Flare or hiccup or stress?

[Miserere]

I have been on 7mg Pred since mid May (I had got down to 6mg but had to increase) and now seem unable to reduce any further. There are times I've felt good and thought now could be the time, but then something happens to increase the fatigue, the vision is not quite as clear (one eye is weaker than the other) and there is mild background aching. I recently had blood tests that looked OK so thought I might manage a small reduction. I always get stuck somewhere between 5 and 7mg for some reason.

My question is can stress by itself cause a flare? We are trying to move house, never a straight-forward process, but lately things outside our control are conspiring against us. My brain has gone into overdrive as I am trying to think of solutions and ways around what we face. I am, by nature, a problem solver so am constantly working away at each problem in my mind.

At present my thigh muscles feel weak when I go for my daily walk or on the exercise bike - tired is perhaps a better word. Lots of the muscles around my neck, shoulders and back also feel tired as if they can't quite be bothered to make any effort. Occasional muffled headache feelings that move around - not settled in one place. Oh, I do hate this disease and the steroids ... however, onward and upwards as always. I met two others who have also been stuck around 7mg - one has now moved on and is reducing to 4.5mg this week, so there is hope.

If anyone has any advice/knowledge to offer then I would be grateful.

[piglette]

It sounds like you might have the deadly fatigue as well as the other things. It is caused by the adrenal glands having to wake up and they think it is a bad idea! I found I had to stay several months at one doze. I found even picking up a mug was an effort. I was like a zombie!

[Miserere in reply to piglette]

Oh, piglette - I'm so sorry - that sounds awful. I do really hate this disease and the steroids that are so hard to get off - at least for me. I shall stay at 7mg a while longer and see what happens. I'm beginning to wonder how I think I shall manage a house move, but it is necessary.

[piglette in reply to Miserere]

You could always increase a bit to get through the move so you do not have the fatigue.

[Miserere in reply to piglette]

Will see how it goes -we're only just at the beginning now - could be a long haul but hope not.

[piglette in reply to Miserere]

If you feel tired just STOP and rest, don’t overdo things. Good luck.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

My question is can stress by itself cause a flare?

Most definitely... and to that end I'd be inclined to stay on current dose until move is done with... you have enough to cope with without thinking about tapering. A longer stay at 7mg might help the adrenals as well..

[Miserere in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you, DL. Yes, you are probably right. So frustrating .....

[Nextoneplease]

Hello Misere and I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties.

I too am stuck at 7mg, have the fatigue and have today I think started a flare directly related to stress. I have a lot going on all over the place, but specifically my daughter has had to go to the authorities about her abusive partner and I have a official role monitoring our grandson’s welfare. Stressful 😳

Anyway I’ve stuck to 7mg for a year and today have taken 10mg to try to deal with the flare.

Sympathy and good luck to you xx

[Miserere]

So sorry to hear of you stressful situation and I hope that the increase solves the immediate problem for you. If only we could get off the roundabout of life for a while and let ourselves heal. You have my sympathy and my very best wishes. x

[Nextoneplease in reply to Miserere]

Thank you Miserere

Me too! I just can’t seem to get off that treadmill and rest as I know I should….in fact I find it all to exhausting even to write about it…

Hugs and good luck to you xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You are never tapering relentlessly to zero - you are looking for the lowest effective dose and it sounds to me as if you got there. It doesn't mean you won't get lower - just not yet.

But I think you are underestimating the effect stress can have on PMR and adrenal function. You are on that roundabout of life - and if you weren't, things might feel very different!