I have no doubt foolishly carried on the same level of pred, even dropping (and failing) down to 9mg for a day), after my husband's death in June and subsequent clearing the house (filled with books, clutter, you name it!), looking after the garden and the allotment and keeping up with friends. I have been feeling on the edge of pred's capacity to mop up the inflammation f or some months. Recently I have been experiencing increasing stiffness and pain, some surges of what I am describing as histamine reactions (stinging and burning sensations in the whole body, including under the feet and in the mouth). Anyway it got to the extent that I upped the dosage from 10 mg which I usually split 2pm/2am with another 5mg at 4.30am on Monday morning and 5mg at 2pm (remembering advice on the forum about blocking a flare). I did feel worryingly a bit buzzy and emotional but that cleared. Then I took 7gms this 2am. Today since I have been up I have been feeling very revved up and anxious with pain in the central chest. Only reduced with some release of emotion but still present.
I had a chat with a Rheumatology nurse from Bath RUH this am who suggested that I carry on with 12 mgs a day for 6 days and then try and drop slowly.
My stiffness has reduced though I have felt pain deep in my arms which seems to have moved down from the shoulders. Does PMR do this??? A likely rheumatoid knuckle on the index finger seems to look less swollen.
My main question is this. If the adrenals are being really pushed and one starts feeling incredibly anxious and over emotional does this correlate with an overdose that is more than required for the dampening down of the inflammation? I often wonder about those who are put on 80mgs for GCA. I would explode!
Additionally I am curious about the histamine reactions and the pain deep in the arms if anyone has any suggestions.
Thank you.
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Alchemy8
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Yes you have overdone it...and dropping Pred whilst trying to cope with all you have is really a no,no..in fact many would actually require more, rather than less.
.. and not wishing to sound harsh, why on earth have you let this feeling go on so long.. and not come here for advice?
We would have same as RUH nurse, and earlier in the process to boot... and suggested the usual protocol for a flare initially.. so up to 15mg for at least a week, and then back down just above previous dose.
Have to say as someone who was on 80mg - I didn't explode...
Not sure about the histamine feeling, but your shoulders sound very much like PMR complaining and maybe too much gardening.
It was so slow so could never say it was a flare. Just getting worse recently. Probably described as bucket syndrome.
Not sure what to do to get rid of the feeling of pressure and anxiety in the mid chest/solar plexus re dosage.
I didn’t ask as I felt the question re what is a flare and how to deal with it had been answered a million times before. And it is so hard to describe what is going on as it changes from hour to hour.
Never worry about asking a question - whether it’s been asked before… doesn’t matter.. if it’s worrying you, it’s worrying you and you need it addressed.
You are still under a lot of stress, and probably more than you realise… and anything related to bereavement comes and goes - some of us are well aware of that. So please reach out to us, it’s why we’re are here… and re your Pred, take it now…
" Today since I have been up I have been feeling very revved up and anxious with pain in the central chest. "
And you are talking about shoulder and arm pain - please get checked out for a potential cardiac problem. 999 will do if the GP can't see you NOW. In fact, 999 would be better if they have an ambo ...
NO chest pain should be ignored until it is provedn not to be heart-related. Women present very differently from men. I may be over-egging it but better that than having a heart attack and not knowing.
Thanks PMRpro. OK. It started as a result of taking the pred. Anyway have called an ambulance, taken the aspirins. This has happened about three times before since I have had PMR. They’ve found nothing. Will report back.
Just been checked out at home. No sign of MI and I seem pretty compos re stroke. They have suggested going to the hospital to check if there was historical MI but have declined as the waiting is 10 hours which would add to the stress levels plus the possibility of infections. They are contacting my local duty doctor and will return shortly.
Only thing is that BP is a bit high 175/80 odd. They seem to think it was most likely the pred. Interesting that one of the ambulance men came when my husband had his stroke.
So I am left with what to do about the pred. Should I take my 5gm lunchtime dose which is over due by 3 hours now? Am still experiencing anxiety in the chest area.
I am sure PMRpro's advice is good - it usually is! At least they are contacting your local duty doctor. 175/80 does not seem overly high to me, particularly in the situation in which you find yourself. Had it been me I am sure it would have been much higher. I also think that anxiety is completely understandable. Take care x
Thank you PMRpro and Miserere. I have taken the 5 mgs and have an appointment with my Dr at 8.45 am!! Feel a bit calmer too which is good. Thank you for keeping a watching brief. Xx
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Tapered too fast?
Am I having a flare?
I really have had enough!
Should I increase Pred dose ?
P M R ?
