diet to re-regulate cortisol levels: interesting.

[Hindags]

I've been wondering why I'm fine most of the day until 4-6pm when it is hard to keep going. But resting does not help. Actually, on the contrary, staying moderately active seems to help more. I also notice that at 9.5mgs Pred. the low is becoming more pronounced.

I googled "daily cortisol pattern" and found this: article:experiencelife.com/article/...

I found the carb. recommendations interesting. Don't understand why eating carbs later in the day seems to be helpful. Wonder if it's true for people on prednisone. Among the things that help me get through: an ounce of whisky and dinner. Both are likely to have more carbs than I eat the rest of the day.

Any thoughts? Any similar experiences?

[Marie1479]

Yes. I keep my carb & sugar intake extremely low. The late afternoon seems to be my worse time. I enjoy a glass of wine before dinner and found it really took the PMR edge off.

[Sandy1947]

I find oatmeal with berries and walnuts, sometimes hemp seed and chia seeds calms me down before bed. I also have this before Pred at 5:00 am. If I wake up during the night it helps go back to sleep. I make a lot at once and keep in the fridge. It works for babies and works for me.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The cortisol pattern may be relevant - though only just at barely below 10mg. But diet won't kick start adrenal function whatever the internet claims. The blood sugar boost may.

You're fine with your whisky - no carbs!!!! No carbs in any spirits I believe. Dinner - can't speak to that, don't know what you eat!!!!

[Hindags in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. I usually eat some fish, or home made chicken soup with greens and sausage and some lentils or chicken and a small salad or cooked green veggie: string beans, broccoli, cauliflower (not green) and often some avocado and cilantro on everything. Some nights also a small yam, no butter. Sometimes a piece of cracker bread or some nuts for dessert.

Lately our fifty year old apple leaf has come back to life and is producing the most wonderful little apples. I do mean little. Have been eating a few each day.

I am trying to do 9.5 now, down from 10. Have been feeling more achey in my usual PMR places. Rheumy told me to go back to 10 every other day. She also said on the 9.5 days that I could take the ,5 at about 3pm. I have found that to be helpful.

Your replies are always so helpful.

[SheffieldJane]

I recognise that pattern of energy dips and unrefreshing rest. Also food and sweet cravings in the evening. Going for a walk being helpful when you think you are on your last legs.

[Hindags in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for the reply. I don't go for walks, but I do "power through" getting dinner together, and doing physically active chores around the house. That seems to help me some. I'd be somewhat anxious going for a walk and finding myself to far from a place to sit. But that would be a good thing to keep in mind.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hindags]

You can get walking sticks that double as seats to perch on. And a rollator has two other wonderful assets: always a seat to hand and carries your shopping for you...

[Hindags in reply to PMRpro]

Will look for a rollator. I do have a cane with that converts to a tripod with a seat, not exactly comfortable though, nor very stable I'm afraid.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hindags]

I live in the leafy streets of Sheffield and until Sheffield City Council and the iniquitous Amey have succeeded in chopping down the beautiful mature trees for profit, I will continue to totter round them. It's all flat and I seem to manage quite well on the flat.

I get very puffed on any incline, I didn't last year it was the pain that held me back. I'm hoping it's not Pred damage. I am much more active than I used to be.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Arrrghhhhhh - Sheffield's trees are wonderful!!!

[Hidden in reply to SheffieldJane]

Lovely city park but on a slope if I remember.

[Dobermanlover]

Yes me too, often reduced to tears because I feel so utterly exhausted. It doesn't seem to matter whether I have had a 'lazy' day or a busy one either. Sitting down to dinner, eating it and then going for our evening stroll with the dog, seem to revive me somewhat. I have tried sitting down at that time having prepared dinner earlier on in the day, but it makes very little difference. I guess I'll just have to accept that's what happens and get on with it. I do sometimes give in to the craving for something sugary, but that really doesn't help either. And, oh, the guilt!

[Hindags in reply to Dobermanlover]

Thank You. I've tried the earlier dinner too, without much luck. I have found that .5 or .25 of Pred. at 3pm seems to help a bit especially soon after a taper when I'm apt to be more symptomatic in lots of ways.

The failure of the earlier dinner is what led me to think that it must be a cortisol thing. That's why I went googling in the first place. I still don't understand why Alcohol seems to help with the aches and pains. Not wine which gives me headaches, but straight alcohol. PMRPro has suggested that the alcohol opens the vasculitis compromised blood vessels and so more blood and healing oxygen can get to the muscles. At least that was my interpretation of what she said.