Don't know if its the tapering down off Pred or flu symptoms.

[Dappa]

Hi everyone,

I have PMR and have now tapered down to 5 mgs of Pred and have been on this amount now for a fortnight. I ache all over and I mean ache all over haha. Have a runny nose, my head hurts to touch and I'm depressed, just keep on getting upset. I keep thinking its the Pred but would I get a runny nose and mucus symptoms with the pred. So very down at the minute.

Thanks everyone.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I realise it is hard to face up to - but the obvious answer is to go back to the previous dose and see if you feel better, If you don't after a few days then you can go back down again. But the truth is, whichever it is, you probably need a bit more pred anyway.

[Dappa in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro,

Thank you for replying to my post. Yes been thinking about it and will go back to 6mgs tomorrow and see how I feel.

[SheffieldJane]

It really sounds like a cold virus. In my experience PMR Likes to join in when you have something acute. You could try an extra mg to see if it helps. Otherwise lots of fluids and lots of rest and paracetamol.

[Dappa in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi Sheffieldjane,

Thank you for replying to my post. It could very well be a cold virus, keep thinking that. I have never heard that you have mucus when tapering down haha. I will take 6mgs tomorrow and see how it goes.

[Sandy1947]

PMR definitely gets worse with a cold virus! I was on 1/2 mg Pred, got really sick with a cold and hacking cough, virus in my eye and my inflammation markers were raised. I went back to 1 mg Pred for 2 weeks, the cold and eye improved and today I am trying to decrease.

Let us know how you feel on 6 mg

[Jackoh]

So difficult isn’t it to try to work out what is what with these conditions. As folk have said increase a little and see how you feel and give yourself a bit of TLC . Hope you will be feeling better soon xx

[Dappa]

Hi Jackoh,

Thanks for the reply. I have gone up 1mg today. Two weeks ago tapered down to 5mgs. So what I am going to do is do alternative days at 5 and 6 mgs. Then eventually go back to 5mgs. Yes, it is so hard to know if its the PMR or another illness. It's actually doing my head in to be honest. But got up this morning and felt shocking. So fatigued and light headed and last night I was shivering so much my teeth were chattering. Sounds funny really. If I didn't laugh I'd cry haha. Think I have the flu. So been in bed all day and I've decided to stay there for as long as it takes haha. Take care xx

[Hollyseden]

Hi Dappa Just catching up on this. How did you get on with the increase and did your 'lurgy' improve? Hope so 🤞

[Dappa in reply to Hollyseden]

Thank you Hollyseden I am feeling so much better. Went up a mg back to 6. Everything and everywhere feels better haha. Try 5 mgs again in a few weeks. Now just got really dry flaky skin all over my body but got some Neutrogena body lotion and it seems to be working pretty well at min. There's always something. Never mind could be worse a lot worse. Hope you are doing alright. Take care

[Hollyseden in reply to Dappa]

I was at 4.5 and started with aches n pains. Was suggested I try extra 2 for a week to see if it helped. It did so I stayed there a couple of weeks and now trying to taper again by .5 This level does seem to be an awkward one. Slowly slowly chase that gorilla away. 🤞

[Hidden]

Hope you’re feeling better now Dappa?

[Dappa in reply to Hidden]

I am feeling a lot better thanks Mrs Nails. Hope everything is going good for you. Went back up to 6mgs and it worked wonders. Will try 5 mgs again in a few weeks. as I have said to Hollyseden I have now got dry flaky skin on my body. But got some different body lotion and it appears to be working. Think the Pred caused that. Oh the fun of taking Pred haha. It's hard to ever see an end to taking it. It'll happen though. Take care

[Hidden in reply to Dappa]

That’s good to hear Dappa, yes l think the Pred drys the skin & the winter contributes too.

It’s quite surprising what 1mg can do, maybe try going to 5.5mg next time & you may get away with it as that would be a lower % drop.

Best Wishes

MrsN 🌸