Can you have a flare without the pain and stiffness but affecting your breathing?
Posted , 7 users are following.
hi, I was diagnosed with pmr in April with esr level 35.normal at last blood test, I was started on 15mg of prednisolone for a month which miraculously took away all the pain and stiffness then told to drop down to 12.5 which was fine, gradually went down to 11.5 by end of July using .5 reduction. I thought I was doing really well but now it seems every time I have the slightest bit of stress or I overdo things I get really bad flu symptoms, still no pain but burning up, no high temperature but on fire all over!
Went to G.P yesterday as I had difficulty taking a deep breath especially wakes me up at night (no pain) just bad discomfort. She said I might have a chest infection as my breathing was lrestricted and prescribed amoxicillin, which so far haven't made any difference, I also upped my pred to 12.5 GP said to stick at that but hasn't changed anything. The question is should I have gone back to 15mg and start again, much slower? Will that get rid of the flu symptoms? Hope someone can help me on this very helpful site!
2 likes, 8 replies
linda06830 marilyn84391
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patricia59727 marilyn84391
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tina-uk_cwall marilyn84391
Posted
although I accept flu symptoms and fatigue are side effects of PMR/preds, example, breathlessness can be caused by low iron levels and flu like symptoms to infections. You have been prescribed an antibiotic for a suspected chest infection and so you will have to allow a little longer than than a day to experience real improvements there.
i think your reduction regime thus far has been textbook but upping your preds to the last dose whereby you felt well will not do you any harm, and we are advised to up our preds if we are unwell anyway.
why don't you go back to your Dr and request a blood test just to be on the safe side re inflamation, iron levels.
regards, tina
marilyn84391 tina-uk_cwall
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tina-uk_cwall marilyn84391
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MrsO-UK_Surrey marilyn84391
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Feeling feverish can point to flaring inflammation but whether due to an actual PMR flare or to a lurking virus or infection is difficult to say. If what you describe as "burning up" is hot flushes, that can be a common side effect of Pred, which some people can experience worse than others.
You were wise to seek help with the breathing issue - that is not something I experienced or have heard about from others. If your GP is right and it is a chest infection then that could account for your symptoms including the "burning up". It is a little soon for the Amoxycillin to work but certainly if you have no relief in your breathing by tomorrow, if it was me I would contact the GP again, and she should investigate further to see if there is anthing else going on such as a gastric problem causing your discomfort. In the meantime, try drinking warm water containing a few squeezes of lemon juice, and a teaspoonful of Manuka honey.
I do hope you feel better soon and do come back and let us know.
marilyn84391 MrsO-UK_Surrey
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Booklady25 marilyn84391
Posted
Good luck
annie