Two weeks ago I wrote of my super treatment from my GP , well as promised he has called me twice to review how I was on 30mg pred and after speaking to me yesterday has decided I need another week at the same dose and he will call me on Friday hopefully to try reducing , my question is , while I'm better , I find by about 5/6 o'clock I'm so tired all I want to do is sit , any advice would be greatly appreciated , virtual hugs to all x
Super GP update : Two weeks ago I wrote of my super... - PMRGCAuk
Super GP update
Hi
Good news on GP!
Is this a new phenomenon?
Are you sure you aren’t doing too much because you feel better in yourself - it’s very easy to do.
Perhaps a catnap after lunch would see you through. - fatigue is quite natural.
That is always my flop time and if there is anything wrong or I’ve over done it, that is the time I feel worst, with anything even before GCA. From the beginning at 60mg to about 1mg I have needed a nap and until about 5mg I needed a solid sleep every afternoon.
Hi Rosbud
What a Wonderful GP 🌟
Are you taking a Rest/Nap in the afternoon, even 30mins on the bed with a book or nice music can be very reviving.
Hope you’re not trying to do to much, you have to let the Pred mop up the inflammation.
Kind Regards
MrsN 🌸
He sounds wonderful. 🌸
I really can't thank all of the members of this site you are all so giving of your time and knowledge and I know I for one wouldn't have coped through the last 2/3 years without being able to read your wise words xx
Roesbud Dear (what a lovely name!)
We all struggle with the fatigue which is such a part of PMR. I remember after I was first diagnosed ( 3 years ago)and on 25 mgs, being exhausted around 6 pm and sleeping on the couch until I tottered off to bed around 9 pm.
As others have said, napping is vital to your management and so long as you are not working it's vital you schedule one, or even two, in. I ALWAYS have a nap around 2 pm, with a book to start off with and then a good twenty to thirty minutes and wake very refreshed.
Try to stay positive and accept PMR and its limitations, eat a healthy diet and get some gentle exercise (I do aqua 2 or 3 times a week plus a sauna which is said to be good for PMR)
All the very best and don't forget to smell the roses!!!
I find that no matter the dose of prednisone it makes me dizzy and very fatigued, so much I sleep for 2 hours after taking it...oh the joys of it all !
When do you take it? A few people found that switching the timing to night time gave them an excellent night's sleep!
I take it between 7-8 o'clock and was sleeping really well when on my 8.5mg dose for pmr but since taking the 30 mg haven't slept so well but will persevere as hope fully will reduce this week , GO thinks he's going to reduce me by 2.5 A week , so I'll see how it goes , thank you for all your advice X
Hi Rosebud I also have a good GP too. Was just wondering why your GP didn't refer you onto your local GCA pathway as recommended by the current guidelines , particularly if he suspects TA.
Mainly because in many places they don't exist. They only work if GPs have been trained to use them - they have to recognise the criteria - and small hospitals can't have the set-up so it may be some distance to one.
He decided that if he could see A result with treating me himself it would be better for me but did tell me in no uncertain terms that if anything happened , increase in symptoms etc to go straight to A&E , so I agreed to be sensible ,I think I was incredibly lucky that I must have been in the very early stages of TA and his actions have worked xx
Thank goodness. Whenever I see your post title I see super doc with a Cape flying through the sky. 😁
GCA is like PMR though - not something you take a dose of pred for and reduce it rapidly again. The underlying cause of GCA can be active for some months at least though it does tend to be for a shorter time than PMR.
Thank you for this , I will keep that in mind and I'm sure super doc will let me reduce very gradually xx
It's the idea of reducing every week that is worst I think - you have no idea where you passed the right dose for now as it takes some days to realise.
Yes 5pm always seems the worst time for me, although I do rest in the afternoon ( sometimes fall asleep) About 6.30 it tends to get better.