Return of symptoms

[Trulyscrumpious]

Hi, i’m new, glad to have found you all. I’m 82 and was diagnosed with PMR in July 2015. Gradually reduced to 5mg pred over a year ago but have got stuck there, which is depressing. I don’t think my family realise how fatigued I get. Two days ago I suddenly got return of painful upper arm when I reach out for something, as well as pain in my thighs. I read another entry which said symptoms can return if you are under stress. Sounds daft but i’m dreading a big double tooth extraction today, I always get painful dry socket. Could this be the cause ? I guess I’ll find out if it improves again!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My dental appointment this last week didn't help a lot!!

But you should perhaps discuss the possibility of your adrenal function not catching up with the pred reduction - at this level that would account for the fatigue. There is nothing wrong with being stuck at 5mg - I would be rolling out the barrel if I got there! All that matters is quality of life.

[Trulyscrumpious in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, i’d Never heard of adrenal levels so that’s really helpful. Also you make me feel better about being on 5mg.

[Hidden]

Hi i am sure that any stress can impact your body/mind so it could account for fatigue And pain. I have tried to get from my current 6mg to 5mg twice and had to come back up to 6mg. The rheumy said to stay at 6mg and i am more than happy to take what us effectively a "natural" dose. There is no point ignoring a familiar pain as i found out myself.

[Trulyscrumpious in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for responding. It’s encouraging to get such great support. May consider going up to 6mg for a bit. J

[Soraya_PMR]

It’s not daft, we all have our fears, and I’m sure the memory of dry sockets is enough to stress you.

If an increase to say 6mg helps you over this hump then give yourself some pain free quality of life. You may get back to 5mg again in time when this stress is removed from the equation.

I think families simply can’t understand the fatigue. My hubby does his best, he accepts when I say I just have to lie down before I fall down. But he’s seen me work full time during extreme pain and stress before, so he realises this is ‘different’. My kids though don’t really get it, they just want mum to be the mum they’ve always had. We don’t really help ourselves in this regard either do we? Always trying to help and support and be there for them.

Has your doctor ever suggested testing you to see if your adrenal glands could function again?

[Trulyscrumpious in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Thanks for such a lovely response. I think I’ll try 6 mg for a few days also ask my GP about adrenal levels. My two daughters are great and i’m so lucky to have them living near but I find myself apologising for being so limp. But it’s good to know this is so common.

[Thelmarina]

Hi - I would up the Pred to 8/10 msg a couple of days before your dental fun and games, and for a couple of days after. You can drop back to your normal dosage easily afterwards. This was advice I received after a brief spell in hospital. This will supply your body with the extra cortisone your adrenals would normally supply to meet stress and infection. Good luck!

[Trulyscrumpious]

Thanks so much. Good advice, and all four of you mention adrenal levels so i’ll Ask about that too.

[Soraya_PMR]

DorsetLady has a link to information which helps families. I’m not sure where it is, so have tagged DorsetLady, I’m sure she’ll oblige when she comes on line.

I feel limp at age 58, I’m sure you’re allowed to feel limp at 82!

[Hidden in reply to Soraya_PMR]

DL put this up the other day. Revised edition. Perhaps it should be pinned.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Poop

[Suet3942]

I had a tooth extracted in February. The surgeon told me to double my steroids on the day then go back to normal dose. All went well. Good luck. X