PMR, prednisone and Raynaud Syndrome

[JMT_hiker]

Been on prednisone for eight months for my battle with PMR and am now experiencing Raynaud syndrome. Wondering if this is a coincidence or if anyone else has had this experience.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Had you never had it before? Secondary Raynauds can be due to an autoimmune disorder though PMR isn't usually mentioned. I've had it for years, long before PMR so possibly primary Raynauds but I'd say it has been better since being on pred.

[JMT_hiker in reply to PMRpro]

Never experienced it before. Maybe I'm just lucky? Thanks for replying to my post; just communicating makes me feel better.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JMT_hiker]

You'll get plenty of communication here!

[herdysheep]

I can't remember when my Raynaud's started. Possibly before pmr but certainly very apparent in last couple of years. Even wear gloves in the house sometimes.

[Twopies]

I’ve had it since my 30s. Decades ago I read an article in a womens magazine that said, “raynauds is seldom a stand alone illness; it usually is a forerunner of some underlying condition.” I’ve kept that in my mind (obviously) forever—not saying it’s correct by any means, just saying the people I know who have it also have other diagnoses. Tough to live with, isn’t it?

[JMT_hiker in reply to Twopies]

you can say that again, very uncomfortable

[GucciPaddy]

Hi JMT,

I have lots of experience with Prednisone as I've been on them for over three years now! However I'm afraid I am unable to give any advice other than trying to reduce the dosage as much as possible.

I confess I never heard of Secondary Raynauds until you mentioned it and having looked it up I can only express sincere regret that you suffer from same. Its connection with PMR I cannot comment on as I have no knowledge in this area. Interesting that you seemed to get some relief from taking Preds!

Very sorry I cannot be more helpful.

Paddy

[JMT_hiker in reply to GucciPaddy]

I think it will subside as I taper lower. I think the prednisone is causing it. Who knows; it may just be a coincidence. Lucky for me I am resilient and able to cope with much adversity. I chalk this up to being raised by a coal miners daughter from the coal country of Kentucky. My mom was tough as nails.

[GucciPaddy in reply to JMT_hiker]

I commend your mom’s resilience and it seems you have inherited some of her’s

Unfortunately long time usage of Prednisone (in my case over 3 years!) is known to cause many adverse side affects! One of which I believe I have - i.e. mood swings. This causes me to have extreme depressive moods frequently almost every other day! These mood swings only started recently. Although I’m also on a low dose of Mirtazapine for depression I’ve never experienced such low moods!

This is giving me a high incentive to reduce my dosage of Pred. Currently I’m on 2mg daily which incidentally I just started today coming down from 2.5mg. I just hope I can continue to taper at the rate of 0.5mg every month. So far I seem to be succeeding at this taper rate. My target of course (like I’m sure is everyone’s) to eventually get to zero mg by April next year.

Apologies if I’ve run on a bit but I do get some solace from communicating with fellow sufferers in this forum

I can only wish you well in your tapering attempts.

[JMT_hiker in reply to GucciPaddy]

My targeted end date is April as well! With some luck we'll get off the demon drug at the same time. I am being harsh on the prednisone even though it has allowed me to function for the last eight months.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JMT_hiker]

How can you call a drug that protects vision and saves lives demonic?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GucciPaddy]

Bear in mind that adrenal insufficiency, which is likely as you get to these low doses, can also cause mood swings. Many people notice depressive mood when they get to doses below 6 or 7mg.

[GucciPaddy in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting point which could

[GucciPaddy]

Your comments are not only welcome but very touching, thank you.

Paddy