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@dadcue

"I wish he had touched on the severe fatigue and weakness that accompanies PMR as it is also quite debilitating."
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I'm not so sure PMR does that. Maybe GCA causes this problem but I was never diagnosed with GCA. I agree that severe fatigue and weakness is a huge problem and it was debilitating for me too.

The presenter pointed out that muscle strength is normal in newly diagnosed patients with PMR. Historically, they did muscle biopsies but the muscles were normal so biopsies are no longer indicated for PMR. Muscle biopsies are done for other disorders but not PMR.

I don't think PMR made me excessively tired. I didn't experience severe fatigue until a year or two after PMR was diagnosed. It hurt to move but prednisone took care of that problem. Prednisone also energized me so I didn't have a normal sleep pattern. Sleep deprivation gradually gave way to exhaustion but that all stemmed from insomnia caused by prednisone.

I was tested for exercise intolerance about a year after being diagnosed with PMR. My exercise tolerance test was interpreted as normal. I carried on with my exercise routine as if everything was normal. I was doing a long distance bicycle ride when I thought I was going to die from absolute exhaustion. That exhaustion stemmed from prednisone induced high blood pressure. I shouldn't have carried on as normal when I was taking prednisone.

In my opinion, most of the severe fatigue and weakness was caused by adrenal insufficiency. In any case, all of that has improved tremendously since I was able to taper off prednisone. As far as I know, I still have PMR because I'm still being treated except not with prednisone anymore.

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Replies to ""I wish he had touched on the severe fatigue and weakness that accompanies PMR as it..."

Muscle weakness and severe fatigue was caused by prednisone for me not pmr
Great video thanks
I am off prednisone after 2 years and experiencing lots of discomfort but will persevere waiting to see musculoskeletal physician
Prednisone caused me more harm than good and it is written in my medical notes not to prescribe it for me unless it is the only medication available to treat a life threatening illness
It’s good to hear there is work being done on prescribing alternatives not sure how available they are here in Aotearoa New Zealand
This video and people’s comments has been helpful thanks