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Mood changes with GCA and PMR on Prednisolone are well documented...

Posted , 15 users are following.

misdiagnose
misdiagnose

but what causes them?

Is it due to a lack of clear diagnosis and treatment? Is it due to threatening disability that causes anxiety and depression? Is it poor sleep and tiredness which is attributed to Prednisolone? Is it the difficulty of a definite dosage titration to prevent ups and downs of the illness process? Is it the doctors who can be inadequate, scornful or rude? Is it that the action of the prednisolone itself causes increased stress responses which have a knock on effect?

If you have any ideas about this, it is useful to share them because many of the above, and other suggestions equally as possible, can be addressed.

Your comments will help with an article I am writing for a magazine article.

 

2 likes, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • misdiagnose
    misdiagnose

    Posted

    The fact that this post has had so many comments and votes means that it is an important topic. Many people with PMR/GCA have told me that their illness came on after a period of intense stress, such as bereavement, move of home, divorce, onset of another illness, etc., Certainly all illnesses are made worse through stress. Anything which alleviates stress will reduce discomfort. It is important to ask for help. Many are not in an ideal position to cope with disability and the anxiety which accompanies this illness - they might live alone for instance or be a carer for another family member. Make sure your needs are met, or at least as many as can be. There are all kinds of local amenities that should be advertised at your public library or in your local paper. If anyone has any good suggestions that other forum users might find useful, please list your ideas and suggestions. 
  • Guest
    Guest misdiagnose

    Posted

    Stress is such a huge factor with inflammatory conditions. My doc has helped me with a few ideas as has reading. He wants me on the treadmill no more than 10 minutes a day right now instead of pushing myself too hard. I have just discovered the benefits of meditation, the type you can do anywhere like when driving down the road or chopping carrots. Deep breathing has been mentioned and I am now a believer. Watching a chick flick, calm movie as opposed to bad news TV can help near bedtime. Of course what works for one does not work for another but I am looking for new stress relievers! Ann11195
    • misdiagnose
      misdiagnose Guest

      Posted

      That's excellent advice Ann. I think feel good films are good for me and I often find one in the mid afternoon on TV even though I often dose off to sleep and miss the plot, who cares! Everyone can find something that suits them. We live in amazing times when there is access to everything, and most is reasonably priced and affordable. Patients with GCA can have heart difficulties and too much physical stress can put a strain on their heart.
  • EileenH
    EileenH misdiagnose

    Posted

    PMR/GCA themselves also cause mood swings that are little different from those described by many patients and ascribed to the effect of pred. Mine were notably worse in the 5 years pre-pred than they have been in the 5 years post-pred. It isn't registered because there are not that many people who spend a long period with PMR/GCA with and without pred. 

    Many people have described "side-effects of pred" that were all too familiar to me but I had had them without ever having taking even one tablet of pred. And everyone is different - there are over 82 listed pred side effects. No-one gets them all, some get very few. The extreme mood swings are more likely in people who have a family history of depressive mood - but can go far beyond that.

    • misdiagnose
      misdiagnose EileenH

      Posted

      We only get about 10 mins for a consultation with our GP so we want to make the best use of this time. I write down my symptoms which I think relate to my GCA, so I don't forget to mention them. And any questions (which are never properly answered). I also say, 'what do I need to look out for?' and this is never properly answered either but needs to be asked as it might mean a special appointment. Providing the preds have relieved my symptoms, I'm happy and prepared to try a .5 reduction on alternate days now I'm down to 7mg. It's a long process, but I didn't get these illnesses overnight so I don't expect a miracle cure. I'm learning how to work with it, and resting when I need to.
    • misdiagnose
      misdiagnose EileenH

      Posted

      Actually, nothing. I was replying to someone else but I should have put their name on it. I didn't hit the 'reply' to your post so I'm not sure how it went to yours. It seems a bit chaotic if someone replies to one post and it goes to another. I suppose you can ask members to make a new discussion for a new topic but there is no way of controling people. Anyone can write whatever they like - and do! Some far more inappropirate this!
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