done very well to get down to 6mg - but now part of your fatigue will probably be due to your adrenal glands having to "wake up" and start producing cortisol again - which DL has mentioned already. And you are well over a year older - which I'm afraid makes a difference at any age when you are also on pred.
Hi Seamusdog14. Sorry to hear the exhaustion you feel is getting you down. I think all of us PMR sufferers can fall asleep as the drop of a hat, its finding what helps for you, we are all different and certain things can help with fatigue to some extent. I have been a PMR sufferer now for 2.5 years and down to 3mg of Pred. Like you I was very fit before I was diagnosed with this debilitating condition and walked my dog for many miles during the course of a week and this is what I missed the most. Then a friend told me how drinking water became her life saver during her cancer and the exhaustion she suffered . So I took her advice, even though I hate water ( I top it up with a little ginger or lemon ) and started drinking a couple of mouthfuls every hour of the day, or I drink the whole glassful if I am taking the dog out or gardening. It has given me back untold energy but of course I cannot walk my dog like I used to, but he gets a jolly decent walk each day and I get my much needed exercise. This is not to say I don't get tired, but now I can do the things I love to do, I pace myself and rest with a nice cuppa when I return from any activity. I hope this might be helpful for you. Good Luck......Maz
Hi, my advice...Go lie down. ... It is not a miracle cure, but when the exhaustion hits, go with it, and lie down. Sometimes, just 20-30 minutes is refreshing, and you can resume your day. One of the most challenging experiences of PMR is that feeling of exhaustion! I also sip a cup of caffeine beverage. Not a big cup, just a small amount, sometimes that helps.
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