Symptoms related to PMR?

[Buzybe]

I am now down to 6mg of prednisolone having started on 15mg July 2020 when diagnosed with PMR. (1 set back a few months ago and on 10mgs for 3 days)

The last few days I have been experiencing dizzy spells, cold sweats, and nausea. I woke up this morning feeling really unwell.

The dizzy spells and sweats appeared a little better but I still feel nauseas, and considered not taking my steroids just in case They made me physically sick.

After some consideration I took the steroids and just ate a banana.

I would appreciate any views of similar symptoms, as I was concerned maybe I might be having a slight heart attack.

[Joanbill13]

I am feeling much the same as you and in the same place dose wise. Feel very light headed and very tired. I am hoping this is just dose related and will pass as body gets used to 6mg

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sounds more likely to be Adrenals struggling....all are symptoms of that...but did you have pains any as well?

Obviously if you are thinking heart attack then you need immediate attention....

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Wobbly adrenal function I'd suggest. BUT, if you think heart attack, don't spend time asking us, call 999.

[SheffieldJane]

this sounds to me like your body struggling for Cortisol. You probably know that you have dipped below the level where Pred is supplying all the requirements for your Adrenal system and now you are having to produce your own. Some people seem to pass through this stage with little more than fatigue. I guess we are all different in our absorption rates etc. I would talk to your doctor. It may be useful to have the input of an Endocrinologist at this stage.I also wondered about your blood sugar. In any case, get it checked out.

[Songbird69]

I had all your symptoms at one point - after having to increase my steroids substantially- and reducing over a number of days. Positively scary. I am positive that mine was adrenal insufficiency and it did sort itself out, but I had to make a slower reduction than the rheumatologist advised.

[piglette]

When I got to that dose I felt terrible, no particular PMR pain, but extremely tired and general feeling rough. I think it was my adrenal glands.

[autumnlass]

Poor you Piglette 😕... Did you continue at that dose, or did you increase the Pred dose for a while... in case this happens to me. Am sorry for the poor folk who are having these symptoms. 😕

[Buzybe in reply to autumnlass]

Thank you all for your advice

[Hosers2]

It’s me, Hosers2, with a reminder that statins (for high cholesterol) can possibly cause exactly the same symptoms as PMR for some people. So if you have PMR, I would seriously consider eliminating any statin drugs from your daily routine to see if you are one of those people who cannot tolerate statins.

[Bcol in reply to Hosers2]

Can I just say here that statins CAN/may cause similar/same symptoms as PMR and NOT do. I and many others have been on statins for many years with no problems.

[Hosers2 in reply to Bcol]

Sure, you can say “can/may”. Question: You say you have been on statins for many years with no problems. Do you have PMR?

[Bcol in reply to Hosers2]

Yes I do, and I was on statins for many years before PMR reared it's interesting head and I will stick with my last post. Statins may possibly contribute, even be the final tipping point that brings on PMR in some people but I know many people who take statins, and have done for many years, that do not have PMR my OH is one of them. Your statement in its present form is just not true. Change cause to can and no problem.

[Hosers2 in reply to Bcol]

I took Simvastatin for three years (2013-2015). Over that three year period, I developed right rotator cuff problems and was suggested for surgery. It then went away, only to re-appear in my left shoulder.. Surgery was recommended again. Then I ended up with pain and stiffness in my wrists and fingers. Carpal tunnel surgery was to be the solution. When I found I could not get up off the grass at a family function, because my hips wouldn’t let me. . . .guess what? The orthopedist suggested I possibly needed hip replacement(s). In late 2015, I was investigating all of the blogs relating to my symptoms and corresponding drugs. Of course, the Simvastatin site comments only contained praise and rated five stars. But I found a site, where men my age complained of the same problems I was experiencing.

I immediately ceased taking any statins and, after three years of pain and stiffness, I finally found health and wellness.

It was five years later when every one of the conditions reared their ugly head and I found myself not even able to roll over in bed. PMR diagnosed.

Sorry, if you want to nitpick my wording. But people need to be warned about the evils of useless statin drugs. BTW, Simvastatin reduced my bad LDL reading (over the three year period) from 240 to 235.

[Bcol in reply to Hosers2]

I know all of that, I've read all your posts over time, but it changes nothing. The statins affected you in this way but you cannot interpolate from that that they affect everyone the same way, they don't. Statins are not useless for everyone, and some may work better than others. You are only talking about Simvastatin which didn't work for you, it didn't work for me either but it does work for others. As far as I know you didn't stop Simvastatin and try one of the other alternatives, so don't condemn a group of drugs without the appropriate knowledge. I take Rosuvastatin which works fine for me. On a forum like this it is important to be factual.

[Hosers2 in reply to Bcol]

I reworded my original post, so there is no misunderstanding. I think between that, and our other comments, those people to whom I was directing my comments, may consider their continual use of satins. Obviously, you don’t think Rosuvastatin is contributing, (or has contributed) to your long battle with PMR.

[Bcol in reply to Hosers2]

Thank you, I have no problem with the reworded post and no, I am 100% certain that Rosuvastatin has nothing whatsoever to do with my PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hosers2]

Unfortunately, very few people will SEE that reworded post - nor this discussion which is very relevant to anyone requiring statins.

[Jackie_boy]

I had the same sort of symptoms at 6mg, quite frightening. I read on this site and decided to go back to the dose where I had felt really well, which was 7mg and after a few days at that dose felt much better. My consultant rang me yesterday and when I described what happened he said that his rule of thumb with steroid reduction was to spread the reduction over the same period that you’ve been on them - in my case that’s 9 years overall. I’m interested in what others on this site think of that?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jackie_boy]

That's for shorter periods of long term use I'd say. Did he realise how long you have been on pred?