Why am I getting told to take antideppressants

They aren't necessarily being offered as antidepressants - they are used for nerve pain in various situations and in fibromyalgia as well. So if your doctor doesn't think your symptoms are PMR but fibromyalgia or something else he will try them.

Being cynical - I'm left to wonder if maybe he's just had a visit from the drug rep whose job it is to flog this stuff... 

I was on Cymbalta for several years. I switched over to Savella which was similiar to Cymbalta but much cheaper. I really didn't receive any help or pain relief while taking this drug.  After being in chronic pain for 12 years due to 2 failed back surgeries I started taking Prednisone a few months ago (15mg) daily and am now 95% pain free.

They can be used for nerve pain.In my case rheumatologist said I had a degree of nerve pain associated with my PMR.Amitryptiline 3hours before bed plus painkillers at bedtime have increased my quality of sleep

Yesterday my doctor started me on Celexa. I cannot tell if that helps at all. I am allergic to Lyrica but nothing I have tried is helping. My pain is so intense and I am getting discouraged as well. Have you found anything that helps. I am also itching all the time. Have you been bothered with that? I really need something to give me a little relief. 

Did the doctor say why you were being offered these drugs as possible alternatives to prednisone?  

I've just come back from a very relaxing holiday with lots of time to read.  On my Kobo happen to be two books about Vitamin K2 and one about osteoporosis and natural treatments versus big pharma meds.  I had read all three before, but only with the osteoporosis in mind.  When I re-read them thinking more about how everything in the body works together I was struck by how things that can lead to PMR can also be associated with OP, and vice versa.  Inflammation is a common factor. It's astonishing that so little attention is paid to how we eat when treatments are devised for the various ailments we moderns suffer from.  

my Rheumy prescribed Cymbalta also. It's for depression but also Fibro and muscle and nerve pain. He thought it would help reduce Pred. I didn't fill it. Last thing I need is to add a drug that messes with my head. Haha. I had a bad experience with Lyrica and gabapentin.

Pred may have its issues but, for sure, I'll take those side effects over the others no question. 😊

I had two doctors suggest, and one prescribe Lyrica for the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome involvement with my injured wrist.

So I felt that I could have written all of what EileenH said, exactly.

By the way, I declined to fill the priscription for the Lyrica, and my wrist issues resolved eventually, shortly after I re-injured it curiously enough.

I could imagine a stimulant drug having a positive effect on PMR if it was enough to get a person off of the couch and active much of the day. I am of course referring to the patient already receiving a proper dose of prednisone.

I drink coffee for that sort of stimulation, but I have noticed that it has almost no effect whenever my pred dosage was a bit too low. Regardless, I try to be active whenever I have the energy to be active.

I was also offered anti-depressants last week by my lovely doctor, who said like Eileen has, that they help with nerve pain as well...I do have Fibro as well as PMR, but I can`t tolerate them...she said I`m not offering them because  think you`re depressed...I know of people taking Amyltryptaline (spelling?) and it has helped with their pain For Fibro)....I wouldn`t care what the tablet is called if it eased my pain and  could tolerate it!....Good luck....

 

If the Dr wants you to stop taking pred and start taking Lyrica or Cymbalta then the Dr clearly thinks you have something other than PMR. Pred is the only thing that 'works' for PMR (and by works I mean helps with the pain etc)

I take Lyrica as well as pred as my Dr thinks i have fibro or myofacial pain syndrome....it's used as a pain killer (and also helps me sleep).