Pred and exercise

[Southmead]

Without taking too much of the wonderful advisors here. I'm currently tapering from 4.5mm pred to 4mm, in a few weeks down to 3.5mm.

So far I'm experiencing a bit of usual stiffness in the mornings, and slight fatigue, nothing maor beyond a little discomfort. Most days I walk 2-3 miles. However, I'm reticent to join my hiking group for the longer and more strenous hikes, usually 8 miles or so.

At this stage of the taper I don't want to upset the balance with physical exertion, do you think this is the wise approach?

Thank You

[alvertta]

yes. Unless there is a way you can leave the group midway.

[Southmead in reply to alvertta]

Yes, discretion better part of valor and all that..

[Herman99]

I walk 7 miles a day and I am on 2.5 mg dose. To be honest I listen to my body and occasionally it will say in the morning "no not today". Ensure you listen to what your body tells you as everyone is different. I could not walk 7 miles without a break half way in other words a sit down for lunch water etc and if you can make it last for 40 mins plus. Your body is the best teacher and will let you know what is and is not acceptable and we are all different. Good luck and enjoy.

[Southmead in reply to Herman99]

Than you, yes listen to your body, I will see how I feel on the day..

[Bcol]

High Southmead, that sounds like a very sensible plan to me. Also, if you still feeling some discomfort it may be worth staying on 4mg a little longer before you head to 3.5mg. Good luck and hope it all goes well.

[Southmead in reply to Bcol]

Thank you, yes you have to be sensible, in the past I was too gung ho and I think that hampered me..

[SnazzyD]

How do these hikes compare in terms of uneven terrain and gradient? Weather conditions will also be a factor to consider such as a stiff breeze that you have to work against.

[Southmead in reply to SnazzyD]

In the past I suffered in the heat, and of course strenuous uphil climbs. I've gotten much better at not partaking in those conditions. My daily walks are on city streets, so a little easier, plus I go at my own pace. Thank you

[SnazzyD in reply to Southmead]

If it were me I’d train up on my own for a while by gently trying a bit more uphill etc. I think with a group it can spur one on to do too much for various reasons. On your own you can set small ‘tasks’ to test your body and become more acclimated to walking on uneven ground, not just streets because those small muscles that stabilise your ankles will not have much use.

[Southmead in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you, that's a good plan. I have decided to stop trying tough it out. Time to listen to my prednisone body..

[SnazzyD in reply to Southmead]

Amen to that. Toughing it out usually ends in tears and a mental setback. Small achievable goals for winners instead of going for big ticket goals and crashing out followed by self doubt etc etc.

[Southmead in reply to SnazzyD]

Yes indeed, it’s only taken me 9 years to work that out..

[SnazzyD in reply to Southmead]

Yep, most of us are mature students of that particular school.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Probably wise not to partake in longer hike particularly as you are suffering”some discomfort”

And do keep your eye on those -don’t let them increase. Could be adrenals, but could also be the beginnings of a flare. .

[Southmead in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks, I feel that I'm in a critical phase of tapering, this time trying to be more sensible instead of going gung ho and pretending I can still do it.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do - in the meantime start to practise alone! Increase the distance you walk in a day slowly, adding maybe half a mile first and see how you feel, and another half mile after a decent interval. Don't ever make the jump from 3 miles to 8 miles without building up to it. It is also useful if your first few hikes with them is somewhere you can bail out if necessary. It isn't a good look to hit the wall of fatigue in a remote and innacessible spot! And Snazzy's point about terrain and inclines is also critical.

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, in the past I hit that wall and just wanted to lie down and die, but now I've gotten smarter and don't do that anymore. As the taper seems to be going fairly well, I will sit more hikes out, and go at my own now slower pace. Thanks again..

[Lyndaki]

Last year, I’d managed to reduce down to 3mg & was feeling good. I went on a not very strenuous walk by a river with friends…only around 5kms…& by evening I was dying! It felt like my legs were in concrete & I’ve never felt tiredness like it! I’m very wary how much I do now & like the others say, listen to your body.

[Southmead in reply to Lyndaki]

I had that experience, unfortunately I was halfway round a tough, hot hike. I hung on for grim death, never known a fatigue like it. After all these years of fighting it, I’m finally learning to listen to my body, the advice gleaned from here. Thank you..

[Caleb85]

Hi Southmead, I understand the frustration - I had run 5 marathons in my 70's and was so keen to run London at 80 BUT Covid and house moves got in the way of training then PMR !!

Frankly one needs to build up the miles somewhat like the reverse of Pred taper.

As far as stiffness - I truly have to fight so hard through the first mile or 10/15 minutes then it goes off and the joy comes back! That's the journey I'm on at 84 - don't give up.

[Southmead in reply to Caleb85]

I am learning a better awareness of my situation and finally stopped fighting fatigue, etc. I’m not giving up, and thank you for inspiration..

[Broseley]

You are all so lucky, I've never been able to walk more than 2 or 3 miles due to my bad back. Though pred made me pain free for the first time since my 20s!

[Southmead in reply to Broseley]

Even 2 miles is good..

[catdance]

Hi all! I've been experiencing that too, Broseley. I'm currently on a taper from 8 1/2 mg to 8 mg. I don't really have a "place to go" & being a woman, in my 60's, going out alone can prove to be dangerous these days. I struggle too with getting started and do feel I need to "push through" the first 15 minutes or so of my walks. PMR takes fortitude! Once you get past the "heavy/stiff/sore legs" then it is quite easy to over do it so you need to find a balance and definitely tune in to your body. I used to run in high school but always ran a bit just to keep things in shape. I liked a challenge if someone was with me. It's such a good feeling to run and I miss it. I haven't done that since PMR hit me. I do like to dance so that helps. It's also Spring here in Michigan so the days are getting warmer. I find it's difficult to "push through" when it's cold. The cold makes my muscles around my hips feel stiff and achy. We just had a couple of days with some wicked storms, hail & heavy rains but today it is sunshine and blue skies with wispy clouds! Makes me feel like getting out there once it warms up a bit more. Funny it was nearly 70 degrees yesterday, currently it's 37, (but feels like 28). Lol! Quite the change! It's so tempting though!

[Broseley in reply to catdance]

I enjoy Scottish Country dancing (with other people of my age and older - we're all just in it for the fun!) which is good aerobic exercise as well as exercising the hips and knees. I also volunteer at the village meadow where we dig, hack brambles and plant bluebells etc. A good workout, good company, and I always feel better afterwards! It compensates for the problems I have with walking. I think it's the repetitiveness of it. The other forms of exercise I do are very varied.

[MrsNails]

l think you’ve thought this through & know the answer, it’s better to do too little than too much as there’s always tomorrow!

Good Luck 🍀

[Southmead in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you, we never stop learning about this affliction, ever onward!!