Heat sensitivity with PMR

Welcome @bigjoe1463, My PMR is currently in remission but I can remember not liking the heat and humidity in the summer when my PMR was active and I was on prednisone. I still don't like the heat and humidity and it does add to my my fatigue if I'm doing anything like yardwork outside when it's hot and humid.

Have you been diagnosed with PMR and looking for alternatives to prednisone?

Heat and humidity affect many people from those with PMR to those without anything wrong with them. You may be experiencing a double whammy because of your being a little older the body has more difficulty regulating its temperature. Not even considering hot weather and humidity, PMR can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, increased dry eyes and mouth, etc. So adding in any increase in heat and humidity is going to make it even more difficult to breathe and intensify your fatigue. I was diagnosed with PMR in August, 2023 and I'm down to 3 mg every other day with 2 mg in between of Prednisone, and it is brutal for me to even be outdoors in 90 degree humid weather for more than 5 minutes and I'm 62 years old. Not sure if it's the Prednisone or PMR, could possibly be both. So even being treated for the PMR I still find myself very sensitive to the sun, heat, and humidity. For many years when I was younger, I was able to layout on the beach every weekend all day. Boy, have things changed! LOL

I have had PMR for five years and have heat intolerance. It has gotten a little worse since the onset of PMR. The main contributor to my heat intolerance is I am thyroid replacement. I developed heat intolerance shortly after going on Synthroid. I attribute my problem to my thyroid issues and not so much PMR.
Even if it is not your thyroid, please consider other possibilities rather than simply lumping all your new problems into the PMR bucket.

I have severe sweating, especially from the head area. Drops of sweat actually fall down my neck from my head and I actually need paper towels to absorb the constant sweating. However, I do take prednisone and thought that was the culprit. Now I'm wondering if it is the combination of the PMR and Prednisone. I was on vacation with my son and family a couple of years ago and he wanted to call an ambulance for me the sweating was so profuse. Had to explain that it happens all the time.

Hi @bigjoe1463, the dangers of excessive heat for humans of all ages and all levels of health, animals, etc. are well documented. Especially this summer, I hear about people and animals dying from heat exposure everyday on the news.
I had PMR, then GCA, undiagnosed for over a year. I developed an extreme sensitivity to sunlight and couldn't bear to be exposed to it for very long. It went away with treatment, prednisone for me. I'm still cautious , though, and limit my exposure to extreme heat.

I have been on Prednisone for PMR for 3.5 months now, and have definitely noticed increased sensitivity to heat and activity. Like @rosemargaret, sweat dripping from my head. I assumed it was from the medication. Good luck to you @bigjoe1463 ❤️