Prednisone - A Drug You Need But Lookout!

[A77bruin]

I was diagnosed with PMR July 2021 and immediately put on 40mg of Prednisone. By November, I had 2 torn rotator cuffs - both orthopedic dr and rheumatologist agree that the Prednisone “helped” this to happen. My orthopedic surgeon would not operate on me until I was at 5 mg of prednisone because the prednisone would inhibit any kind of healing and it would just fail. Fast forward to March I am down to 5 mg and I had my right rotator cuff operated on. It is nearly 4 months and it is still not working properly. Meanwhile, my left rotator cuff was so far gone that I had to have shoulder replacement surgery, which was done yesterday. My orthopedic surgeon thinks that my right shoulder will also need an implant. Thank you very much prednisone. A drug you need for PMR but it screws with the rest of your body . Let’s not talk about weight gain.

Thanks for reading this. This too shall pass.

[Nextoneplease]

Hi A77bruin

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had such troubles with your shoulders 😞 Wishing you as swift a recovery as possible xx

[MrsNails]

Shoulders/PMR/Pred not the greatest of mixes unfortunately…..Shoulders is where l came in to PMR

Wishing You All The Very Best.

MrsN

[SheffieldJane]

So sorry A77bruin!

[agingfeminist]

So sorry to read of your shoulder problems. Pred does make us vulnerable to all sorts of tendon/joint probs. But I notice you also mention weight gain, which is not great for other joints...just wrote a post to someone else about this...have you tried almost no carbs? cut out sugar, flour, rice, potatoes, fruit juices, bananas...it really helps...and I found you lose the taste for sweet things in about 3 weeks...also perhaps no added salt so less likely to get fluid retention. Wishing you a speedy recovery from everything!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to agingfeminist]

To boost the salt bit - my daughters have been here this week, 3 days running we have eaten out - my feet were like footballs last night! The salt in restaurant food here is far better than it was a few years ago but even so ...

[Constance13]

Salt is a real problem with restaurant meals over here (and any pre-packed stuff).Were you able to get out a bit more with your daughters? It is helpful when someone is there to support you.

“foot balls”. Is that a new word for swollen ankles??😂

Our son and family were supposed to be visiting this weekend but the flight was cancelled two days before they were to set off!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Constance13]

Hadn't thought of that!!! Oh yes!!!!!! Salt and my feet has been around for a very long time - just as bad at times but of course at nearly 70 the docs are starting make noises!!

We had a lovely time - but not a lot practical done. Icecream high on the menu (not much salt there though). Vegan pizza, vegan pasta and a new "Streetfood" place in town - always at least one vegan dish on the menu!

Been a wide selection of thunderstorms though - another one about to arrive I think! I expected to get one on the way back - I get the impression Belluno gets one most afternoons but it has arrived late today - just getting there about now! Looks a very wet one ...