My symptoms after upping my prednisone over six days.

[singingloud]

Today is my sixth day on 15 mg of prednisone. It was 10 mg before these six days. The second day was a great improvement of my flare but today I feel I’ve gone backwards and my pain is at an all time high. For three nights I’ve had to take Tylenol PM to help me sleep 7 1/2 hours.

I’m also in a vacation with my husband and we finally have one day where we are sitting still to rest. We have been at an altitude between 6000ft to 8800 ft above sea level. Could this be contributing to my pain? I feel I can hardly move.

Any suggestions?

Thanks so much.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I would say you have been pushing yourself too much during your vacation.

Maybe a few days at home and a good rest will give a better outcome. Stay on the increased dose for another week - and see how it goes.

[Jocelyn344 in reply to DorsetLady]

Agree, you cannot do what you did before

[PMRpro Ambassador]

"we finally have one day where we are sitting still to rest. "

That is almost certainly the answer to your problem. You have a new normal which you have to learn to adjust to. The pred is not a means of getting on and doing what you did before - your muscles and soft tissues are still being attacked by the underlying autoimmune disorder which leaves them intolerant of acute exercise. They are already probably suffering fro a shortage of oxygen due to poor blood flow because of the inflammation. Asking them to come out and play at altitudes above 6000ft/1800m is really pushing your luck and I wouldn't have enjoyed much time at 8800ft/2700m before PMR!

[SnazzyD]

Holidays can be very hard on the body. Just because it is a welcome break and very enjoyable, doesn’t mean it’s ok. My normal holiday used to be hiking in all conditions. Now even a cruise doing nothing most days can be a push. Altitude is dreadfully stressful on the body if that isn’t your normal living environment.

[HeronNS]

What the others said. You know, since covid I have hardly seen my friends. The first time was on a friend's deck and when I came home I was completely wiped! I think I kept falling asleep. The second time, sitting in someone's garden, same story. So I can only imagine how you must be feeling. Be kind to yourself. PMR, I learned, was a gift in a way, because I could now stop and smell the roses and not feel guilty. I know when you're away the temptation is always to cram as much in as possible but it seems your body is protesting. Normally I would never advise this, but for the rest of your holiday, whenever you can cut a corner, do so. Take the elevator, even if you usually walk. Have a nap instead of a drink and chat. Sit and enjoy instead of walking more. That kind of thing. Don't deprive yourself, just go about things a slightly different way. I hope you have a good rest tonight and awaken refreshed tomorrow.

[singingloud]

We have five days to go before we are home. Every night in a new bed and breakfast. I’m sure the work of traveling every day has taken a toll on me.

I’m usually the big planner but I could have just as well stayed at our cottage for the ten days.

It’s been good to have time alone with my husband but it has taken more effort then in the past years before PMR.

Thanks for your reassurance.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to singingloud]

I think this is one of the hardest things we "oldies" have to communicate. Even travelling is exhausting, being the passenger takes it out of you, even having to do something to a fixed timetable is tiring.

It doesn't mean you can't do things - but you have to do them differently. When we have our trips to the UK my husband will not stay anywhere for more than 3 nights - I have done almost all the driving for a few years - simply because I am more comfortable driving than as the passenger, but it is also tiring and I prefer to do just a few hours and stop more often but take longer for the entire expedition. W don't have to be be home for a particular day any more - why be in such a hurry. In future he may start to understand my complaints - because now he will find the travelling too much. It was what I liked about the camper van - one lot of packing and unpacking!

[Louisa1840]

Pacing ourselves is one of the most important things we have to learn to do.

E.G Today I was to go to the pool where I usually have a sauna, do aqua aerobics for half an hour and sometimes follow this with a spa. This afternoon there was the meditation group I lead called "Rockpool". Then I looked in the diary and there was a haircut at 12.15.

TOO MUCH!

I didn't go to the pool and it was the right choice. I had a thirty minute rest as usual after lunch and I am okay.

[singingloud]

Thanks to all for your advice. This new way of living is a challenge but I’ll do my best to take better care of myself.