Spaced out

[Petcut]

Was diagnosed with Polymyalgia rheumatica 2weeks ago,I’m 73yrs old,I’m taking 15mg prednisolone daily but I’m totally spaced out,any suggestions to lessen the effect it’s driving me nuts

[HeronNS]

I see you were diagnosed two weeks ago - from your profile account. (You can edit the typo in your post by clicking on the "More" option.) Yes, you should expect the spaced out feeling to ease up. Make sure you're getting enough rest and taking in enough fluids. It is important not to rush the taper though, or you will undo all the good the current dose is making to reduce pain-causing inflammation. It is usual to be on the starting dose for about five or six weeks before starting to taper. Other than being a bit foggy-brained, are your symptoms being well relieved?

[Petcut in reply to HeronNS]

Yes no pain at all,thanks for your reply

[HeronNS in reply to Petcut]

Brilliant! Enjoy!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi, Just give your body a chance to get used to the Pred, and you be fine in a week or so, just take things easy in the meantime.....but more importantly as HeronNS asked has it addressed your symptoms?

[Petcut in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes it’s worked,no pain thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Petcut]

Good....that’s the aim....

The spaced out feeling is because you have much more cortisol in your body than normally produced....I always think it’s like a child overdosing on sugar at a birthday party .....too many fizzy drinks, cakes and ice cream (if that’s what the still have nowadays!) .....but it will settle.

[Petcut]

It’s not 2years but 2 weeks ha

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Just treat yourself as a poorly person for a few weeks - as your body gets used to its new diet of pred it should improve! And just because you feel more back to normal, DON'T go catching up on everything you haven't been able to do! The pred is only dealing with the inflammation and combating the pain and stiffness - the underlying autoimmune illness is still there chugging away in the background and that's a bit like having permanent flu ...

[Petcut in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for advice much appreciated even if the truth hurts

[herdysheep]

I can remember feeling quite weird when first on pred. It does ease. It all takes a bit of getting used to. New daily regime, resting more than active, learning to 'read' 'your body etc etc. Biggest and most important lesson is to take it slowly. I am one of those who only realised with hindsight! Good luck. Plenty of really helpful stuff on here.

[Petcut in reply to herdysheep]

Thanks for your advice it’s most heartening to have all the support given by everyone on here,I don’t feel quite so alone in all this confusion

[Jane424]

I started at 15 mg and like you was really spaced and afraid of falling. I hung in there and after 1 week reduced to 10; another week to 5. Still like a zombie. It was Xmas so I couldn't get my doctor. went to ER and they gave me a prescription for 1 mg. mg. but no better. My doctor said I obviously couldn't take prednisone and took me off. I noticed that for 4 days after coming off, I was still pain free. So, now the excess prednisone had cleared my system, I asked if I could try just 1 mg a day. She said it wouldn't work, but it did and I am maintaining on 1 mg. with little pain.

I had to clear all the prednisone out and then start at 1 mg. I am 80. Good luck.

[Petcut in reply to Jane424]

Thanks for sharing your experience,it’s good to know all the different things that people experience.