just wondering… I’ve been coming down from 7mg Pred to 6mg … sort of interspersing doses of 7mg imbetween 6mg as I’m on e/c Pred so can’t split them. I’ve been on this for a two or three weeks and now most days on 6mg and am finding SOME days I’m absolutely fine - very little stiffness or pain, and other days - like today - I’m in hindering discomfort and stiffness ( back, legs, neck etc ). Along with stress etc what I’ve noticed is that if I’ve done a bit more walking or exercise on the previous day I then have trouble the following day which feels like a flare. But the day after that I can be absolutely fine. What I wonder is ….is this mainly due to the exercise and the v diminished muscle strength on Pred and if so how can one reasonably keep up exercise and help muscles without landing oneself back in land of pain, stiffness abd constricted movement? Or do I simply have to increase dose all the time…😰? I hope not …
Intermittent pain…excess exercise cause? - PMRGCAuk
Intermittent pain…excess exercise cause?
Something we often suggest is keeping a diary of activity and symptoms and often you do see a link: you have pain and symptoms after a day when you did more and then, having been forced to rest, you have a better day.
The pred has cured nothing, it is managing the inflammation to reduce the symptoms but the actual disease process isn't affected at all and chugs along in the background affecting your body in much the same way as a severe cold or flu would do. That makes your body tissues delicate and not as able to cope with as much activity as it would without PMR. And pred doesn't help.
The trick is to not overdo it and break bigger activities up into smaller bites - in other words, pacing. I was able to walk far further without payback if I walked half the distance before a good long rest and the other half after, But you need to be realistic about how far you can walk in the first place. Exercise in water is also a good choice - the water supports your muscles and joints but you still get the benefit of exercise.
Thank you. This is really helpful PMR pro and makes total sense as usual. It’s kind of what I suspected. So it’s really all about pacing … yes. Ok. And keeping a diary a v good tip. Many thanks again .
Oh yes - and when you start low and build it up, the REST days are as important as the exercise days!
One further question as this pain/stiffness seems to be persisting all over body - back, neck, legs….Although I’ve been trying to measure exercise/rest etc I havnt been sleeping well which doesn’t help matters. I occasionally take paracetamol but is there anything else in terms of pain killers/aid that can safely be taken alongside Pred which doesn’t interact negatively? I’m due to make a trip to USA soon to see my son and I’m not feeling I’m in ideal state to travel right now. I’m someone who , where possible, will avoid taking extra pills but this situation seems to be calling for help. Also, what is it that’s actually causing the pain that Pred can’t actually help? Is it the depletion of muscle strength due to Pred ? or inflammation in which case why can’t Pred help? I understand that the condition ( either PMR or GCA) is chugging along in background , as you said, but up until now I’ve had very little of the pain and stiffness I’m now experiencing ( while in Pred) so I’m wondering why it’s happening now and why sone days are so much better - or worse! - than others.
What has changed since you were OK? Have you reduced the pred dose? Does the paracetamol help?
Though, believe me - the weather for the last few weeks in the UK won;t have helped!!! I'm better at the forecast that the Met Office!!
Well I reduced from 7 to 6 mg v gradually over last month… but I don’t think that’s necessarily the trouble as sone days are really ok. Paracetamol helps a bit with sleep mainly. I’ve been wondering about the weather actually…. This relentless damp cold uk weather can’t be helping…? And I think you’re absolutely right about being better at the forecast than the Met office!Our bodies can see it coming!!!
I wouldn't rule out that the reduction in dose doesn't underly the problem. Even 1/2mg can make a massive difference. Weather effects vary from day to day as do the after effects of what you have been doing.
Sounds like it is biting back, it likes you to rest, rest, rest and tells you if you have not kept to its rules!!
I didn’t have PMR, just GCA. Even so, when in single figures of Pred and when on zero my muscles and tendons were very unhappy with being made to do more than usual. Like you I would feel it next day and Pred made no difference. If it was a bad one, I could take a week to resolve. It is a case of starting really low and building up. The occasional over do is probably ok, but I’m not so sure about consistently doing a boom and bust routine.
When I had pmr I pushed myself to do around 8000 steps a day.I also was going for physio for my painful hips.My step counter watch died and I didn't replace it,physio course finished and I felt better.Dont push yourself....be gentle but still move.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
To taper tonight or not to taper.
13 days on +5mg but still not completely sorted. Link to covid jab? Also dex scan disappointing.
Flare treatment
Getting over Christmas
How pain free should one be on Pred?
Too much pred?
INTERMITTENT HEAD PAIN
GCA??
New pain Moderation team
