How much exercise?

[Hughie1951]

I was diagnosed with PMR earlier this year. Initially 15 mg pred then straight to 10mg. Had a bit of a wobble so went back up to 15mg and have now got down to 10mg, reducing by 1mg every three weeks. I feel pretty good a nd still walk the dogs and ride my horse, although not quite as intensively as before. I really don’t want to be stupid. Am I pushing it? Really don’t want to go back to the state I was in before!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you feel OK the next day - it's not too much. As you get lower I'd advise having rest days to be sure you are still OK - although by rest day I don't mean do nothing, I mean use other muscle groups. And give it 4 weeks between drops maybe. The lower you get, the nearer you are to the dose you are looking for, the lowest dose that manages the symptoms as well as the starting dose did.

[Hughie1951 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. I’m just so thankful to be able to do what I can do. And so grateful to be feeling, relatively, OK. I’ll do as you suggest.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hughie1951]

If you don't have sore muscles, are not exhausted and can't recover - keep it up!!!!

[alvertta]

I have GCA. On 31 mg. I kayaked all summer 2 to 3 hours at a time If the exercise leaves you happy and not a mess, I think it’s ok. We need joy in our lives. Kayak gives me joy. I bet your horse gives you joy.

[LWNE]

I know we are all so different, but if it helps, ive continued my hiking regime, and have increased it significantly since lockdown - im doing about 30 miles a week, with at least one long hike of 12 miles or so, and the length of others depends on whether it is a working day - but I do a walk every single day. Im feeling great, tapering my Pred slowly, now going from 5 to 4.5 ( I was diagnosed 2 years ago)

Hope this helps!

[Constance13 in reply to LWNE]

Lucky you!😊 I feel happy if I manage to walk 15 minutes (but I have Polyarthritis as well as aggressive PMR.

[LWNE in reply to Constance13]

Yes, Im very grateful that I have not been as badly affected as some others, and you are so right, we must all do whatever exercise suits us as individuals. I do Pilates stretches every morning, and once a week, join a class - it used to be "live" but now on Zoom of course! The other reason I go for a walk everyday is to connect with others - I live alone, and it can be isolating during our current restrictions. But I am lucky to have lovely family nearby, and a wide circle of friends, particularly from my walking club, and this really helps! I hope you enjoy your own walks, and I wish you good health!

[Thelmarina in reply to LWNE]

You sound as though you are in a good place. Lovely to read 😀. I value all the shades of experience we get on this Forum 🌺

[Bignorhill]

I have kept up running through having PMR, I stopped taking Pred last December and know how wrecked my muscles feel from full usage. After lockdown my knee gave on me but as soon as the muscles got back to strength then the collapsing of the knee stopped.

As I feel the full effect due to not taking Prednisolone, I suffer aches and pains but it does seem there are so many shoulder muscles that have affected by PMR that they need exercise to get back into shape.

I prefer at the moment to know what my body is feeling rather then hiding it with Pred just a personal choice.

[tangocharlie]

Reducing by 1mg every 3 weeks is very fast, especially if you haven't had PMR very long. Generally slower tapers seem to work best, there are many examples on here ranging from DSNS to alternate days old and new dose going down by 0.5 at a time rather than 1. You don't want to risk a flare by rushing it.