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PMR and Fatigue. Interesting study
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Sep 27, 2024 | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
I stopped eating almost everything because of my weight gain while on Prednisone. Exercise during PMR was nearly impossible to do because of pain. Overwhelming fatigue from adrenal insufficiency made my life very sedentary. It was impossible for me to "overdo" anything.
I have lost a significant amount of weight since coming off Prednisone. I think that has helped me to discontinue those medications. My weight loss is mostly because of more exercise.
I participate in a "MOVE" program which emphasizes both diet and exercise. A dietitian says I need to eat more because I shouldn't go all day without eating anything. She says that lowers my metabolic rate. I'm exercising as much as I can but the dietitian says "exercise won't overcome a bad diet." I need to work on eating a "healthier diet" instead of eating less. A healthy diet includes "healthy carbs" but I confess to liking the "unhealthy carbs" too.
An endocrinologist has been working on my metabolic syndrome that was caused by long term Prednisone use. He says hormones play an important role too. He says there is much more to losing weight and it isn't all about diet and exercise.
Overall I'm pleased with the progress I have made. I still have room for improvement. I need to make some more lifestyle changes. I think getting off Prednisone was the biggest change. That has made a huge difference in my life.
I have learned that being and staying healthy is never about one thing. A healthy lifestyle is a combination of many things which included the medications I took.
To be honest, I don't think Actemra is the best thing for me to take. Actemra just seems better to me than Prednisone at the moment. I really don't want to be on Actemra either.
Replies to "I stopped eating almost everything because of my weight gain while on Prednisone. Exercise during PMR..."
Since my recent PMR/Prednisone episode is trying to take over my life, I was prescribed a visit to a dietician. Although I thought my wife and I ate healthy, and avoid red meats, discovered many ways to improve the daily diet. I base ours on the majority of a Mediterranean/Diabetic type diet. The most important topic I was informed of by the dietician was "No Naked Carbs" , meaning every time you ingest carbs, must be accompanied by a Protein. There are tons of small portion/high proteins out there like Chia or Hemp heart Seeds to sprinkle on your oatmeal or salads, etc, for one example. These seeds also lower blood sugars and pressure. A Low Fat Mozzarella cheese stick is a good snack to go with some whole grain crackers for those hunger strikes or carrots as a carb, almonds or walnuts? My wife & I noticed on the third day a large change of feeling good as compared to the prior diet habits. If you choose a good diet, high in Proteins, low in carbs, No Sugars (10gr or less per day), higher Omega 3 fats, moderate intake of Turmeric; you will feel better and keep that as a habit. This helps, but is does not cure or alleviate the Prednisone/PMR topic. As a group, we need all the help we can get, to overcome the Prednisone intake side effects. Best Wishes.
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@dadcue
Your doing great, Dadcue. I know how hard it is to control your intake of healthy and unhealthy food, especially carbs. I’m a carbohydrate addict!
I don’t know if weight loss would work as much for me— I’m 4 ft 10 inches tall and weigh 120 pounds—a lot of it in the stomach area. Probably could lose 20 pounds of stomach fat! So I do have classic metabolic syndrome as a contributing factor!
You keep up the good work! I do understand your need to now want to wean yourself off the Actemra! Have you brought this up with your doctor? It does seem like you have been on it long enough! Are your adrenals producing enough cortisol?