PMR, Prednisone, Fatigue
Posted , 4 users are following.
i am 3+ years into PMR. About a month ago I was attempting a DSNS taper from 7-1/2m to 7m. Barely got into the second week and I flared. I went up to 9m for several days, then down to 8m...thought I had caught the flare, judging from the pain. I have stayed at 8m now for 2+ weeks, cut way down on activity but I wake up with more pain and I am totally fatigued. This has not happened to me before. Typically I catch the flare & stabilize.
Did I not go high enough to catch the flare?...should I up the dose u til the pain and fatigue are gone?...or wait it out, see if my adrenals catch up?
Thank you!
0 likes, 11 replies
EileenH kathy67492
Posted
There are two reasons for flares - one is because you overshot the right dose. But sometimes the activity of the underlying autoimmune disorder increases while you are on a stable dose and you have already passed the dose that would manage it. I had a flare like that last year - had been fine on 5mg for months and months, had tried 4mg, also good, but 3.5mg wasn't. I went back to 5mg and had been there again for at least a couple of months when all of a sudden I couldn't walk up even a slight slope without gasping for breath, It was a few weeks before the typical muscle and hip pain reappeared. I needed 15mg to get it managed and it was a few months before I could reduce back to 10mg. I'm still at 6mg (only just) now over ayear on.
Are you sure you haven't got anything else going on? A UTI, a cold, been doing more than usual?
kathy67492 EileenH
Posted
I think what you describe is what is happening to me. I think I will go to 9m for a couple of days and see how I feel...?? If anything I feel I have reduced my activity level too much...no tennis..no golf..no glass of wine!
Stress level is always a variable for me. I do not think I have anything else going on. I need to accept the fact that, like you, I have to go to the dose I need, when I need it...then taper back down. I need the prednisone dose for quality of life...I am not so worried about the long-term effects..I seemingly don't have many side-effects from this drug. When I am "down", I am "down".
I appreciate your input, Eileen...I know how long and hard you have struggled. Without your story I would almost think there was something wrong with my prednisone medication!
EileenH kathy67492
Posted
paulszak kathy67492
Posted
pain. I have read good results on another support group that indicates success.
I am currenlty tapering from 20 to 15mg and I find that curcumin supplements
help control pain and stiffness.
Paul
kathy67492 paulszak
Posted
Thank you Paul....I have not tried curcumin...will give it a go, although I don't know if I can fit any more supplements in my pillbox😊
karenjaninaz kathy67492
Posted
Kathy, Ibteued a purified form of Curcumin before I was diagnosed. It didn't help me but I was found to be anemic for the first time. I searched the scientific literature and found Curcumin removes iron from the body and is not recommended in inflammatory diseases.
EileenH kathy67492
Posted
Do check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking curcurmin/turmeric to be sure you aren't taking medications or other supplements it should not be mixed with.
Anhaga kathy67492
Posted
It seems almost too easy, but I find if I miss my evening cup of ginger tea (about 1 tsp grated fresh ginger brewed in boiling water for at least 15 minutes) I notice it the next day, so I think it must have some small beneficial effect. It's in the same family as turmeric but I haven't heard of any contraindications.
karenjaninaz Anhaga
Posted
It does render stomach acid blockers less effective according to the literature and my personal experience.
Anhaga karenjaninaz
Posted
Well, not good for everyone then. Thankfully I don't have those contraindications.
Read this on an arthritis site : "Studies: In a 2012 in vitro study, a specialized ginger extract called Eurovita Extract 77 reduced inflammatory reactions in RA synovial cells as effectively as steroids."
EileenH Anhaga
Posted
There are a few natural antiinflammatory substances that are probably not good ideas for people on anticoagulant therapy - although it will depend on the anticoagulant, warfarin derivatives are the worst for dietary problems. But the amount in foods probably isn't too bad - it is the higher doses in supplements.