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feeling really anxious

Posted , 7 users are following.

grandmaDylan
grandmaDylan

I Had various bloods tests last week including esr as I have had raised inflamatory markers for at least 14 years. I have fibromyalgia and have increasingly bad pain and fatigue. At the moment I can barely lift my left arm, I have back and hip pain and very very painful knees which I put down to fibro and osteoarthritis. My gp who I have only seen once before as I am new to the practice was happy to try me on prednisone for a week to see what happens. If it doesn't have any effect he will start testing me for possible rhumatoid arthritis. I am feeling ridiculously anxious about starting the steroids though.on the one hand if it proves PMR I dread the thought of long term use but on the other hand I can't cope for much longer with the pain and fatigue. I just want someone to tell me that a week on prednisone won't cause me to become hugely fat and aggressive!

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  • grandmaDylan
    grandmaDylan

    Posted

    Thanks Eileen, the doctor has prescribed me 20mg daily for one week. I have just taken my first dose after dinner. I already have a weight problem and as I have been taking insufficient thyroxine for the last nine months or so I have gained even more. The doctor increased my thyroxine by 50mcg 3 months ago and after another blood test has increased it by another 25mcg last week so hopefully I should start to lose some weight soon. I have had very little appetite for the last few months and couldn't understand the weight gain. I have been given 4x5gm prednisolone should I take them all in one go? The instructions just say take 4 daily. Thanks, Deb
    • EileenH
      EileenH grandmaDylan

      Posted

      It is best to take the entire dose in one go and preferably as early as possible in the morning - that way best mimics the way your body produces its natural cosrticosteroid, cortisol. For most people it also helps reduce the sleep disturbance that often accompanies pred.

      Since you have taken today's dose so late, if it were me I would take tomorrow's dose in the morning, with your breakfast, but only take 15mg tomorrow and then go back to 20mg with breakfast for the rest of the week.

      If it is PMR you will hopefully find a big difference by tomorrow morning - when I picked up my first pack of pred I took 15mg at 10.15am and by 4pm was able to walk downstairs normally and back up - instead of going down one step at a time like toddler and crawling up on hands and knees!

      Then you can start on the weight loss!

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy grandmaDylan

    Posted

    When I first took pred it was like a miracle, as the bulk of the pain just went. It actually took fifteen hours twenty five minutes, while a lot of people are faster than that even. The choice of pred or pain, no contest. You may find the pred has no effect of course which discounts PMR as being the reason for your pain. Let us know what happens.
  • carol16456
    carol16456 grandmaDylan

    Posted

    I was really scared about taking steroids , but pred is different to the type body builders use . I had had pain in neck and shoulders for years and it was only because a different doctor did blood test I was diagnosed . It took a good 3 days for me to feel a good relief but I was started at 15mg so I guess it was a full 3 weeks before every thing felt good , I was worried about weight gain ,fingers very crossed , hasn't happened yet although I am only 5 months into medication . I have had a couple of moments when I have got cross but not without reason .If they work for you come of them really slowly that's one thing these kind people have told me . Keep asking the question on this forum ,you will get answers . Good luck hopefully you will start to be out of pain soon Carol
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy carol16456

      Posted

      If you have not put any weight on in five months you probably should be OK I would have thought. Friends taking steroids put on weight and also developed moon faces in that time. I seem to have been lucky so far too, touch wood. I have tried to cut out simple carbs and gluten as I heard that can cause a moon face. 
  • cindy63197
    cindy63197 grandmaDylan

    Posted

    You'll be so happy to be with less pain if it works.  I certainly did gain weight with prednisone, but not in a week.  I think you'll find a way to come to terms with it if does work for you.
  • grandmaDylan
    grandmaDylan

    Posted

    Thanks for all your replies. I didn't feel any different last night and in fact had a really bad night due to awful pain in my groin going down to my knee, but this is probably my arthritis. This morning felt a bit less pain, took my next dose of prednisolone about 11ish and now seem to feel pretty pain free!!! Shoulder still sore though. Don't know if it's wishful thinking or not. Watch this space!!!! Deb
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