Zero energy and bloating.

Oh Debbie, poor you!  I would think the bloating is your tummy complaining at the sudden change to wholefoods - wholemeal foods can cause bloating at first if not used to them.  I was recently talking to someone who had switched to a gluten-free diet, mainly to benefit her hubby's problem, and complained of terrible bloating and wind in the first six weeks or so but once her body adjusted she said she felt better and with more energy than she'd felt in ages.  As for being in more pain, you have actually answered your own question - having overdone it a couple of weeks ago may just mean that you have placed extra stress on your body which PMR doesn't like one little bit.  You can just weather it for a few more days and see if it passes, otherwise you may need to up the dose slightly for a week or so to get on top of things again.  Have you included oily fish in your new diet - I really found that several helpings a week eased any returning pain or stiffness?  

I'm not sure it can be said any foods "should be" avoided - everyone is different and for many it makes no difference. In some people it may be part of the autoimmune part of PMR that makes the difference. Keeping carbs, especially processed ones, to a minimum will probably help the pred weight gain problem and help avoid developing pred-induced type 2 diabetes though isn't a 100% answer either.

Whatever- overdoing it DOES make a massive difference and fatigue is part of the autoimmune disorder and isn't affected/improved by the pred. The best way is to rest adequately before and during periods of activity - and to learn to say NO. We may not look ill but we are and it does take it out of us. I have had PMR for 10 years and have had to manage life a lot - both for 5 years without pred and 5 years with pred. At present I am amazing myself with the amount I have done in 2 weeks without crumbling - I think the PMR may have gone! 

If you overdo it when you have PMR you will suffer for it later. And if you have one autoimmune problem you are more likely to develop another - and that is also a possibility.  

Hi Mrs O. Thankyou for your swift response. I don't know where I'd be without this forum! Sounds like I should keep going for a while and hope things improve. I have upped my pred by one milligram for the last few weeks, as my inflammatory level went up to 35. My doc seems to be quite happy to leave the regulation of my dose to me. (Think that's a good thing)! Having another blood test next week. Fingers crossed (or I would if they were'nt so painful Lol! 

You have what is called the Atkins Flu. Until you body stops burning carbs and starts burning fats (?) there is a sharp decrease in energy. When you have a high carb diet your body retains water. Think about the pounds you gain after dining out. When you reduce carbs, your body starts flushing that water and salt out of the system. This can be partially avoided by having two cups of bullion (not low in salt) a day and drinking water. A good book to read about the physical effects is "The New Atkins For The New You".

when I developed GCA I went from 175lb to 160 lb. after steroids I went from 160 to 198. I am still on 25mg of pred and in 4 weeks I am now at 192. I am using a low carb diet and allow 40g of carbs a day. It took a while to lose the sugar addiction. I still allow myself the pleasure of binging once every 10 days or so when I eat everything sweet in the house. I have purchased a box of Atkins Triple Choclate Bars to help at other times.  My wife still bakes but she only makes stuff she likes, this reduces my temptations.

I lose about a pound a week and will soon be able to fit comfortable into my 170 clothes. 

Atkins only requires that you count carbs and they provide a free carb counter. I have added Wine back to my diet. For example 3.5 OZ of wine is only 2 carbs. Since I allow myself 40 a day it is in my budget. I do not drink wine at meals because... Read the book.