Hi everyone I am enjoying a lovely holiday in the fabulous island of La
Gomera. I have been here a week and during that time have got down to 6mgs of prednisolone. I have held the dose for a week now. I am walking more but resting a lot too. I am definitely stiffer in all my joints and am wondering if this is just the withdrawal effect and how long this will last. I don't feel unwell just frustrated with my stiffness. At least I can sit in the sunshine though
Any insight welcome. Thanks
Hi Julie
Sounds great there! I suspect your stiffness is a combination of being more active AND now hovering around only just enough Pred to control the symptoms. Take it easy and enjoy the rest of your hol 
MB
Thanks Mark will stick at 6mgs and reduce the table tennis
Hello, I'm just back from my hols. Although I didn't reduce for the three weeks up to it, I did notice I was stiff and creaky after my first day walking around Rome. I thought it was an easy morning walking about ooing and ahing followed by and afternoon in bed. When I was disgruntled, my husband pointed out that we had walked 9km according to his techy doohickey.
Good point! La Homers is hilly too
Hi Julie,
Others have said it really. More walking, especially hills!
Personally whilst I was on Pred I never reduced just before a holiday, and certainly not when it! Too many changes in normal lifestyle to risk any adverse reactions.
Hopefully it's just more exercise and not anything more, but if it does get worse rather than better, as Mark says, you may have reached YOUR level at 6mg, so if needs be up your dose a little.
Thanks so much. I did debate the reduction on holiday but I thought the rest from stress of work and driving would maybe help I think I may be at the point of needing to be more patient! I read everyone's posts and know that taking time is the only way to conquer this flaming illness
I know it's a year now since things started. I was holiday this time last year and remember putting the stiffness down to walking I feel so old and can't imagine being active in my 60s and 70s if my 50s are anything to go by! But I know from every encouraging person that posts I will get there
Yes you will!
But, much as we enjoy them, holidays can be stressful. Maybe not in the way we think, but your normal routine is different, so although you may feel more relaxed mentally, your body notices the change. And as we all know it takes very little for PMR or GCA to think - "aye up, there's something different going on" I'd better join in!
Good point DL...
Yep Julie, and don't forget that you're at quite a critical point in the tapering process (i.e. < 7.5mgpd) where the adrenal set-up is being nudged to get back to 'normal' / natural functioning as opposed to relying totally on the Preds..
Also, many people DO come out at the other end of PMR. It just takes patience - and lots of pacing (if you know what I mean)
Thanks again everyone will update in a couple of weeks x
It's also a year for me since things started, and I was also on holiday and put the pain and stiffness down to pushing my mum in her wheelchair. I read avidly on the subject, checked out all the guidelines and decided I was going to be better and off steroids in a year! Some hope! I'm on long-term sick leave, half pay, 11mg pred and like you, feel so old in my 50s, I can't imagine ever being active in my 60s and 70s!
Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Take it easy and enjoy massages and relaxing! Thanks for posting that stunning photo.😀
It really isn't a good idea to try reducing while on holiday/travelling. Especially at the point you are at where your adrenal glands are having to wake up too!
I'll bet the humidity is also a bit higher than home???????
Hiya yes very humid here! I have now learnt another PMR lesson thought I was doing the right thing but won't do this again I will try and hold at 6mgs if possible, but will make sure I stay where I am when I go away in December! Thanks for the advice I should have check pre holiday
Have a lovely time for the rest of the holiday - I've not been to La Gomera, I hear it is lovely.
It is fabulous you must go
I have just been on holiday with family and felt wonderful whist away but back home all the stresses and strains of everyday life return. Just gone from 7/5 to 6/5 so fingers crossed! I did feel tired and a touch achy but put that down to the heat. I agree with Dorset lady and my doctor not to reduce on holiday or just before. Lived on Tenerife for two years and used to go over to La Gomera often. I envy you it's bliss! Have you been to the village called Chipude? I bought a lovely bowl from there and we stayed in a little pension. Now all I do is draw my pension! Hey ho! Good luck
Hi there we did go to Chipude last time we came but have only had a car once and visited Valle de Rey but prefer playa Santiago. We wish we could afford a place here! The journey is a pain but so worth it
Yes that was always our dream! A small finca to renovate but then grandchildren arrive and steal your hearts and you can't leave them!
It's the uneven terrain I think. What a beautiful place. Spend longer just looking at that view. Tempting to pop a milligram it would sort it, but it seems a shame.
Thanks I will hold on and spend more time on the balcony just had a fabulous massage so feeling great right now
What should I expect?
GCA Duration Expectations
Not what I expected! 
Tenderness, is that to be expected?
1st Post and 1st Rheumatologist tomorrow - what to expect?
