Prednisone

[Uglow]

Prednisone gas now become my friend. When I first took it within 6 hours I was reborn well sort of! But the pain I was in was excruciating I couldn’t work out what was going on. I thought I was going to kick the bucket as my body felt like it was totally failing. I never really heard of PMR. I’m now tapering slowly it really don’t want to go back to day one. No one likes drugs but I’d rather be able to live some kind of normal life. So Iv made friends with pred for now.

[SheffieldJane]

I recognise that feeling. Take it steady.

[yogabonnie]

Prednisone still my very good friend. And I'm coming up on 4 years. 1 year set back from a flare and now treading very very lightly now that I am back down to 3mg. it is a slow process and I have had side effects but I hate to think of my state without prednisone!! Carry on! I do everything I can to protect my bones, exercise mostly and weights. (light!) and take antacids for the heart burn... but thankful everyday for the prednisone!good luck to you.

[Uglow in reply to yogabonnie]

Thank you it’s nice when people get you. Take care

[yorkieme]

Good for you, I'm pleased to read your comment because unlike you I kicked and screamed and simply lacked the sense to realise that it was a fight that I could never win.My journey is 20 months on and there are occasions even now when I fail to recognise that my illness will only allow me to do certain things for now. ( even with the enormous help from those who post such good advice on here,) So then I pay the price.

The main issue for me is the belief that I can still do what I used to do, physically, but then comes the day of reckoning and the acceptance that I can't. (until the next time of course,)

So ! Well done you.

[Uglow in reply to yorkieme]

Oh believe me I still think ok super women and pay the price. I argue with poly everyday it don’t blooming listen. So o have to do deals with it. But the sod always wins. It’s one of the most difficult things to accept that you cannot to what you did. The pain is a stark reminder. I’m currently going on a March with a banner. 😂get poly out get poly out I don’t think it’s listening tho. 😂✅✅

[Coriander000 in reply to yorkieme]

I loved playing tennis and dream about getting back to it but I don’t think it’s ever going to happen as I’ve been on prednisone for 5 years now (down to 1.5 mg) but my body isn’t happy with this low dose and objects if I do anything different. Also I just can’t get rid of the extra weight gain - any tips anyone? Thank you 🙏🏻

[yorkieme in reply to Coriander000]

Good morning and thank you for the reply.With regards to tennis and more intense activity it may take longer than you wish but never say never,you may well get a decent percentage back but it all takes time. Just as you say this terrible disease takes it's toll and for a while restricts what we can/cannot do.

I reached 171/2 st after allowing the steroids a free run for well over a year,my weight increased from just under 13st to 171/2st.Eventually I tried to lose weight and got down to 16st which is where I am now. I have decided to join Slimming World. (prior to Covid restrictions I was a member of weightwatchers,)

Many people on here recommend a low carb' diet as it seems to work for them. I think the problem is that as with me if you allow the steroid impact to increase your weight it becomes difficult to lose it,but not impossible.

I am learning the hard way that everything I do now I do at a slower pace and with a lot more patience.

Good luck getting back to tennis however limited,you can and will do it much the same as losing weight,it takes time and patience and determination. Take care.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Coriander000]

Weight gain with pred - cut your carbs drastically, especially processed foods and added sugar. Lots of discussion on the forum about that and personal stories.

Are you still under the same GP? I think you have probably overshot the aim: the lowest effective dose. As for getting back to tennis - I don't know how old you are but Skinnyjonny climbed Annapurna IV after PMR:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Coriander000 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your response - I have tried reducing carbs - I really miss options for breakfast with low carbs - I’m just feeling a bit sorry for myself as I’m not very happy with the person I have become through polymialgia - think I’m just having an off day 🤞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Coriander000]

That is something Ive heard others say - but I just don't understand as low carb breakfasts are legion! But then, I don't particularly like toast and cereal. That is a very anglo-saxon breakfast - look at the breakfast bar of a good international hotel - LOADS of low carb options. And a quick google helps too.

[Coriander000 in reply to PMRpro]

I’m starting today (again🤣) !!! Thank you x

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Well done - it is a very important part o the PMR journey