flare?

[kentish61]

Hello all, I’m just entering my second year of PMR and I’m now down to 7.5 mgs of Prednisolone but the last week I have felt awful. Very tired, my body aches, no energy. I had a total knee replacement 3 months ago and I’m due to go back to part time work next weds. Should I increase my pred for a couple of weeks maybe? Thank you in advance.

[SnazzyD]

Have you done a Covid test? That’s how I would describe myself and I’ve just tested positive faintly on lft. Negative for first couple of days. Muscle pains and total exhaustion, none of the other shenanigans so far.

7.5mg is also a dodgy dose range where it can be too much still to allow the adrenal glands to wake but not enough to get you through the day happily. I felt my worst at this level.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Not AGAIN!!! Get well soon ...

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Indeed! All I’ve done is take in postal deliveries though my husband goes to work but he’s fine. I know that’s not saying he hasn’t got it. Going on holiday to Rome on Weds.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Oooops! Bad timing that - lot of walking in Rome! Though the forecast is low 30s again, summer has returned ...

[bonmaine in reply to SnazzyD]

Enjoy yr holiday. I loved Rome.

[kentish61 in reply to SnazzyD]

Ah that’s interesting about this level of Pred. I was doing quite well before this week. Yes taken a covid test and it’s negative

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you tapered since the knee job? Knees are lot harder to recover from than hips and I would say if you HAVE tapered in that time, go back to where you were pre-op. And if you haven't, possibly you needed a bit more to aid recovery, a bit like Sick Day Rules.

[kentish61 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I have tapered since my surgery so I will go back up to maybe 10mgs and see if that helps. I’m also experiencing what I think is carpal tunnel as my wrist at night is very painful. Goodness I’m a mess at the moment.

[Holycow2 in reply to kentish61]

I to suffer from carpal tunnel. Since taking Pred for PMR I’ve found it’s gone hover before it was terrible especially at night! I bought splints for both hands from Amazon to wear at night and they were amazing! Took away the pain completely where before it felt like my wrists were on fire.

[tempusfugi in reply to kentish61]

I'm suffering from what appears to be carpal tunnel syndrome too, at the moment. Been coming on for some months. Am undergoing tests. Sooo painful at times, I keep dropping things, waking up in considerable pain in arms etc etc. Am really fed up right now...

[kentish61 in reply to tempusfugi]

It’s horrible isn’t it and so painful

[Curious101 in reply to kentish61]

Carpal Tunnel can be linked to HypoThyroidism, which is where my auto-immune journey started. Might be time for a full set of meds? I'm both new on here and this is just my personal experience, but worth a thought?

Good news is that if splints don't work, the surgery is very straightforward and works like magic.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

It really depends whether it’s a flare - or adrenals stuttering…very tired and no energy sounds like latter.

However, the body aches could be adrenals [it can be a sign they are strughling], or are they similar to what you had pre diagnosis…

Couple of links - first re dealing with a flare, second on adrenals - unfortunately sometimes at the level you are at now it’s difficult to tell- and of course it could be a bit of both -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[kentish61 in reply to DorsetLady]

My neck aches a little and my hips hurt and my back aches but no where near as bad as when I was diagnosed. I’ve read your links and yes it could be a little of both. I’ve been sick a few times this week which is unusual for me. If I’m on 7.5 should I go back up to 8 or 9 where I felt ok or should I go higher for a couple of weeks?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to kentish61]

Nausea could be adrenals if it unusual for you.

Think I might be inclined to treat as flare -so add an extra 5mg for say 7 days then drop back to 8mg rather than 7.5mg.

Any chance of getting an extra week off work to give things time to settle -or is that not possible?

How’s the knee? Had mine done in 2018 -never looked back….🌸

[kentish61 in reply to DorsetLady]

Can’t take an extra week off unfortunately but I’m only working 12 hours for the next couple of weeks. The knee is doing fine pain wise, it’s still quite swollen but I know that’s normal. It’s just the strange feeling of the implant, it feels like I’m carrying around a lump of lead 😂

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to kentish61]

Pity about not getting more time off -but it is what it is

..hopefully work doesn’t involve too much standing… 😉

[PMRnewbie2017 in reply to kentish61]

Re the swelling in your knee. It's important to get rid of the fluid so keep icing the area. Also when you were told to raise the leg, ideally it should be really raised ...90deg to your body if possible. When my husband had his knees done the surgeon was adamant about getting rid of the fluid. The legs up the wall was his treatment and it was a game changer, although the extra trips to the toilet were a nuisance!

[kentish61 in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Many thanks for your reply unfortunately if I get on the floor I’d never get up but I do elevate it higher than my heart.

[PMRnewbie2017]

My OH lay on the bed and put legs up behind the headboard but whichever way you chose that fluid has to go!!

[kentish61 in reply to PMRnewbie2017]

Ah right that makes more sense th al you x

[Myfoe]

It appears we are on similar paths I just started my second year of PMR I am at 7mg down from 60mg also take methotrexate though I had back surgery 3 months ago I thought a flare might happen right after surgery but I was spared but then the worst flare to date snuck in! My neck/shoulders, wrists were aching then hips not horrible at first then it let me have it I woke unable to get out of bed without assistance I moved back to 10mg it has taken 2 weeks but the worst is over best of luck to you enjoy your trip