Steroid or PMR or something else ?

[Decsgran]

I reduced to 9mg of pred just over a week ago. When I get up in morning I feel fine but by the afternoon I have a really muzzy, swimmy head which gets worse when I stand up after sitting down. By evening it’s gone! BP is ok. Is it tapering side effects, or PMR or something else - sugar levels maybe?

[SheffieldJane]

I get like that in the afternoon too Decsgran. It is my cue to go to bed under a blanket and sleep for exactly 90 minutes, not sure why 90 minutes but it always is. I wake up restored and get an evening. We are ill and we run out of steam. Look after yourself, don’t try to power through.

[Cosmos22Marigold]

I am sure SJ is so right. I tried to plough through the same as you are probably doing and i get the same symptoms as you. I'm struggling as i find it hard to sit still. We really have to and then you feel better. It is your body telling you so give it a try and rest up. As Jane says. We are ill.

[Decsgran]

Thank you both. You’ve put my mind at rest! The trouble is my husband really doesn’t understand even though I’ve given him stuff to read about it . He had encephalitis in 2015 and it has left him with some short term memory loss but also his understanding of some things. I think he sees that I look ok therefore I am!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It IS possible that your body is noticing the reduction in dose - some people start to feel the low pred and adrenal function playing catch-up sooner than others. Although the usual mantra is that it is from 8mg, not everyone absorbs as much pred as others - it can be as little as half of the oral dose - so for a few it happens at 10mg and less.

[Maudie19]

I have that problem with my husband - he started with Altzheimer's about two years ago and he thinks I am fine!!

[Grannyasbo]

Hi Decsgran. I am pretty new to this. Started 15mg pred 2 weeks ago. Seems to be working as pain trend reducing and life getting easier. I do get what I call a tired headache (more discomfort than pain and feels like I am very tired) from mid day ish most days that lasts to evening that then goes away like yours. The evenings are my best time now. I wondered if it’s pred side effects or just PMR? Either way it’s not that much fun. So empathise with you. Not sure if this is much help as we are all different in how our PMR responses to meds go. Wishing you luck with your tapering, take it easy. Best wishes

[Humphreydonk]

I'm in exactly same place ! I am tapering and am on 8mg this week ( down from 25mg initially back in January with reasonable progress until now.)But I felt dreadful today, nauseous and dizzy, and am worrying it may be more serious than just side effects., e.g is this adrenal insufficiency ? Then I tried to reassure myself that it is probably just tapering. Laid on bed for an hour or so this afternoon and am OK this evening. Hope we can both get through this together.

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