How do I control the stress/anxiety caused by PMR

If I have something (stressful) coming up and I was suppose to reduce, I don't, I stay on the dose for the time that I think I need.

You can try cutting down by a half mg.  Also you need to pace yourself and rest, rest and more rest.  All the best.  Pat

For most of us it is the knowledge that saves us the anxiety. Arm yourself with knowledge and then you know what is going on.

The fatigue is something you will have to manage yourself - the pred manages the aches, pains and stiffness but you must learn to pace yourself and rest to manage the fatigue. It may mean planning a nap time during the day so that the later part of the day is also OK. We often suggest googling the spoons theory by Christina Miseriando - very relevant. Or I suggest reading a blog called Despite Lupus by Sara Gorman - not the same disease but a similar problem and she writes very well about it.

No it won't always be like this unless you are VERY unlucky - I've had PMR for 10 years, 5 years on pred and am down to 5mg. I'm off to China tomorrow. There are things I don't do but mostly I can do anything provided I'm not silly. PMR often burns out after a few years and you are back pretty much to normal.

If you have a flare there isn't really any need to go right back to 20mg, for most people adding 5mg to the dose you had the flare at for a few weeks is enough and you can also usually go back to just above the flare dose quite quickly as a result. Once you know more about the disease you will manage it better.

if you didn't have PMR and had a headache you wouldn't panic while waiting to see a neurologist - in terms of anything else that isn't any different. A mild headache isn't what most people say, they describe it as "the worst headache of my life" or "a headache like no other". You are most likely to have other symptoms and feel quite ill. If you have any visual symptoms then go straight to your rheumatologist or the ER but otherwise - maybe it is just the anxiety that is causing the headache? 

PMR affects people over the age of 50. Are all your complaints from PMR and Pred or could some be just your age and lack of exercise? I understand I will get blasted for this but seriously, I have other problems, female issues and Plantar Faschitis that I know aren't PMR related. When I was off the Pred last summer my foot was worse basically because the Pred was relieving my pain. I use to be a runner. 😙. I read lots of complaints, but for me the Pred is a lifesaver, with it I'm my old self. Again, realize we are more active than our parents and grandparents, we're going to feel it!

am being admitted.  Suddenly can't walk, extremely weal and lighthearted 

nauseated. Still slight headache.  

Dont know the problem but it all took place about 45 min after taking prednisone.

When you are well and able to respond, I was wondering if this was your usual dose of pred, and if it was from the same batch that you have been using for a while(?).

A bad response to medication might be a faulty product.

The problem with feeling anxious is its hard to tell if what we are anxious about is real or not. Difficult to know what will go away and what needs a trip to the doctor. And the pred robbed me of some objectivity so it became harder.

I found simply that time, getting used to how my body reacts differently with PMR/Pred, and knowledge about the condition and medication. I've found managing the pred side effects as hard as the PMR.

As time went by I became more confident about what was happening, After 18 months it all now feels reasonably predictable. I also found a sense that the PMR is retreating, I could reduce the pred, and feel my energy levels increasing,

Its taken a bit of effort to stay positive. That seems to be important. Laugh at it, think positive thoughts. Don't stop doing things, just pace oneself. Manage oneself around it, don't let it take over.

Being mindful that things can go wrong of course. I hope you are not long in hospital.

i will be leaving the hospital today.

because of a bunch of misinformation being passed around to doctors by doctors things got very complicated until I could get it straightened out with my GP.  Since my rheumy isn't on the staff at thins place he was getting third hand information.  Besides most of the hospital saff haven't a clue what 

PMR  is.  It's frustrating!

i did not let them increase my press until I saw the vascular surgeon who is very familiar with GCA.  He advised against the biopsy at this time feeling it was not necessary after his examination and consultation.  But he and the rheumy will stay on top of it.  You only get one good chance for that biopsy and if it is negative there is no chance of having a good one it done again if necessary.   

Why hey the weakness in my legs yesterday, no one knows but I was able to walk last night.   I think I let my stress get the best of me as before this I was extremely healthy and active working daily with contractors overseeing their work and restoring houses.  That in itself is a stress and the PMR on top of it causes me to have Panic Attacks.