I have just posted this on another thread. How our bodies and muscles in particular, react to this drug is critical to the way we need to address dosage and approach.
Here is my take on how this condition moulds us and progresses.
Confusing symptoms occur and they are similar to many conditions so diagnosis is often delayed, sometimes by years simply coping with increasing debilitating pains, stiffness or worse. We try to control pain through osteopaths, physios. acupuncture, alternative options and painkillers. Ultimately we discover PMR and GCA autoimmune conditions most have never heard of and for which prednisolone is the only relief. Some initial doses are eye wateringly high 80-100mg. some are too low like mine at 40mg. In nearly all cases it seems the consultants try to reduce too fast or the patients start off that way and flares occur. As realisation dawns that we are in for the long haul we need to take other drugs to regulate heart beat and blood pressure. Statins for liver damage are needed and diuretics for fluid retention plus others all adding to the mix and confusing our bodies. Our bodies are now no longer healing themselves automatically as they were but actually attacking themselves and we need the drugs to counter the effects. Balancing the states now is key. We have to work out what is happening at each stage and adjust dosing and type accordingly. If like me you had a condition like cellulitis when younger then it sits in your system for life and 50 years later because of damage or the weakened immune system decides to rear its head and further complicate the current condition.
The fluid retention in legs comes alongside muscle wastage from pred. The loss of balance is down to a slower response to nerve messages and the muscles not responding to the brains instructions. The lack of activity worsens the wastage and weakening and contributes to the fluid retention which cannot be cleared by the lymph system because of poorer blood flow from a weakened circulatory condition. This is caused by the pred. and less activity. Puffy legs and feet make for less flexibility and an unsteady feel which hampers proper walking and exercise, balance.
All in all it is interrelated and complex. No one person reacts in the same way as another and each needs to adjust to circumstances which suit their metabolism and physique. Not enough research is being done at the neuromuscular level of muscle response to pred. and I am convinced that by tuning exercise and dose to match an individuals response is key to improving our condition whilst suffering and post pred. state. There is clearly a genetic predisposition as to how we react to pred. and how it therefore debilitates us or otherwise. The later we start on pred. and the longer we take for remission plus the time we suffer whilst waiting for diagnosis the worse our state during the illness.
whisky or Wine?
Side Effects of Prednisolone? Just been scammed!
Off prednisolone since just after Xmas but I seem to be catching everything else!!
Adjusting Prednisolone
Tapering Prednisolone
Prednisolone withdrawal
Thank you for this, very interesting read. I can identify with a great deal of it, you have put my thoughts into words.
you are welcome. It's about all I'm capable of at the moment.
Sorry to hear it! I know how that feels. Although I have found moving about a little less painful over the the last two days. I changed to Methotrexate injections two weeks ago and hope that I will continue to improve. I have the weakened muscles, fluid retention etc, and I am trying to break the vicious cycle that you describe so well. It’s very disheartening when you realise you are not progressing in the way that you hoped.