Twelve years of PMR along with Prednisone took every ounce of stamina from me.

It has been awhile since I felt this way. I described it as maximum exhaustion with minimal exertion. I'm relatively certain that it was a low cortisol level combined with being physically out of shape. Both PMR and prednisone can contribute to fatigue and muscle weakness.

After I was able to discontinue Prednisone ... things gradually improved. An endocrinologist monitored my cortisol level when I tapered off prednisone. She said there wasn't much she could do if I still needed prednisone for PMR. Thanks to Actemra, I didn't think Prednisone was needed for PMR anymore. She also said there wasn't much she could do for my low cortisol level except to remain on a very low dose of Prednisone. The prednisone dose she encouraged was 3 mg until my cortisol level improved. I needed to stay on 3 mg for as long as it took and after 6 months my cortisol level miraculously improved.

My physical endurance improved after I was able to discontinue prednisone. My “recovery time" after exercise was what encouraged me to continue doing more exercise. Gradually, my endurance also improved so I could exercise longer.