Prednisolone

[Vernsy]

I am taking 30mg of Prednisolone. Hoping to drop down. My face is like a space hopper and I’m having hot flushes. I need knee replacements and all of a sudden the pain in them has got worse. Plus my hands are shaking like a Parkinson Victim. Will this cease?

[Soraya_PMR]

Have you been diagnosed with PMR or GCA Vernsy? That dose is a bit high for PMR and a bit low for GCA!

[SheffieldJane]

Hi Vernsey and welcome to the site. Can you tell us what you have been diagnosed with and when. This will help folk to respond more usefully. Side effects do lessen as we reduce gradually.

[Vernsy in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi sorry. Yes I had a sinus op. I have a swollen eye that is granulating and stopping the movement. Ethmoid sinus bulging into the orbit. I was put on 6 days of 6 tablets after leaving hospital. On the 7th day the pain was back raging. I saw my own GP and was giving more. 30mg daily. If I hadn’t gone back to GP about how I am feeling I don’t think I would have got them reduced. I’m taking 5 a day for 5 days now. The hospital said when u get your appointment to again we will look to reducing. Well that could take 4 months. Hospital and GP don’t seem to be talking to one another. I still haven’t got the biopsy results back from April the 9th. I’m bruising and everything just feels swollen especially my legs and ankles. I’m out of breath and shaking really bad. I feel anxious and this just isn’t me. help

[SheffieldJane in reply to Vernsy]

I am so sorry! Your symptoms sound horrible and frightening. Do you have someone who can chase your biopsy results for you? It is hard to fight your own corner when you feel so ill and anxious. You do need to be under pretty regular medical care while you go through this episode though. Somehow you must persist. Your GP does seem to be trying to alleviate your symptoms, back you must go.

[Hidden]

Vernsy, Welcome 🌷

Have you just started on Prednisolone & what is your diagnosis?

I’ve been on 30mg for a major flare but for a very short time, so l know how you feel.

Please let us have some more details & we can go from there.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Why are you on 30mg pred?

You can help the spacehopper effect by cutting your carbohydrate - all processed carbs (manufactured or baked stuff) in particular which will immediately cut sugar and salt in your diet, both of which should help the puffiness and help you stop gaining weight over the long term.

The shaking is probably the pred - and will get better as you lower the dose. Can't see why your knee pain is worse - although some people do suffer joint pain with pred, my daughter does, so it could be an unusual side effect.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

We can help you a bit with coping with it but you must go back to your GP and ask for help. We all take pred for a chronic condition which has nothing to do with sinuses.

4 months at 30mg is a long time - it needs to be clarified.

[Hidden]

Low carb...a start

healthline.com/nutrition/21...