Greetings All
Well, Ok. Hands Up. Today, the DF (Deathly Fatigue) well-and-truly got me. After a good start this morning, by mid p.m. I was dragging myself around with my tail between my legs like the beleaguered CEO of a famous, equally beleaguered British financial institution (clue: 'Truly Shambolic Bank') after a roasting by MPs in the UK Parliament around IT systems and (a woeful absence of?) Crisis Management.
But then I reflected on the past weeks of all the strenuous stuff any of You Lot here who are daft enough to follow my ramblings might know: moving home, family celebrations, travelling, brawling with Tedski (always Fun), giving talks to PMRGCA local groups (even more Fun), dancing between The Pred Club and Pred Club Zero +/-, and getting up to my usual antics around the place.
Conclusion? Before you shout 'SILLY MB, YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER!!! from the rooftops: no surprise really. A question of Pacing (or lack of), and all that?
But 'Here's the Thing', as some of our US Lot might say: on the Positive Side, the first episode of the dreaded DF for as long as I can remember (for much of my PMR Journey it used to happen frequently, and wiped-out for days on end). But, today, only for a few hours (and a quick kip) before the Energy Batteries re-charged themselves - Result!
Lesson? Look at the Big Picture over Time with the typical PMR Symptoms (Pain, Stiffness, Fatigue). Ask yourself: overall, are things getting Better - even if in fits and starts, and with setbacks? If 'Yes', then you / we are slowly making progress with this chronic illness. If 'No', hang-on in there and try to roll-with it - with the help and support of this community and / or your Doctor / Specialist. There often is Light at the End of the seemingly endless PMR / GCA Tunnel, even if it's a dim light or sometimes seems like a Mirage.
Learning? Positive 'Load' (i.e. doing things which we look forward to and enjoy), even if struggling with PMR / GCA, and even if pushing ourselves a little more than we should, aren't necessarily bad for us, within reason. It's just a question of being realistic about what I call the 'Catch-up' period afterwards, when we have to rest-up and be patient in the process (as I did today).
In my books, what I call 'Positive Stress' (i.e. exciting / pleasurable things) can't be bad for us Psychologically - and I'm convinced that must feed back into the Physiological equation, somehow. I don't know how or can't prove it, but that's my Theory and I'm sticking with it for better or worse.
The Aunties might have some ideas about this? I await their responses nervously behind the sofa with that beady-eyed rascal, Tedski, at my side - who is now tagged by G4S and under a curfew after receiving a Court ASBO (for our overseas Friends - Anti Social Behaviour Order) for chasing the famous WSM seaside donkeys and terrorising a school party of 5-year-old infants on their first ever seaside outing. Oh well, at least he keeps the Limo in good shape and cooks a fine Beef Stroganoff with Solyanka Soup. So, 'Job's a Good-un'! - unless he gets into more trouble with the Old Bill 
Wishing all of You Lot a peaceful weekend, wherever you are. And try to remember: try to Keep Positive Hope and Faith on a gruelling PMR GCA Journey that, for many of Us Lot, Will (probably) Get Better eventually. And.. having a Smile or two along the way must be a good thing, therapeutically at least?
And, Finally: DON'T MESS AROUND WITH / FORGET TO TAKE YOUR PREDS!!! (unlike someone here who shall be nameless...)
'Uncle' MB 
P.s; For Newbies: PMR Survivor, Dx early 2015 aged 57, started 30mgpd Pred, Helter Skelter tapering Journey, many ups and downs, but 'getting there' now at 2mgpd Pred +/- and coming out of the long PMR Tunnel. Phew..!
P.p.s: the photo is from when I appeared at a Trainers' Conference in Kiev, Ukraine a few years ago. Great Fun - and links to 'Tedski'...
Ah yes! DF 1: soraya 0 as well 😴
Second week at 7mg, think I’m entering the scary 🕷🕸Adrenal Zone 👻 It’s hard to distinguish PMR from what might be sleepy adrenals, but the nausea and rather rapid gut are new to me, so thinking adrenals. And SLEEP!!! Can’t get enough. But then again I’ve done too much this week, so today was set aside for reading and snoozing. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
Part of me thinks UP the dose. Part of me thinks, I’ve got to cross this bridge sometime. Dilemmas and conundrums.
Ah ha Soraya!
Yep, from what I've learned here, the 7mgpd threshold is notoriously difficult to cross - a bit like crossing a very loooong and wobbly one? I know from experience.
I'm sure you've hit the nail on the head - additional, weird (?) symptoms as the adrenals get hopefully their act together and adjust to the reducing Preds after a long lay-off. And, as you say, feeling 'better' and doing more puts the whole mechanism under a bit of strain.
As for adjusting the dose +/- ? This seems to be the perpetual 64-Dollar question (unless you have GCA - in which case, Caution prevails). And, as usual, the forum is a good place to get feedback and opinions..
Dilemmas and Conundrums with PMR and Pred tapering... don't tell me about it!
MB
the advice i followed which really worked for me was to drop very slowly and by no more than 10%. So for you i would drop by .5% and keep on that dose for six weeks. It’s not a race and slowly is best!!! Fool the adrenals!!!
I agree, Sheribrim - DSNS (or its equivalents) is the usually recommended tapering method and it works for many of Us Lot (even though I am known to break the Rules occasionally!).
That said, we all have greatly differing health contexts, so I think it's a matter of personal judgment. Not sure about the popular idea of 'fooling' the adrenals though - it might give some of us a false sense of 'control' over them...? Mmmm...!
Either way, best wishes and thanks for your input. To be continued...
MB
I agree with you about ‘fooling’ the adrenals. One requires some negative feedback < Oh! Hang on a minute chaps, we seem a bit low on cortisol, can someone knit some extra supplies? > kind of thing. And for that there’s surely no alternative than to drop the pred dose a bit, and providing no PMR ugliness ensues.....
This applies more to me just entering the Adrenal Zone from the top, but you Mark are surely at the tail end and your adrenals must be doing SOMETHING, even if stuttering and a bit work-shy?
“Providing no PMR ugliness ensues....”
Ah well, this morning there was definite stiffness in my thighs 😧 despite an ultra lazy day yesterday. I can have adrenal stuff and a nudge from PMR at the same time I guess? So 10mg today, plan 9 tomorrow, then stick at 8 awhile until.....I try again to 7.