PMR GCA FIBRO

[Dream21]

Extreme fatigue is my worse symptom. I was feeling so horrible. I tried acupuncture, meditation/relaxation/deep diaphragmatic breathing , and stretching using 7 yoga stretches. It has helped with pain and given me a some more energy. I am retired and thought my stress was low, but doing this every morning I see how tight and tense my muscles are. I am teaching my muscles to relax more which helps. Stress is is a big trigger for me and increases my symptoms. I focus on keeping a relaxed state, keep my muscles stretched and relaxed and no longer multitask. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms? I went to swimming 3/4 miles 5 times a week to a short 20 minute walk once a week and some light errands. It has been a dramatic change in my lifestyle.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Fatigue is the only thing I really have a problem with - stiffness and pain became such a factor in the 5 years I wasn't on pred that I regard them as a minimal inconvenience. But fatigue - when my brain just switches off and all I can do is lie down and sleep is my bete noire. A recent flirt with methotrexate resulted in me feeling worse than I ever have due to PMR - so that'll be a no then!!!!

But fatigue IS a primary factor in autoimmune disorders - though I do find that a bit of exercise helps a lot. We normally walk for about 1/2 hour each day and I do miss it when it isn't an option due to weather or OH not being up to it. I know I should go out on my own but the other bad aspect of PMR for me is the lack of motivation.

[Tinkermore1941 in reply to PMRpro]

Fatigue was my biggest complaint after I was diagnosed and started on prednisone. Sleep didn’t even touch it. The fatigue for me, started lifting as I have tapered below 10 mg. I am currently on 6. Hopefully yours will respond the same.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Tinkermore1941]

When I recently got down to 7mg the fatigue was awful - I was wading through treacle...

[Longtimer]

I always say to people there may be answers for pain and stiffness....but nothing can treat fatigue....or not that I know of!....My d-in-law has never quite "got" PMR....but has recently had the deathly fatigue due to severe lack of iron and Vit D....she has completely changed her attitude to me....saying it`s nothing compared to tiredness!!…….

Even the resting becomes boring....if it doesn't solve it....I sympathise with you, just wish I could suggest something...….

[Dream21 in reply to Longtimer]

I agree. The exhaustion is unbearable at times.

[Louisepenygraig]

The fatigue has always been the biggest problem with me, I'm not able to do much at all as relatively small amounts of exercise seem to knock me out. I feel it's a vicious circle where the less I do the less I'm able to do but whenever I try to increase exercise even fairly gently I seem to end up overdoing it

[Longtimer in reply to Louisepenygraig]

Same here.......😟

[Louisepenygraig in reply to Longtimer]

Glad I'm not the only one!

[Dream21 in reply to Louisepenygraig]

That sounds exactly what I experience. It is for me the hardest part to deal with.

[Sandradsn]

I get awful fatigue but not everyday.Yesterday was a DF day ,I felt like a zombie and my head was full of cotton wool.I could of slept standing up but we were out so kept on going!.I didn't sleep that well last night though😣

[Dream21 in reply to Sandradsn]

That foggy brain is hard to explain to others. I feel like a dingbat when it happens...forgetful, scattered, ...

[joyce69]

Fatigue is my top symptom too. Beats me how I can be so exhausted and never, ever sleep well!

[Longtimer in reply to joyce69]

Yes, I agree....I am exhausted just sitting here deciding to go and lie down!...when I do walk down the garden (my safe place) because of needing to move my muscles...my balance is terrible....thinking of using a stick....where does it end?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Longtimer]

Lots of people have found using a pair of walking poles helps their balance a lot - and once they have the confidence to walk more as a result their balance improves. In some areas there are Nordic walking courses for the elderly - so not so sporty - and at one in the NE of England one lady who needed a zimmer to get about was able to walk using poles and after about 6 months didn't need the zimmer at all.

[Longtimer in reply to PMRpro]

I will look into that thank you...

[Longtimer in reply to PMRpro]

Just a thought...with all this extra dizziness and balance,dry mouth etc, do you thinking doctor would agree to an adrenal test of any sort of I'm at 9mg?......thank you....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Longtimer]

They might - though I doubt it somehow.

[Dream21 in reply to PMRpro]

It was what is working for me. I did not ask you to try it. A counselor I saw who has Multiple Sclerosis said she does the same throughout the day. Gentle stretching and diaphragm breathing. She did 3 deep breaths and gentle stretching throughout the day. It helped me get off the couch where I sat for 2 months, so for me at has helped ease some symptoms. It is not a miraculous cure.

[Dream21 in reply to Dream21]

Sorry I wrote that. I thought you were responding to my post. When I looked back, you were responding to something else. My apologies. Sorry.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dream21]

That's fine - I was wracking my brain trying to work out what I had said.

[Dream21 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you. I have always have appreciated your insights. I will be more careful next time.

[Dream21 in reply to Longtimer]

I am so sorry your balance is off and you have extreme tiredness. It can be very difficult to deal with constant exhaustion.