Muscle tone

[Harrywogan]

Hi all feeling low this morning and shouldn't as IAM off to Portugal for 3 weeks soon case packed, but IAM wondering if it just me that's lost a lot of muscle tone with the steroids IAM just glad I can cover this body with cloths but wonder if you lovely people have same problem. Thanking you all so much. X

[SheffieldJane]

Yes and I dread everything just before I do it, then I have a lovely time and feel 10 times better. The sea and the sun will feed your soul and bobbing about in the water will soothe your body.

[Harrywogan in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hope so Jane x

[piglette]

I am definitely weaker but swimming does help, particularly my arms.

[Harrywogan in reply to piglette]

It's my bum that went to hell in a handbasket lol x

[piglette in reply to Harrywogan]

It was the whole of me, including my brain!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I did lose a lot of upper leg muscle when I was on methylprednisolone but it did return once I was off it. You do need to use those muscles - very gently walking and tightening bum muscles to keep them awake.

[cycli]

I've posted about this before. Lost about 60%. Some react worse than others. The fitter and more athletic you are the worse it seems to hit. Unless you can do serious exercise you won't put muscle on. I have PMR and GCA and it simply wasn't possible to exercise. Hoping to get back to it now at 5mg, but the damage done is severe. 3months short of 3 yrs now on pred.

[Viveka in reply to cycli]

Cycli, very pleased you are down to 5mg now. It is good to know one is in calmer pred level waters and less damage being done.

It has taken me a year to taper from 5 to 1 - I think I am still in danger zone so crossing fingers.

Loss of muscle is very interesting. Factors could be existing muscle tone (more problems for athletic people as you indicate), sex, whether you can still exercise because of PMR, and mysterious reaction to pred.

Harry, I am a great believer in isometric/isotonic exercises. They are subtle but you can do them lots, anywhere, and even if you are tired. Have a lovely hol!

[cycli in reply to Viveka]

Hi Viveka. Good luck with final 1mg. Fingers crossed. The more you are used to pushing muscle the more the muscle notices the lack. Vicious circle

[agingfeminist]

My upper leg muscles (in particular) dissolved on high dose of pred (4 years ago)....exercise does not help..in fact makes me weaker. I do keep moving but can no longer climb stairs and can walk for only about 10 minutes max. My doc says it might improve after I am off steroids...or not. I am now on 1 mg (I hope) and no sign of muscle improvement...and of course at the lower does (for me below 4mg) lots of diffiuclties with adrenal insufficiency. It continues to be a very difficult journey....but very individual...hope yours is easier.

[2013mayo]

I lost lots of muscle all over, I’ve always been naturally muscle toned mostly without trying but it’s all gone now, I’ve been off pred for 3 months now and still very thin and very weak, I hope it gets better but I’m not holding my breath.

[Lonsdalelass]

Problem is, we're all getting older too....🥴

[Lonsdalelass]

P.S. have a lovely holiday! Always makes us feel better in the sunshine ☀