depression and itching!!!

[Bedwell]

woke up in the night itching.. cream helped! But woke up eventually feeling really depressed. Am reluctant to start on another drug.. antidepressant? Am

On 3 mgs pred. Trying to get very slowly off it. Tried one day 2.5. Alright in the morning but the afternoon couldn’t function at all. I know it’s adrenals?! But have others suffered from depression on pred.? I had a breakdown about 30 years ago when my dear mum had Alzheimer’s..

Comments on antidepressants when on pred please? Hate to discuss it with my darling daughters at this point. Thank goodness for this forum!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sorry to hear this, but unfortunately depression is a side effect of Pred - however would have expected it to be more severe at higher doses, not now you are at such a low dose, so maybe it’s more related to poor adrenal function. If so, perhaps you should ask your GP for a cortisol test - just a simple blood test in the morning - to see how your adrenals are.

Sorry can’t help on drugs, but you do need to discuss with GP, there are other therapies that may help initially.

[Bedwell in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks so much for replying so quickly. I am having an adrenal function test in a couple of weeks.. rheumy thought I was depressed when I saw her last week. She’s not exactly sympathetic!!!but what to do if it is adrenal prob which seems likely! ?

I do have a therapist who I will contact again.

And do others have itching? I seem to remember reading it could be a pred symptom.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bedwell]

No probs…even though can’t add anything constructive - just wanted you to know someone was listening.

Depends on what test says re adrenals, but usually it’s just a very slow taper - and time…and maybe seeing a specialist.

..as for itching, you can see related posts and get some some suggestions.

[Bedwell in reply to DorsetLady]

It was wonderful to feel someone was listening!!! Exactly. Thanks again!!

[SnazzyD]

On low doses of Pred and my adrenal function was low, I had low mood and anxiety. It could come and go quite suddenly in the day but 2-5pm was my worst time personally. I just kept telling myself it wasn’t really me and would pass. I did however, explore the possibility that although it was induced, there could be a kernel of a reason; no smoke without fire. I would have thought if it was Pred directly it would have been worse on higher doses. As my adrenal function it improved with more good days in between the bad.

Why do you feel that you shouldn’t bother your adult children?

[Bedwell in reply to SnazzyD]

Of course they know I have bouts of anxiety… but are glad I have a therapist to talk to as feel so helpless.!

We are exploring retirement home possibilities.. as I get lonely. As some American said!! Old age is not for sissies !!!!

[SnazzyD in reply to Bedwell]

It certainly isn’t! I looked after my father-in-law for 10 years in our because intermittent depression and anxiety made it difficult to cope with the demands of his own home. As he moved to us he had no friends and we were, or rather I was, his social world. He slowly became very down and preoccupied with his internal and external struggles and loneliness was deep. After much persuasion he went to a nice care home. Suddenly he had staff popping in, incidental chats, made a few friends and had laid on activities he could take or leave. He was a private man but having people and help on tap was transformational for everyone.

[Bedwell in reply to SnazzyD]

Oh thanks!? There is one place locally where I can take my dog! I am going to give it a try sometime… soon?!?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Depression can be an effect of pred - but it can also be an effect of lack of pred if you develop adrenal insufficiency, Just another problem with the low doses of pred.

[Bedwell in reply to PMRpro]

!?!?!?!?.. having a test at hospital arranged by rheumy next week.

[winfong]

Have you been depressed before? What are your symptoms? Typically, you have to experience symptoms for 2 weeks before a diagnosis. Definitely talk to your therapist or GP/PCP. Here's hoping you're feeling a little better.

[Bedwell in reply to winfong]

Thanks. Talking to therapist this morning. Just get lonely sometimes . Worse in morning but usually wears off. Certainly not clinical depression as I understand it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bedwell]

There is a very blurred line between sadness and depression.

[winfong in reply to Bedwell]

Probably don't need anti-depressants then. Talking to your therapist is a wonderful idea.

[Bedwell in reply to winfong]

Yes he was so great this morning! Hadn’t woken feeling depressed like the previous day… but he had his own interpretation of that!!!

[Bedwell]

has been more frequent as tapering. Exhaustion! Just have to lie down! Dizzy. Will stay on 3mgs for another week prob.. and then try 2.5 again about twice a week? 33/2 33/2 etc.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bedwell]

Slow down - let your body catch up. Months at each new dose is sometimes needed.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Bedwell]

Probably better to introduce new dose for one day for first week, 2 days [but not consecutively] in 2nd week - and so on ...

my slightly longer 7 week taper does just that -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[MiniSpec in reply to Bedwell]

Why not try 2.75mg instead of 2.5mg? The percentage of change is reduced by doing this, and it might make a difference to how you feel when you do reduce. If you don't have a pill cutter, then get one from your local pharmacist. They are very cheap, and worth the couple of pounds or so in order to make life much easier for you.

[Bedwell in reply to MiniSpec]

Thankyou .. pills are so small! I can’t see how I could do that! But will investigate.

[Purplecrow in reply to Bedwell]

My lovely pharmacist gave me 1mg tabs, 2.5 tabs and 5mg tabs. Do you believe it! No more trying to nip teensy pieces off 5 or 10 mg tabs.

[Bedwell]

thankyou

[Gimme]

Depression is often listed as a symptom of PMR too. I've wondered how much of that is due to enforced inactivity from being unwell. I have suffered on and off throughout my life with pretty severe depression. Like you describe, always worst first thing and slowly lifts as the day goes on. I believe that is said to be a fairly classic pattern. Exercise in association with sunshine and fresh air is essential for my mental wellbeing and I try to spend some time outdoors every day, even if it is just walking round the garden or sitting on the back door step with a mug of tea. I assume that you are already taking Vitamin D.

[Bedwell]

yes all those things. Apparently I had the best result of a vit D test they had had for a longtime…..very lucky also to have a darling cocker spaniel ! So have to walk round the fields a certain amount anyway! Feeling good today after zoom with really good therapist chap I talk to from time time to time .. to save complaining to daughters!!!