Anxiety

[Harrywogan]

Does anyone else have Anxiety when a low dose of Pred. Xx

[yogabonnie]

Interesting question... I seem to, but I don't know if it is because I have been here done that and failed with low doses 3 or 4 times. I am back at it. yesterday I FORGOT my dose in the morning. )1.5 alternating with 2 and was so anxious and achy... then remembered it and took it in the evening. I dont know if it is the prednisone-adrenal business or worry about it working that causes the anxiety or just life that causes it. But I do have more anxiety. Course it might also be aging.... and what the future holds. On that note we must live to the fullest mustn't we!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There have been several posts in the past asking much the same - and yes, anxiety can be symptom of adrenal insufficiency although not everyone suffers from it. It can also be a esult of higher doses of pred.

At this stge of tapering though, your body struggles to keep up with the lowering of the pred dose and at some point there isn't enough cortisol being produced to make up the dose of pred to what you need, So you experience signs of adrenal insufficiency.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Many, and probably due to adrenals struggling - see link - symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include depression - and although I’m not equating anxiety to depression - it can be connected -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Harrywogan in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL feel bad at the moment but going for a swim Amy way. X

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Harrywogan]

A bit of exercise always helps, if you can manage it.

Hope this period soon passes for you… all the best..

[Sharitone]

Only at night! I wake up with nightmars at about 4am and cannot shake off the anxiety without reading a book. The timing has made me wonder if it anything to do with release of inflammatory substances.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

Low cortisol is also associated with dreams ...

[Harrywogan in reply to PMRpro]

Well my dreams are mental, wish I had a recorder in my head love when mum and dad are in them, x

[Timek in reply to Harrywogan]

Ive started having really weird vivid dreams when i eventually get to sleep. Quite worrying. Im currently on 7.5 and starting reducing slowly to 7mg. Glad I'm not the only one!!

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

Dreams would be one thing. Nightmares are another!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

The degree of dream seems to vary!!!

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

I would do anything to have nicer ones.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

I have never remembered mine since I was about 17 ...

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

let me know your secret!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

No idea!!! I had a recurrent nightmare until it became reality with my father's death, They stopped and I never remember any now.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Nor me really - although I did go through some very strange and upsetting ones for about 6 -9 months after OH died. Put that down to part of the bereavement process - wasn’t on low enough Pred for it to be associated with adrenals.

[Noni71]

I too have started to experience the same feelings of anxiety on 6mg as I did on 40mg. For me, things that should be enjoyable, cause me so much anxiety that I find I dread doing anything, even looking after grandchildren! I thought it might be linked with starting Leflunomide but I think it's likely to be adrenals. Dreams are really bizarre and I too would like to record them. This stage of tapering is difficult to deal with for me. Hope it passes fairly quickly!

[Harrywogan in reply to Noni71]

Hi Noni, you sound just like me,IAM on 2 mg, and feeling stressed, but going for a swim and then coffee need to get out,IAM like you hoping it doesn't last long, good luck xx

[LoveMygarden29]

hello 😊 Swimming works well for me, also Radio 3 Music & Meditation podcasts…plenty to choose from..10 minutes or a longer version if you prefer. Don’t be put off by it being Radio 3!! X

[Noni71]

Initially I was prescribed Propranolol, a Betablocker, for anxiety, rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure when I started Prednisolone at 40mg. I’ve managed to taper off these virtually but think I might have to start taking them again!

[PMRnewbie2017]

I don't have anxiety but I turn into a real nutcase in a stressful situation. I used to be really calm in an emergency. Now I go to pieces and my inability to be rational is really quite funny if I look back on myself. Like all things it will pass, and it does.