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Stress

Posted , 9 users are following.

paula63201
paula63201

I am to reduce Prednisone from 9 mg to 8/9/8/9 starting tomorrow and am wondering whether this is a good idea at this time. (My rheumy had wanted me to drop from 10/9/10 9 down to 8 and then after two weeks to 7.) I balked at that and she agreed to 10/9/10/9 for several weeks to 9 and then 9/8/9, etc. ). My last SED rate, a month ago, was normal and am feeling quite well. The reason I am balking, is that a difficult work situation over which I have no control and which cannot be changed, has left me in a lot of stress, so that I am not sleeping. I wake up at 1:30 am after 3-4 hours and cannot get back to sleep. I start work at 8, work full time and have a very full life, otherwise. So, should I wait until I have mentally and emotionally  adjusted to the new situation at work before I reduce the Prednisone? (Hoping I can get my hed around it fast: trying yoga and other stuff to calm down the spinning thoughts in my head).

1 like, 42 replies

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  • ptolemy
    ptolemy paula63201

    Posted

    My surgery had an excellent GP who also worked at the rheumatology department at the local hospital. She told a friend of mine with PMR that he should only reduce by half a mg a month maximum and he said he had no problems at all and that I should do the same and not be pressured to go faster. Sadly that GP has now left. 
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 ptolemy

      Posted

      Hi Ptolemy

      I hear you about having a good doctor that recognizes all your concerns.  I had been dealing with a wonderful Rheumatologist for various reasons and he retired.  I wasn't that happy with the  Rheumi and have decided to go to a new one that I've had many good referrals from friends and family.  So far so good.  Are you currently seeing a new one? And if so, do you like how they are working with you?

      Wishing you well,

      Frustrated

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy frustrated61

      Posted

      I do not see my rheumatologist very much now as I was diagnosed nine months ago and have no other problems. My GP is actually a trainee, but is very assertive, my previous GP who was great, left at the end of July. I am hoping that the current GP will improve, I have so far only seen her once and she gave me an incorrect prescription, luckily picked up by the pharmacist. 
  • frustrated61
    frustrated61 paula63201

    Posted

    Hi Paula ~

    I'm curious if you or anyone on this thread has tried water therapy?  In case you haven't, I'd like to point out the benefits of it.  First, the water is usually 95 or a bit warmer (where I've gone it's 98 degrees thus making it easier on the body and muscles don't tighten up. Second, movement underwater makes our bodies feel weightless.  It's much easier to be able to be flexible.  Following that therapy and while your body/muscles/bones are all warmed up, perhaps a mild session of yoga, then back to the water.  The entire process is approx. an hour 15 mins.  Most people do a program for an hour or better in some cases where no health issues are present.

    I think this could help alleviate stress either before work or after.  This is just a thought.   Another thought, if you just do the  water therapy after work, you'll go home with less stress and you take the rest of the night at your own pace, perhaps this can help with your sleep issues  thus helping with your add'l stress you are under at work. I hope you find something that gives you comfort.

    Good Luck and I wish you well,

    Frustrated

    • lodgerUK_NE
      lodgerUK_NE frustrated61

      Posted

      We have been advising people on this forum and others to do Aqua Aerobics sessions, but to ensure that the instructor knows you have PMR and/or GCA for the past seven years.
    • EileenH
      EileenH lodgerUK_NE

      Posted

      And just a reminder if you do think about aqua classes - you need a warm pool and do check it is one you can get into and out of! You might find some pools would require a hoist to get in and out if they only have a ladder and no steps into the water and your arms/shoulders are weak or painful! And think about getting dressed afterwards - choose clothes that are easy to get into. A towelling bathrobe is the easy way to get dry. 
    • paula63201
      paula63201 frustrated61

      Posted

      Yes, therapy in warm water was helpful for me prior to being diagnosed with PMR and had more flexible hours working from home. The therapist knew I could hardly move and had a frozen shoulder. But the warm water pool is too far away to go after work so not practical, but, warm baths do wonders, or yoga after a warm shower.

      Thank you.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy frustrated61

      Posted

      frustrated61 with water therapy do you need a hydrotherapy pool or is it a normal swimming pool? I tend to just plough up and down and then chat to people each end. I am rethinking that idea as today I started talking to one woman and forty five minutes later she was still talking about her operations and medications. The trouble is in a swimming pool it is a bit difficult to escape. In the end I said I was getting cold!
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 ptolemy

      Posted

      Ptolemy ~

      I'm referring to the pools found at a physical therapy system.  So, I highly doubt a "regular" swimming pool would do the job but if it's warm enough it couldn't hurt.  Hydrotherapy pool is what I was referring to. LOL@you getting cold,  that hit me funny!

      Frustrated

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy frustrated61

      Posted

      My swimming pool has Canadian hot tubs and a jacuzzi but no hydrotherapy facilities. I stayed in a fantastic hotel for my birthday that did have one, it was like a flower so people could get together in each petal so to speak. It looked fantastic, but I was too busy getting ready for my birthday lunch! 
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 ptolemy

      Posted

      Hot tubs and jacuzzi should help relieve the tightness.  The reason for the  hydrotherapy facilities is so you have a therapist to help you when needed or to even get in the water with you and show you how to do certain exercises so you won't feel awful after you leave that place.

      Thanks for the post!

      Frustrated

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 lodgerUK_NE

      Posted

      Lodger ~

      I'm not sure I'm understanding but if I am, Aqua Aerobic sessions are far different than hydrotherapy sessions with a physical therapist.  Your insurance pays for the hydrotherapy (or they should if you have that coverage of physical therapy) and Aerobic is done by someone who studied that or perhaps didn't study, depends on where you're located.

      Thanks for the response.

      Frustrated

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61

      Posted

      whoops, and individuals usually pay for Aerobic sessions as those are like an excersize class.

      lol

    • EileenH
      EileenH frustrated61

      Posted

      Can I explain? Unless you use a UK hospital hydrotherapy pool it would not be funded under the medical care system. These are heavily over-subscribed so are not freely available for public use. Only very disabled patients are likely to be able to have long term sessions. There are private ones available where there are private hospitals - but they are not very numerous and access to private medicine is expensive. 

      Both Lodger and I are aware of the difference between hydrotherapy and aqua aerobics but in the UK we are constrained by the realities of the system and access to hydrotherapy is rarely available despite the best efforts of the PMR/GCA charity. The majority of the members of this forum are UK pensioners - it is unrealistic to tell them to seek a therapy that is going to cost them a large portion of their income - because private insurance or paying the costs themselves would do just that.

      In an ideal world you are perfectly correct - we know that hydrotherapy is very beneficial. I had a few sessions here in Italy under a completely different system but there is only one pool in this area. It is constantly in use for post-surgery rehab.

    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 EileenH

      Posted

      I do believe that hydrotherapy I was referring to is exactly the same you you're referring to.  The only mention of paying at your own expense is volunteered exercise programs.  You do have exercise business' in the UK?  The aerobics is considered an excercise program ..nevermind it's irrevelant. have a wonderful week
    • EileenH
      EileenH frustrated61

      Posted

      The hydotherapy we are talking about is the same but aqua aerobics is different and yes, we do have gyms with pools who offer aqua classes but not hydotherapy. But to be a member costs quite a bit of money and it is something you have to pay out of your own pocket - it will never be paid for by a third party whether it is considered an exercise programme in the USA or not. I was just trying to explain that the systems are so different you can't compare them and to tell most people here to demand to have hydrotherapy or to up and find a different doctor simply doesn't work. 
    • frustrated61
      frustrated61 EileenH

      Posted

      I believe we are both saying the same thing.  Personal exercise most often is at the cost of the individual. Yes, memberships do cost a lot of buckos!...I wish words I never said would just be left off of any posts as it's unfair to "read into" anyones thoughts.  And merely was stating not comparing.  I doubt I could "demand" a hydrotherapy but I'll bet if I asked for one, there would be no problem because of all the injuries sustained in 2 auto accidents and the residual pain from the operations I've had.  Plus the sarcoidosis and sjogrens cause pain and "stress" as well that's why it's unsafe for me to be in a stressful enviornment, if you get my drift.  Take care thanks for the response

       

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