Anxiety

Hi, I have a lot of anxiety with PMR and GCA that I've been dealing with since May of 2022. I have found in the 2 plus years of battling these diseases that exercise which includes walking and yoga to be very helpful. I also color while listening to relaxing music. Reading is also relaxing and I recently started meditation, which I really like. If you can find the time, try to do something that is calming and something you enjoy every day. You really need to find time for your mental health. Just know it is not just you, I think many of us trying to deal with these diseases, and taking all these hard core drugs, anxiety is something we all struggle with. Hang in there and good for you getting off of prednisone.

Thank you. I do try to meditate.

Hello,
I've been on prednisone for around 3 months, I'm about to taper to 8mg down from my original 15mg dose. I've only recently started having anxiety, so that may be for reasons other than the prednisone, but I suspect it's a factor. I recently started seeing an acupuncturist who has been able to help me with my side effects in general and sleep and anxiety in particular. So that can be very effective. But of course you have to find someone who really knows their stuff. I've had better luck with people who studied in China and also had a background in Orthopedics. If your insurance doesn't cover it it can get pricey, though some will offer senior citizen discounts. I do try to help myself with tai chi, exercise, PT too.

Lifelong anxiety/panic disorder over here. So bizarre that the pred at 15 didn't bother you but now is causing anx and insomnia. Someone gave me a name of an acupuncturist for anx (before pmr) but I didn't call because the practice seemed a bit too splashy for me.
Glad it's helping you.
I have never tried pred, just 1 Advil per night. Have never been formally diagnosed with PMR but have had many labs and ultrasound. Right now, I'm feeling a bit better, but need to get Baker's cysts drained....appt in 2 wks. They are causing some stiffness and pain. Starting to return to working out very slowly. Now walking 1/2 hour every other day and doing some strengthening work from various sources. I had a tight regimen before PMR and hope I can get back to it. I also just started Tai Chi which I didn't like in the past, but this time, I feel better about it.
Wishing you the best. Anxiety is a beast and insomnia only makes it worse. Hope you get off pred soon.

Anxiety and insomnia are very common side effects of pred. Hope you are able to either find a way to deal with it, lower your dosage or find another way. I'm thinking of using LDN. You can Google that if you like. Very successful with PMR and for most, no or very gentle side effects.

I have wondered as a reason for PMR if it doesnt effect those a little more high strung. OCD, Type 1 personality, various other tags for our kind of people. Probably not but being anxious is a way of life for me. Years ago I lost my job, was starting a new business, I had kids in college, just regular stuff we put up with in life. But I became so anxious that I could barely function. I dont think it takes much. Someone on this site posted a quote from Mark Twain. "I know worrying helps because none of it ever comes true. " If that doesnt fit our kind then I dont know what does.

you will have to let us know how it does. I had asked a question, I think on the facebook page, if anyone had tried LDN. Over whelming response was it helped. Of course not everyone. But it seems MTX has more that it doesnt help than it does. LDN is also a fairly inexpensive drug that they use for other conditions. Few side effects. I am not sure why that is not mentioned more as a first line of defense.

The brain is another organ that may be affected by
autoimmunity and systemic inflammation. I think
some anxiety and mood disorders are related to PMR
and other rheumatic diseases.

You've figured it out - self care is the key. I've added swimming to my Yoga and walking routine. It sure helps.

Thanks for the tip!