very depressed, overly sensitive

Nandruff, firstly if you are feeling so depressed then you must pay a visit to your dr. Depression is corrosive and destructive and if you cannot dig yourself out of this then you will need some help. There is a thread ongoing (I don't know how to refer you to it, sorry!). But it's about accepting this condition and everything that goes with it.

for you, remember you beat it once before, and you can beat it again. Regards, tina

I am so sorry to hear about your depression. I am 63 years old and have been on pred for 7 months for PMR. Before that I tried to deal with the pain with natural remedies (turmeric, green drinks and acupuncture)...Nothing worked and in the end I was feeling lack of focus and so much pain and stiffness and just a whole body feeling of unwellness that I tried pred and had INSTANT relief (and felt such a wonderful sense of well being which gradually diminished as I tapered)

i am feeling very well - no side effects and am on my second week of 7.5....

So, hearing that you've been hit twice with PMR and with no symptoms the first time..and now this..its so scary.....what a crazy disease!!

I would suggest you see your Dr. and also get some counselling or talk with friends.....or your children......

Take care and may you find some relief!

Hi nandruff, the thread is called, dexa scan and AA dilema. Enter this into the search thousands of discussions and hopefully that should take you to the discussion. All the best, tina

You're fortunate you have no pain. Enjoy that!  Enjoy your grandchildren, they'll love it and remember it.  Look for something to volunteer for, it will get you "out of yourself."  Take walks and get out in nature, helps lift depression.  I did feel very depressed last month before I was dx with PMR, now on 40 mg. of prednisone, feel great and happy, only a little hand and ankle cramping and feel I have a lot to live for.  I do get worried sometimes especially in the middle of the night about what is going to happen to me, but that soon passes.  You are still quite young so try to enjoy the moments!  Good luck!!!

You need to contact your doctor asap as it is possible that the prednisolone could be the cause of your suicidal thoughts

Yes, Nanduff, I thnk I've been there. I've had a series of depressive moments in my life.  Although I'm pretty down from time to time right now, I am not in a suicidal state.  I have never taken any medication because I know the reason for my depression is always loneliness.  However I did learn something about suicide.  Once, when I was very young (about 21) I deliberately stepped in front of a car.  I have never forgotten the look of horror on the woman driver's face as she avoided me and I understood how utterly selfish that gesture of mine had been.  Much later, I must have been in my mid to late 40s, my youngest child in school, I had not yet found a job, I had my method of doing myself in all planned, and then I thought of that youngest child and realized what a terrible thing it would be to do to him.  And to the rest of the family, for that matter.  Whatever life feels like right now, the important thing is that suicide would only punish the people left behind.  Those grandchildren whom you love and who love you.  If there is any solace for me in being ill with this unpleasant disease and its accompanying side effects, it's that I have very full days looking after myself!  It's been hard for me because there was a sort of perfect storm of stressful things happening, which probably brought PMR into its full flower, not least of which was retirement.  It has been nearly 13 months since my last shift at work, and I still miss it and the superficial companionship from being with my congenial co-workers. I can't imagine  how hard it has been for you facing ill health without your life's companion.  But you are definitely not alone.

 

Hey kid come on we're upright n breathing..it's not the nicest thing to have pmr n yes it has side effects half of which I am sure haven't even been found yet.... Grandkids ....how lucky are you....I just have to be walking along n start getting dizzy n yes am now enjoying getting rid of the 12kg in weight I have put on n still have pmr but I won't let it beat me....live is to short as it is to waste ....I am divorced as well n understand loneliness but you can work ya way through that.....maybe using the gkids as the driver..hope this helps

I wish I had grandkids.  I only have grand kitties.

Nanduff,

I too am on my second round of PMR. Starting my 3rd year on Prednizone. My first year I noticed no side affects from the Prednizone. My second year, the bruising, mood changes gradually became more noticeable. Now starting my 3rd year my muscle tone is shrinking and I'm starting to feel my age unlike before. I am 62 yrs old and a widow now for 9 years. I have 4 grown daughters and 4 beautiful grandchildren and one more next year! I have a live in boyfriend for 2 years now but even with that there are times I feel sad. Just this week I had foot surgery and in 2 weeks have an intensive hysterectomy and rectocele surgery. His presence here is no help at all. I'm beginning to think there's not a man out there that can nurture. I'm always taking care of everyone, I just want someone to take care of me! I still find myself doing it all because it's easier than watching someone's eyes roll when asked to help.

Your depression is understandable, and I'm sure related to the Prednizone. I'm sure mine is.

If this continues with me I will seek medical help. I know stress feeds PMR, that's how I got in this mess.

So hang in there! Blame it on the meds! I have my ups and downs too! I'm usually a very up beat person, but it doesn't take much to bring me down!

You have to go to your GP and tell him what you have told us. Depression is depression - whether it is secondary to pred or due to anything else. It can be helped - either with talking therapies or with medication but you must face up to it and get help. I know - facing up to it when you are depressed is difficult but none of us can do it for you, you have to take the first steps.

The head confusion is probbaly the pred, it is also probably not helping the depression - but you need the pred for now so you have to get things sorted out a bit.

Go on - make the appointment on Monday morning. And ask someone to look after the bottle of Ativan for the moment.

You'll be fine - as long as you act. And let us know how you get on.

Nanduff, You have already started helping yourself by taking the trouble and time to post here. That can't have been easy. The best thing you can do now is to talk to someone who can really help. Here on this forum you'll get so much support and we can share our experiences, but you need someone who is really familiar with depression and how to help with this. Please do this and tell us how it all went. We'll all be thinking of you.

Take care,  J