1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Anyone experiencing PMR Flareups caused by anxiety?

Posted by lindaadele @lindaadele, Apr 6 11:49am

I have had an anxiety disorder for many many years which I get help for but it is extremely hard for me to control my anxiety and I kind of feel that whenever I have the most anxiety I get the most flareups. Does anyone else out there have the same experience? Any information you can give me would be very helpful!! thank you very much for any help you can give me!!!

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 6 3:21pm

Hi @lindaadele - I'm not sure anxiety can cause a PMR flare up but I think it can definitely make one worse. I think this PMR video I also shared in another discussion might explain it a little better.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Rheumatologist explains


Have you looked into any mindfulness exercises? Mayo Clinic has a list here that might be helpful - https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356

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barracudacool | @barracudacool | Apr 7 5:23am

Yes absolutely. While anxiety doesn’t cause pmr it does, at least for me, cause flare ups of pain and stiffness. There is a relationship between anxiety and inflammation. Which is what PMR is.

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DadCue | @dadcue | Apr 7 7:13am

Anxiety is a common side effect of Prednisone.
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/can-prednisone-cause-anxiety/#:~:text=Prednisone%20is%20known%20to%20cause,severe%20anxiety%20while%20taking%20prednisone.
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Sometimes I think prednisone puts PMR into remission in the beginning. Over time, prednisone induced adrenal insufficiency causes the body to be unable to regulate inflammation. Adrenal insufficiency coupled with the anxiety about tapering off prednisone creates a cycle of recurring flares at lower doses of prednisone. Anxiety is also one of the symptoms of prednisone withdrawal.

Stress is recognized as one of the initial triggers of PMR. I don't know why stress related anxiety wouldn't trigger recurring flares.

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pdxmac | @pdxmac | Apr 7 9:59am

I have definitely noticed a connection and the log I keep confirms this. Even good stress (my son's wedding) was a set back as far as my PMR. Now that I know this, I have approached life differently, telling myself that putting PMR behind me needs to be my focus for the next year. So I've scaled back all expectations for myself like big travel, social life, deadlines and projects. I've noticed a bit change that is a positive loop, like better sleep, easier to stay on a healthy diet, etc. At least for me this has been a good experience and life lesson.

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1 reply
susanalka | @susanalka | Apr 7 10:47am

I am tapering and felt good until yesterday. And yes, I am experiencing stress from a lawsuit and need to travel to help my daughter-in-law recover from surgery. I have pain in my upper hip that I will try to manage with Tylenol. I am reluctant to increase prednisone since this is my first bad flare-up. Hard to tell if this is due to stress or tapering process

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1 reply
lindaadele | @lindaadele | Apr 7 1:30pm
In reply to @susanalka "I am tapering and felt good until yesterday. And yes, I am experiencing stress from a..." + (show)
@susanalka

I am tapering and felt good until yesterday. And yes, I am experiencing stress from a lawsuit and need to travel to help my daughter-in-law recover from surgery. I have pain in my upper hip that I will try to manage with Tylenol. I am reluctant to increase prednisone since this is my first bad flare-up. Hard to tell if this is due to stress or tapering process

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My very best wishes to you!!! thank you very much for responding to my comment!!! I hope you feel better soon!!!

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lindaadele | @lindaadele | Apr 7 1:36pm
In reply to @pdxmac "I have definitely noticed a connection and the log I keep confirms this. Even good stress..." + (show)
@pdxmac

I have definitely noticed a connection and the log I keep confirms this. Even good stress (my son's wedding) was a set back as far as my PMR. Now that I know this, I have approached life differently, telling myself that putting PMR behind me needs to be my focus for the next year. So I've scaled back all expectations for myself like big travel, social life, deadlines and projects. I've noticed a bit change that is a positive loop, like better sleep, easier to stay on a healthy diet, etc. At least for me this has been a good experience and life lesson.

Jump to this post

Thank you so very much for responding to my comment!!! it was very helpful for me!!!

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ftbraggal | @ftbraggal | Apr 8 7:02pm

I have had autoimmune condition......just being treated for PMR.......see a real doctor in late May. But over the years my stress level differently caused a lot of problems with my body pain!

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lindaadele | @lindaadele | 6 days ago

Thank you so very much for replying to my comment!!! my very best wishes to you going forward!!!

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