Is this a flare shouldI up the pred?

[ellarowan]

having started this journey in April2020 I have had a couple of flares but have steadily reduced to 2mgs. I’m so loathed to increase the pred having come this far. However I have a lot of stress just now, darling husband has cancer. I do meditate and do very gentle yoga. However, I now have pain in my upper back under my shoulder blades. Could this be PMR? My legs have increasingly felt like concrete until 3pm. I take my 2mgs pred at 9am. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm so sorry to hear that - it is hard, been there, done that. And it affects every part of life.

Given the situation you are in - it is very likely the stress has kicked the PMR into more life. And at 2mg your need of corticosteroid to cope with the stress is probably outstripping that 2mg and what your adrenal glands are capable of offering. Both DorsetLady and I have been there with husbands who were very ill for a long time - and both of us needed more pred at times to be able to cope, It isn't a failure - but you need more pred to be able to cope with it all. You might also do abit better if you could take the pred earlier in the morning - but above all, you need more.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Agree with PMRpro- you probably need a bit extra Pred - and if so, then take it… and best wishes through a difficult time for both of you.