Any suggestions to help ease pls

[Sasol]

Morning I’ve been struggling with flare for good few weeks upped pred am stress but get cold shivers at night struggle sleep turning or trying

[SnazzyD]

Hello there, sounds like you’re suffering! Could you help these good people here and say a bit about what your dosing has been over the last 6 months or so and also what your symptoms have been like along the way. Also, can you say what kind of stress you’re having, if it doesn’t give more detail than you’re happy with?

[Sasol in reply to SnazzyD]

Sorry I came away on holiday to release some stress as look after mom two and half years within the first few weeks of being holidays my family member whom I visiting has had some bad med scares between losing pets so it just started me off I think as I was doing almost down to the one msg pred then one day in off but then I noticed things just flaring up took bit of time as was stressing over other things so I upped to two msg I been here nearly three months as have to keep cancelling first due to COVID scare but didn’t have then my sis has hosp problem came home was rushed back and had heart attack was due to come back this week but temp spike and blood clot so I needed to extend to be here for her I tried two then 3 mg but the other day I read five is good try if flare so I’ve been on five for four days now the cold shivers are awful as I’m struggling to sleep in top of it so that doesn’t help much but I have taken sertaline 50mg today as I had that given for stress before I feel low so thought that might help shoulders and neck ribs are so sore I can hardly get out of bed in Morn but I must and I do start the day dhower etc and don’t over do stuff do you think I should up press by more ? Pain can lead to low mood and that just doesn’t help so yes sorry I’ve just had as much as can handle by today thx for your care and concern kind regards

[SheffieldJane in reply to Sasol]

You certainly do sound overwhelmed by stress, I am so sorry. Not being able to turn over in bed is a definite red flag for a PMR flare. However, the cold shivers do not sound familiar and may indicate something else eg under active thyroid for instance, or side effects from meds, or a virus dragging on. I think that you need a raft of teststo get to the bottom of this. As SnazzyD says, let us have more details about your case so that we can try to advise. Go back to your doctors!

[SnazzyD in reply to Sasol]

You are on low doses so it is possible you are suffering from poor adrenal function. This can bring a feeling of fatigue, coldness and not being able to cope, as well as aches and pains. The worse your external stress is the more you need properly working adrenal glands. Being on higher doses of Pred previously can cause this problem until they start to work again. Your doc can test you for that. However, it also sounds like you are having a flare and need more Pred anyway. In any case, you need a good medical opinion.

[cycli in reply to Sasol]

all the advice needed given You wouldn't be a lawyer by any chance/ Never seen such a long sentence. I was out of breath reading it flares are a real pain but until mine is under control don't think I'm qualified to offer advice. Good luck Sasol

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you have PMR symptoms you are still not on enough pred to manage the inflammation. And at those low doses you may well not be on enough to manage the adrenal aspects of a high stress situation which can require quite a bit of corticosteroid.I think you really need to speak to your doctor though - it is such a complex situation.

[cycli]

Hard to tell. I'm on 10mg above where I flared and trying to reduce but if I drop below 22.5 for the early morning dose I feel gCA starting up and need the midday boost of 10mg. to take me through to the main dose. I want to try and get all the dose for early morning but it is getting there .

[cycli]

there's that littoral interpretation I tend towards being part German, The Irish side counters but the Jewish portion complicates things waiting for my Englishness to take control. gets confusing sometimes

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Having looked at previous posts, I think you are trying to rush through the whole PMR experience much too quickly.

Sorry, but you can’t rush it, it will go in its own time, so you have to learn to manage it, and you haven’t achieved that whether by reducing too quickly or stress factors outside your control - or more likely combination of both.

I can understand that steroids aren’t the best for you on a personal level, but your illness needs what it needs..simple as that. So you now need to think seriously about getting yourself back on track.

This post gives advice on flares, but you need to be realistic about the dose you last felt your PMR was under control and work from there.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

I would also add, that is sounds as if your adrenals are also struggling at the moment - so maybe have a read through this as well - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Plus, as others have said you probably do need a long discussion with your GP (however difficult that may be logistically).

[Sanekate]

Short term relief = good old hot water bottle: helps with shivers and stress