Stress and PMR

[Rosbud]

Have been on 13mg pred and coping well with tapering but this week we have had A bad situation locally , with A very sad traumatic outcome and today I am in A lot of pain shoulders hips etc , is this A normal thing , I am only 6 months in to this journey so still trying to come to terms and learn about it , I would welcome any input or advice , thank you all for being there for all of us x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It WILL depend on the person - if you become very involved in a situation then yes, it could stess you enough to notice an increase of symptoms. But is it just that? Is your weather cold, wet, windy? Is there anything else? Did you reduce at the same time? It all adds up.

[Rosbud in reply to PMRpro]

Was very involved , search for A young man , sadly no longer with us ( close friend of grandson and I'd taught him ) and now trying to help lgrandson in the aftermath , has been cold and damp over last few days ,nude to taper to 12.5 next week x

[Pebble-Sue55 in reply to Rosbud]

Much Prayer for you all at this very sad time. Try and be kind to yourself and rest when you can. I find that emotional stress can bring on aches and pains because you are all tensed up. X

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosbud]

I'm so sorry - it is very hard for all involved. I'd wait a week or two before reducing again - 2 weeks in the great scheme of things is not much and if you reduce and still feel bad you won't know if it is the stress or a flare due to too low a dose.

[Mitziecat in reply to Rosbud]

So sorry to near about what you are going through. Thoughts and Prayers are with you. Good advice already given. Rest when you can & look after yourself.

[Insight329]

So sorry for your and your grandson’s loss. Take gentle care of yourself during this time.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Rosbud,

Been reading about that on Echo website, so sorry to hear the outcome, no wonder you are stressed. It certainly wouldn’t have helped your PMR, and obviously there will be more trauma to come so don’t even consider reducing Pred until things have settled. If your pain continues you could take an extra mg for a few days to help you through this very difficult period and then drop back down 13mg.

My thoughts are with you and all concerned - my grandson here in NZ is only a year or so older than Sam so something like this brings it home.

Take care.

[Rosbud in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DL , will hold off on reducing x

[Sandy1947]

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your grandson. I agree, no tapering at this time.

[5lupins]

A really sad time for everyone. Take care of yourself, they will all need you and it is hard when you are struggling every day. Jen

[SheffieldJane]

So sorry for all involved. That would certainly increase symptoms. Sit tight for a while and think of conserving your own strength as well as others.

[mikldiamond]

Very sorry for this loss for you, grandson and family of this young man. I have always believed stress effected my PMR symptoms. I agree with all on at least holding off on tappering.

[nuigini]

So sorry for the loss you and your family are suffering. The stress of the situation combined with the weather would be enough to send me for an loop and I'm almost four years in.

Personally, in your shoes, and so early in the PMR journey, I'd go back to where I was before the last reduction (or higher if it proved necessary after a few days) and stay there until I felt I was physically and emotionally ready to try again.

Don't forget to take care of yourself while you care as you must for your grandson and others.

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Take good care of yourself so you can take care of them.

Leave off reducing for the time being. Go up if you need to. In the long run, the few mgs over the course of the next few weeks won't matter, but you may avert having a major flare set you way back.

Condolences to you and yours. There's nothing worse than the loss of a child.

[Grammajoy]

I am convinced stress is major contributor to this disease. I was experiencing a lot of stress the last few months and feeling really bad . Lots of family issues and I knew that I had to let my 16 year old Cockapoo go but could not make myself give her up. I made the decision yesterday and even though my husband and I cried most of the day I am astounded at the weight that is off me today and how much better I am feeling. The decision hanging over my head was really pulling me down.

[HeronNS in reply to Grammajoy]

I am sorry about your pet. We do become so attached to them. But it's true about the stress of the situation and I'm glad to hear you are feeling better.

[Lassielou in reply to Grammajoy]

I had to make the same decision last year after a full twelve months of giving my old boy 24/7 care and as hard as it was I too felt as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I still think about him (18 months later) every single day but I'm comforted by the fact that he was an old man, it was his time and I count myself very honoured and fortunate to have had him in my life and for the good and the bad times we had together. I hope you too take comfort in knowing that at 16 your Cockapoo was a really good age and you so made the right decision. My thoughts are with you x