Am at present down to 5mg Pred since April. Now find myself under increasing stress due to inlaws being sick/dying, us getting a new puppy next week and all that intails.
Today I started to feel really unwell with my usual symptoms for PMR, stiffness in hip and shoulder area. Also loads of 'hot flushes' and general feeling unwell.
Should I increase my dose and if so by how much?
Thanks.
You do need to discuss it with your doctor for 2 reasons. Yes, it is likely you may need to up the dose to manage the PMR symptoms because of the stress, but you also need to know your adrenal glands are able to produce the body's own corticosteroid, cortisol, which is needed in response to stress. You may need a synacthen test but at 5mg daily dose it is pretty borderline and adrenal function is likely still to be damped.
Dr. visit will have to wait till end of month as he is on holiday. But I shall make an appointment and see what he says. Thank you.
Ditto to PMRpro comments…not always just as simple as increasing dose….and not necessarily wise unless it is really a flare.
I can understand your thoughts, but this stress sounds as if it’s likely to be long term, so you need to manage it the best you can so you don’t end up in a yo-yo situation with medication ….that doesn’t help.
Yo Yo effect is exactly what I don't want. Feel I have done quite well up to now reducing and upsetting the applecart is no fun. Thank you.
A worrying time 
Increase pred or give more time?
To increase meds or not to increase meds that is the question.....
A stitch in time - 1000's of them ...
