Short of Breath

[Dydee]

First of all, I'm not sure when I first had PMR symptoms, or if what I was feeling was something else. That being said, I noticed being short of breath upon exertion in Feb. 2019 and mild muscle weakness. Full blown PMR symptoms hit in Fall that year causing major problems with my upper arm and thigh muscles finally sending me to my GP. 9 months later I discovered my diagnosis on the internet and doc agreed that was my issue. FINALLY!!! Skip to current status. We made a major move to another state 1000 miles away which was a huge undertaking for 79 years old and 5 driving trips across country. My PMR stayed controlled in spite of the stress. A year later however my shortness of breath had worsened a bit so doc ordered a pulmonary function test that came back I have COPD. I am not so bad I need inhalers. I have done so much reading trying to figure out if this could be the PMR, a side effect of being on Pred. for nearly 3 years or issues with my adrenals from my recent taper to 5.5mg Pred. I don't have any symptoms of a flare.

My other question concerns my recent fall and fractured wrist. 😪 Tripped in the ER parking lot after leaving there one night and then had to have surgery to realign the radius. Just wondering if Prednisone will have any affect on the healing process? Surgery was 3/2 and still have throbbing pain and swelling. Worse since stitches came out and they added a cast.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry - what do you mean by 3/2? If it is the 2nd of March it is pretty early days and it sounds as if you need better pain control. I have never had problems heaing because of pred - but age does have a role to play I fear!

Pred is used to soothe the inflammation in COPD, I don't think it causes it but it can cause shortness of breath. However, I'd have expected that to be worse at higher doses.

Did they tell you to increase the pred dose over the surgery? I would have thought Sick Day Rules would apply.

[Dydee in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, March 2, sorry. No instructions to increase Pred.

My test showed I breath in fine but don't breath out very well. It has taken 5 months to get in with a pulmonologist who I see next week to find out more. Does PMR have any affect on breathing? And can PMR come on slowly or always fairly quickly? I started feeling off in Feb. 2019 and by Summer way worse but still thinking it would finally go away. Finally end of Summer I was nearly helpless.

They did prescribe drugs for pain but I hate taking that stuff. At 80 I don't like taking chances with side effects. The wrist is uncomfortable but not crazy painful, mostly coming in waves. I think the cast might be too tight interfering with circulation. It comes off in 2 weeks. Hopefully.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Dydee]

If you think the cast is too tight then you need to get it checked, Pain relief is a necessary evil - it is all very well saying you are worried about side effects but short term they are few and far between whereas longterm unmanaged pain can result in what is called "learned pain" and it is difficult to get rid of.

I think PMR can manifest over an extended time - mine started in the spring with difficulty sleeping with my arms above my head, then it became increasingly difficult to do step classes. In the autumn I went to the gym to start preparing for the ski season and had the most awful claudication pain in my thigh muscles though I thought I was just unfit, didn't recognise it as claudication. At the New Year I woke up unable to move which is what many people report and that has led to the idea it starts suddenly. I think if you look closely, you can identify symptoms in the months before.

[Dydee in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I believe you are right and waking up unable to move or lift me arms to brush my hair drove me to the doctor. No diagnosis after 9 months till I found it on the internet!!!

[Missus835 in reply to Dydee]

Symptoms started May 2021 although I thought it was just stiff neck and shoulders due to poor pillows. Not so. Fast forward to Aug. 15 2021...woke up unable to get out of bed and after doing so my daughter had to help me get out of the tub because I tried to have a warm bath. It progressed until I could do virtually nothing. Went to G P who diagnosed old age. So months of excruciating pain. In December 2021 pharmacist said get bloodwork done..possibly RA. CRP was 42. Called GP who got me an urgent referral to a Neurologist here in Halifax. Diagnosed with PMR. Put on Pred 20 mg. Pain 80% gone overnight. Still on Pred but tapering. You are not alone and although symptoms seem to appear overnight I think inflammation has built up for so long...then the hits the fan.

[Dydee in reply to Missus835]

Yes, my symptoms seemed to escalate over a 7 month period until I couldn't get out of bed. Took 9 months with 3 trial runs on Prednisone where I felt fine for those 10 days and trips to physical therapy with lots of pain in between. So 9 months docs kept guessing at problem. Didn't send me for bloodwork till I brought in a printout about PMR I found on the internet. I'm surprised this isn't studied more but then I guess there is no money in a solution since Pred. is the only real treatment and only controls symptoms.

[SnazzyD in reply to Dydee]

If you think the cast is too tight, do let them know as it can cause problems. It may be ok but if not you need it sorted.

[Dydee in reply to SnazzyD]

I messaged my surgeon about it and her nurse just said ice and elevate. 😪 Ice brings the selling down a bit but hane and fingers swell right back up.

[Janstr]

PMR can come on slowly; mine came on over several months. Re your cast, you need to get it checked as soon as you can, as it may have to be replaced

[Dydee in reply to Janstr]

Thank you so much!! I have been trying to track it's onset and when I started feeling symptoms. Obviously when it started escalating I can blame PMR but wasn't sure how far back it could have been the cause of my new issues of fatigue, muscle weakness and shortness of breath on exertion.

[MariGrace]

I am sorry about your trials. Regarding Prednisone possibly lengthening healing, in my case - yes. The doctor warned me about that possible side effect. By all means, check with your doctor about the cast and watch the stitches for infection. I've been on pred for over 6 straight years and have other 'issues' where wounds don't heal as fast as they should. My rule of thumb is to take extra care and precautions. I read in another reply to you, a comment that proved true for me. When I have had surgeries over the years the doctors have increased the prednisone for a short time, then reduced the additional amount fairly quickly. Feel better soon! MariGrace - PMR for 6 years pred at 10mg,

[Dydee in reply to MariGrace]

Thank you MariGrace! I have been on Pred. since June 2020 and after a few hiccups tapering have gotten down to 5.5mg recently and doing OK for an old gal. LOL So not sure at that dose if I need to increase or not. Obviously my doc didn't know either. Sure would hate to mess up my tapering at this point. My high eye pressure keeps me focused on succeeding as well as other possible side effects at my age.

[Golden20]

Hi Dydee, so sorry to hear you had a nasty fall. It sometimes seems like one thing after another, I had surgery on my face and upper arm in 2019, after falling down the stairs and going through the long glass window at the bottom of the stairs. At that time I was on 15 mg Prednisone for PMR. I’m no expert but for me personally, I feel that the prednisone actually helped my healing process. That’s just my personal experience. Obviously, everyone heals is differently. I wish you every Good luck with your healing and recovery. Keep fighting the good fight.

[Dydee in reply to Golden20]

Oh my!! I guess we both could have had it much worse. Hope you healed up well. I am only on 5.5mg Pred. right now so not sure if I need to do anything at this point. It sure did help me get through Covid easier though when on 10 mg!

[Shanghi]

Sorry to hear about all the pain you're having, but I can't give you any advice as I don't what exactly prednisone does. Hope you will feel better soon.