Should I increase my Pred

[SRIXON]

Hi. As per previous notes PMR for 28 months, up and down with pred, down to 4 mg then raised to 10mg about 4 weeks ago. I am still not in a good place especially in a morning, aching arms, shoulders niting picking up my small dog in a morning is nit easy, feels like i have a head cold, fatigue should I raise my Pred yet again. Col

[Hidden]

Hi col, you should have a chat with Dr to say you have symptoms and can you put it up again- unless you have that agreement of course! Because of the yo-yoing it might be harder to find the good dosage.

It sounds like it could be PMR, but wanted to ask if you have done anything with your arms like been driving more or pottering in the garden on fine days?

[SRIXON in reply to Hidden]

I do play golf although finding it very difficult at the moment, due to the fatigue plus other issues asscoiated with blood pressure on the high side thus morning 156/94, this is an ongoing issue where my medication is being revised on monthly basis which i do feel uneasy about.

My arms; difficult to explain, almost like a stabbing pain when I lift my little dog up. If I was a horse they would shoot me lol.

[Hidden in reply to SRIXON]

I often feel like that!

If it's a stabbing pain that could be your neck. Perhaps give golf a miss for a week or two to let things settle. You could still go for social aspects or even have a walk with your partners but not play. If this carries on you need to see Dr anyway. You may need physio and definitely need some warm up stretches for shoulders and neck pre and post golf.

[SRIXON in reply to Hidden]

Thanks x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Col,

Looking at your previous posts you seem to have been rollercoasting with your dose since the start. I guess some of this might be because you are being pressurised into reducing quickly because of your diabetes and now high BP.

I think you need to talk to your GP and maybe ask for a referral to Rheumy if GP is not capable of treating - not sure how easy that is where you live. But you do need to get this sorted - a sensible tapering plan once you have things settled is required. To my mind you’ve never really got to grips with things - and you need to.

[SRIXON in reply to DorsetLady]

Agreed

[SheffieldJane]

There are an awful lot of colds about that linger. My Rheumatologist told me not to increase, even though it’s kind of made everything worse. I would behave like an invalid and nurse your cold and leave your dear little dog, unpicked up for now. Look out for a proper flare though and then It’s back to the drawing board I’m afraid.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I really think that you need to look realistically at what you are doing - yes, I know you like your golf but maybe it is just that bit too much physically while struggling to get the inflammation under control. A bit extra rest with just gentle walks might be enough to let your poor muscles get a chance to heal.

And yoyoing the dose as you have been just creates extra problems, many people find it increasingly difficult to get things under control when they overshoot the dose that is enough and let in a flare.

[SRIXON]

Thanks All for your input. It is difficult, the pain is not good but can deal with it, its the fatigue, oain in arms and leg weakness which gets me down.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SRIXON]

Fatigue isn't improved by a higher dose of pred, except possibly for being combatted by the euphoria some people experience on pred. That must be managed by you, by pacing and resting and finding an amount of gentle exercise that doesn't leave you feeling worse. It can be done when you are careful but you need to understand that this may be a lifestyle change you have to get your head around.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk......

[Waterfeature]

Hi, not sure you need to up your dose. I’ve tapered from 12mg now down to 5. Over a period of 8 months, I do get aches and pains every morning but that is the pattern of polymyalgia. I take my Pred. first thing and the pain goes within the hour.

If you have the pains during the day then maybe it would be wise to seek medical advice.

Good luck

[petros31 in reply to Waterfeature]

Hello Waterfeature,

Why take pred in the morning which gives daily pain. I am in year 8, have now settled taking my 7.5mg pred when I go to bed around midnight, and am painfree. Used to take at 3 am, which is chemically ideal for the body, but returned to a more normal sleep pattern successfully. Otherwise paracetomol to keep pain-free, which is important.

[Waterfeature in reply to petros31]

I will give it a go, thanks will let you know how I get on