Need advice diagnosed PMR 4months ago. Currently feeling ill. Tired lethargic no energy started on 20 mg prednisolone now on 10 mg daily3

[Muses]

Diagnosed PMR 4 months ago. Started on 20mgs now down 10mgs prednisolone. Currently feeling not well tired irritable no interest in anything lethargic. Now developed a have a large swelling just below my neck.

[jinasc]

Re: the swelling - you need to see your Medics asap. Never put everything down to PMR.

Are you still in pain or has it levelled off?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As advised you need to see doctor, but other than the lump, I would say PMR -wise you have reduced too quickly so subsequently are not taking enough Pred.

Once on medication you are not relentless reducing to zero, you are trying to find the LOWEST dose that gives you the same relief that your starting dose did.

How have you reduced, and at what dose did these feelings start - same time as lump appeared or not?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Was your doctor sure it is PMR - not possibly a thyroid problem? Although some people do find they develop swelling above their collarbones because of higher doses of pred. But it needs checking out.

If it is really PMR then, like DL, I'd say you have reduced far too fast and are at too low a dose for the current disease activity. I have just reduced my pred dose to have a PET-CT scan which is affected by being on too much pred. I was still almost OK at 10mg, below I became steadily more fatigues and lethargic, falling asleep in the mid afternoon, something I have never had a problem with since the days of untreated PMR.

[Blearyeyed]

You need the Doctor asap as everyone is saying .

Even if you have PMR and Steroid side effects the swelling in your neck suggests that many of your issues could be related to your thyroid function.

You need an examination and full thyroid panel plus a parathyroid test as soon as possible.

Thyroid issues could have been present before your diagnosis or you could have had the side effect of thyroid changes from your use of steroids.

Tell them about the swelling and your steroids first on the phone so they realise that your need is urgent.