After starting prednisolone 15 mg 2 weeks ago I am pleased to be NEW me or the old me. No (almost) pain, lost of muscle strength and energy.
I am wondering though about fatigue/brain fog. It is gone. Is that something you all have experienced?
BR Nete
That's good to hear!
I had brain fog with PMR - I can remember having to read things several times and it still not registering. Once I started on pred it improved steadily - can't remember how long it took but I'd had PMMR for 5 years before that.
The fatigue is probably related to the inflammation so getting rid of that will help - but some people get this energy boost from higher doses of pred. What constitutes higher doses varies from person to person - I don't think I have ever experienced it at 15-20mg but I think a lot of people do (quite jealous really!). Of course the energy boost can be rather a false friend - it can induce you to overdo things and then comes payback!
Yes, slightly manic 
I polished all my sons windues today, so my husband has sat me down now.How long do I stay on 15 mg in your opinion?
At least 3 weeks, and only reduce then if you really can't feel anything PMR-ish!
By the sound of things your husband may have to tie you to that chair!! I really struggle with windows - the arm action is poison! Plan tomorrow to be a rest day - although I do hope you don't suffer for your enthusiasm!!!
Having just read your reply below - NO HEROICS with reducing! 1mg at a time!!!
Windows do for my shoulder big time -not GCA but OA!
Overdid pruning a small conifer last weekend still struggling a week on! My fault I know, but these things seem a good idea at the time …especially when you live alone. Daren’t tell the kids -know what they’ll say! 😳
Yes! The Pred miracle. 🌈 However you are still ill. Prednisalone deals with the inflammation and as PMRPro says the disease is still” chugging away” underneath. So you really have to look after yourself and pace your activities - you are not back to normal, PMR will run its course and go into remission in its own time, this unfortunately, can take years. In the meantime we have to do all we can to mitigate the effects of steroid use. The easy weight gain is obvious and a low carb diet will help. Keep an eye on blood sugars as we can be prone to type 2 diabetes. Blood pressure can rise. It is useful to have your own blood pressure monitor at home. Have 6 monthly eye checks because of the danger of glaucoma, cataracts and even GCA. You should be prescribed calcium and vit D to guard against bone thinning. Request a bone density scan (DEXA)to see if you need further medication. Have a look at FAQs it is full of advice on managing our diseases. There are so called steroid sparing drugs to consider.
I don’t mean to rain on your parade, I know you feel great right now. I remember it well. The sooner we become proactive in managing PMR the better. Pay particular attention to slow tapering programmes ( FAQs). Good luck! Stick with us.
Thanks - I know. I was here a few years ago, but then the doctors (some) took away the diagnosis as I was too young (52) and had no elevated CRP. I am now back as there are no other explanation. It is difficult to not feel just well, but now comes reducing - this time as slow as I can. 
Oh Lord! 52 was not too young, we have plenty of people, even in their 40’s. I hope leaving it untreated hasn’t caused you extra trouble. I am glad you feel “ just well”. It’s all any of us want. Take it easy.
Well if the doctors are not allowed to diagnose people under 50 with PMR according to national Health Authorities - then it will become self-fulfilling prophecy....
Dear Jane
So today I came back from my appointment with my new general practitioner (family doctor). He agrees on the PMR diagnosis and treatment plan! So now I will be able to get all the checkups you mention above, and of course get prescriptions for pred. the next couple of years.
My doom laden response is 2 years is a very optimistic estimate repeated by some doctors. I wish it was true. I hope you have a smooth ride. Look after yourself!
SOOOOOO pleased! At last!!!!!! How long is it since it started now?
It is 3 years! It was the obvious diagnosis from the beginning, and all of the knowledge here on this site confirmed it, but still.... Anyway - ifI can be like this while getting better over the nexts years I will be so grateful, and I am lucky as I tolerate prednisolon well. I do have to buy new shoes again as I am down one size after 2 weeks in pred.
Welcome to the club I only have my own experience to relate to the initial miracle is simply due to the inflammation being masked by the steroid. You still have it and will be ill for some time to come. I felt great and overdid things I soon learnt that I had to go slow I gained 2 stone experienced low mood anxiety brain fog and lethargy.
My advice is to accept you are VERY ILL rest every couple of hours take short walks and rest as much as possible. You will develop thin skin and bruise easily taper slowly I took 10 months to get from 15 to zero I think I am still vulnerable to inflammation but I have been off pred for 11 months now and am gradually increasing my activity s I can manage three round of golf over three days but will need a day of rest on day four two years since diagnosis I would say I am back to 80 percent functioning. The message is go slow rest a lot resist overdoing it you are ill taper slowly you may never get back to " normal" but hopefully will get better. Best wishes.
Thanks - I do feel hungry mainly at lunch... and I am trying to pace myself. Did you got quickly to 10 mg as some say, and then slowly from there or how did you reduce?
I had açces to my daughter's friend who is a consultant and researcher into PMR she advised me to reduce after a month on 15 I dropped from 15 to zero in 10 months by about 1 mg 2 mg a month I relied on how I felt I did too much excercise sometimes causing fatigue looking back I would now reduce 1 a month and rest as much as possible. You will lose muscle mass and need to rebuild later once the inflammation burns out.
I have had this for a couple of years, but doctors thought is was something else. I did loose a lot of muscle in the beginning (and weight). Front of my thighs and calves and shoulders. I was forces of pred. after 1½ years and have been with out (just paracetamol and ibuprofen) for the past 15 months, so I have lots of patience now. I will go for the 1 mg reduction a month , as you all seem to agree on here I hope you stay of pred. and still feel well. Maybe you can let me know how it goes?
I, unlike you have GCA. I am not an expert and can only speak from my own personal experience. I had GCA diagnosed nine years ago and have had three relapses since and am currently on 3mg of predisolone. The fatigue just has to be "ridden" it is no use trying to fight it in my opinion. I think if there is no inflamation in the head then there is no brain fog. Originally when predisolone was given to me the relief I quickly felt was unbelievable. Although I am not one to like taking drugs I have to acknowledge I need it. I hope this helps you. If I can help you do ask again.
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