Extreme fatigue

[SofiaAlf]

hello I have had PMR since 2019 now down to 5mg , just getting over a chest infection and I have extreme fatigue in the mornings and starts to lift as day goes on . Female aged 70 , started at 30 now down to 5 . Thank you all Lucy

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Adrenals not keeping up with the taper - lots about it in the FAQs

and since it is handy (just posted it somewhere else) have a read of the links here:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk......

Sorry - must dash ...

[SnazzyD]

Your adrenal glands are having to work quite hard right now due to the infection. This can make one feel really fatigued. It may be they were coping in less troubled times but now your body is having to recuperate. I know so many people who have had viruses and secondary chest infections in the last few months who have been totally wiped out for weeks. You have both these things so mornings may well be a challenge at the moment. Do read PMRPro’s link.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Just to add - link re adrenals - which may be part of the issue, but as SnazzyD says recovery from infection won't be helping either -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[SofiaAlf]

Thank you all so much for reply ,I now know it’s Adrenalin’s and will up the dose to 7.5 ,see how it goes ,many thanks Lucy

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SofiaAlf]

Very slow and small tapers from now on - if not already. Slower plans here -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

and only 0.5mg a time...helps adrenals and PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SofiaAlf]

Though bear in mind that it is a stage you will have to go through at some point and all going up does is delay the crunch point.

[piglette]

sounds like the deathly fatigue is around. It is caused by your adrenal glands being none too keen on leaping into action after their holiday when the steroids took over.

[Richmond162]

Hi. I too am just getting over cold and chest infection. Went to docs, thought I had a style but turned out to be a cyst! Very sore and big. Put on antibiotics. Optician has stated I have extremely dry eyes, the oil ducts are blocked due to steroid taking. I am using drops and gel at night. They do ease my eyes but I have GCA as well and am so worried all the time. Anybody else feel the same? Many thanks for replies.

[Jackoh in reply to Richmond162]

Just had a look at your profile but not much on it. Would advise you to update it so folk know details and what dose you are now on. That really helps when someone wants to offer advice. Easy to say too but try not to worry excessively about your GCA that will only cause more stress which will impact on your health and the control of your PMRGCA. 💐

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Richmond162]

I'd also suggest you post this as a new thread - few will see it here in the middle of an existing thread. And PLEASE tell us more in the bio rather than us having to look at past posts which takes ages.

Many people get a lot of relief following the care plans for blepharitis - this is a particularly good article:

aao.org/eye-health/diseases...

Heated compresses help a lot - and you can get masks to heat in the microwave

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Richmond162]

as others have suggested -

more info in bio please,

and as PMRpro says new post where it will be seen by more people. She and I are the about the only ones that save every post and therefore see every reply.

[Richmond162 in reply to DorsetLady]

Hello. I have noted your comments re bio I was diagnosed with PMR then a few months after unfortunately GCA. I was on 40 mg steroids and have got down to 6mg but must admit I am struggling with stiffness again. I do worry about my eyesight but am having trouble re oil ducts being blocked. I have started on Omega 3 capsules and have Blepharitis wipes and am bathing with warm water. I seem to be doing it all!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Richmond162]

Well don’t let the stiffness get out of hand, you may need to think about a PMR flare…hopefully not.

I did have issues with eyes with higher doses of Pred [also GCA] but they seem to resolve as I got lower… although long off Pred I still have a bit of dry eye, so use drops night and morning… it’s a pain, isn’t it?

[Richmond162 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. Yes …..it is a pain!

[herdysheep in reply to Richmond162]

Hopefully the warm water has been boiled and left to cool. Sadly, water has been known to introduce infection - last thing you need. You could ask your optician if they run a dry eye clinic. Many do and can help to stop ducts becoming permanently blocked.

[Richmond162 in reply to herdysheep]

thank you, I will do that.