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PMR still winded in morning 1 year later

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Woodrow
Woodrow

I have had PMR for over a year.   Started at 20mg Pred. down to 3mg at this point.  I wake up feeling winded and like I has punched in the stomach.  Before PMR had good energy and was athletic.  Does the fatigued feeling minimize in time or do I need to build my strength little by little.  My girlfriend feels I am slacking and cant understand my lack of energy.

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  • gail39791
    gail39791 Woodrow

    Posted

    Woodrow,

    I have found that sometimes I just need to take a day of rest to get my strength back. There is always the underlying fatigue, but as you probably know, there are gradations. Hopefully, the overwhelming fatigue that you probably experience when you were first diagnosed has been lessened by the prednisone. You probably are not deconditioned. For example, I can still walk several flights of stairs without getting winded even though my muscles do not like it much. If the fatigue is so bad that it is stopping you from doing things, you probably need a higher dose. If it feels like there are wearing ankle weights and arm weights, and you have given the current dose a reasonable try (2 weeks), then go up a little in your dose. Even 1/2 mg can make a huge difference!

    Good luck! 

  • rusty49
    rusty49 Woodrow

    Posted

    I totally agree with Eileen H - exercise is important but so is moderation.  You/your body need to rest when tired.  Because PMR is an auto-immune disease, diet is very important.  A good anti-inflammatory diet will help avoid/reduce PMR symptoms and boost your energy.  At 69, I am active and stay in shape but listen to my body and avoid stressful situations (mental and physical).   Best of luck!
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