fatique
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello everyone, Have been feeling much better pain and weakness wise since increasing Pred. to 20 mg. Tiredness remains a problem. Went away last week to my sons. 1 hr flight and of course 1 hour 2 hrs before and after, getting through airport and driving to destination. Next day spent the day at my 9 year old granddaughter 2nd riding show ever. Some walking. 3rd day off with daughter-in law, 9 year old and 13 year old to Canadas wonderland amusment park. Used a walker there but gone from 10 to 4, then at 6 pm off to watch the 9 year olds riding lesson. Fun Fun Fun but I paid for it with 2 days of exhaustion and having to nap frequently on those days. Does this happen to others. I no you are supposed to pace yourself but sometimes it is hard. Do some of you push yourself more when feeling exhausted. Wondering if I should be doing that. Through the winter before diagnosis it was difficult sometimes even to find the energy to shower and wash my hair. At least I can do that now. Again just wondering if this is relatively normal with this condition.
0 likes, 25 replies
mimi1950 carol_ann35477
Posted
It's normal, Carol Ann, to have spikes in energy level with PMR and Prednisone. Sometimes I feel a burst of energy and I could go on and on and if I don't force myself to rest, I pay for it the next few days with sore muscles and fatigue. It's got me into a lot of trouble, thinking I had some other condition or a flare, before I learned about pacing and not over doing. When something extraordinary comes up, though, like travelling or a family event, I was advised on here to take a little more pred to compensate for the extra stress and muscle exsertion. It works really well for me.
Your visit with your family sounds like fun!
Twopies mimi1950
Posted
After you take the extra pred, how long do you stay at the higher dose? Then how do you reduce again? Do you use the dsns method again, or just drop back all at once to where you were? I just went up to 6 mg; am staying on it for a month because I'm feeling a little better...so do I use the dsns method once the month is up to get down to 5 1/2, or would you just immediately start with 5 1/2 and see what happens! Thanks!
Mrs_Hobbles Twopies
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Twopies Mrs_Hobbles
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Oh, thanks! I gotta remember this....
it took me longer than 5 days to recover from the setback, so looks like I'm doomed to returning to the dsns method when it comes to the next reduction. I know it's not a race but...it's hard (as you and everyone on here knows all too well).
celia14153 carol_ann35477
Posted
celia14153 carol_ann35477
Posted
This totally mirrors my own experience. I was with my grandson of two and using muscles differently, even went kayaking for a little while, came home to a duvet day. I was tapering to 18mgs but went back to 20 for a couple of days before starting again. It's hard to pace on a 'good' day but it definitely helps. Sometimes life takes over and is not perhaps a bad thing in terms of making you feel good - as long as you get a chance to restore!
Mrs_Hobbles carol_ann35477
Posted
Definitely does happen Carol! You most definitely pay after exerting yourself too much. The ideal is to pace yourself and not get into a situation where you exhaust yourself but life happens and sometimes situations arise where you just have to push yourself past your limits and then unfortunately you pay for it. You could increase your dose for a few days and see if it takes the worst of it away or rest, rest, rest and catch up on yourself! Sounds like you'd a fantastic time with your family and sometimes it's worth pushing yourself at times like that and great for them to see you so well!
EileenH carol_ann35477
Posted
All that will happen if you push yourself beyond your limits is you will end up good for nothing for days - and if you REALLY overdo it there are people who have taken weeks to recover AND have developed a flare that meant they had to go back to the beginning.
But the fatigue won't respond to extra pred nor will sore muscles of the sort you get after too much exercise. Pred helps the PMR, nothing else. The fatigue has to be managed by pacing.
Yes, I know it is hard, yes, I know we all want to be back to the normal we were pre-PMR. But that isn't going to happen - and in order to live best with PMR you have to know your limitations and stick to them. Long term it will improve if you work at it slowly - but you can't jump in and run a marathon when you have only been training by walking round the block.
carol_ann35477 EileenH
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Twopies carol_ann35477
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A year ago when I was in agony (before diagnosed) I hired a personal yoga instructor who specialized in chronic pain and...she came to my house. Gave me 4 little moves that I can do laying on my bed. Helpful but many days I can't even do them. So I would say try to find someone who knows about pain, if you can. Hope this helps.
Anhaga carol_ann35477
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Michdonn Anhaga
Posted
I agree Anhaga, just do something, rest and try to do it again. I like to do that morning and evening, just do it. And try to increase it after several days or a week, all at your pace!
Listen to your body. Keep smiling 🙂
EileenH carol_ann35477
Posted
Just start with walking - which is what Michdonn did just s few months ago after rising from his wheelchair!
Twopies EileenH
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Thank you for this...I was feeling so bad when I read that people can go to classes, get trainers, etc. worried my head off...I could never power through a class with this pmr...yesterday I walked 8300 steps--my limit--in 4 little batches, today I'm crippled. Not pain, just stiff and weak. Hard to accept, as I'm sure you know.
EileenH Twopies
Posted