To exercise or not to exercise, that's the question

@cyndiefromnc
I know that exercise always makes me feel better. I started Prednisone 6 weeks ago 10, 7,5 and now on 5 mg the last 3 weeks. The tentative plan is to go 4, 3, 2, 1 mg for a month each. When I tried to go back to heavier weights and higher impact cardio I could feel a tinge of what a flare up could be so back to low impact etc. WALKING and stretching is very good.

I love water walking. In the pool I move any and all joints that feel they need a stretch. Water is so supportive and the exercise there is gentle and nourishing.

@kereno
Pool walk is the BEST….add weights in ankles as you improve

@tweetypie13

The foam dumbbells provide water resistance without the weight. Plus the buoyancy prevents me from drowning.

Maybe start with something low impact and soothing like tai chi then work yourself up to short rounds of gentle warm water exercise, gradually increasing the time and intensity

I find water exercises work best for me. There is the resistance from the water and I can add more with foam dumbbells' and foam fun noodles. I also do weight machines. I can adjust the weight depending on how I am doing and whatever else I have done that day. I feel so much better if I exercise regularly.

While water resistance exercises are great for strengthening muscles, it doesn’t help bone density. You need weight bearing exercise to build bone strength.

Yes! Exercise to keep up your overall health! I was diagnosed with PMR in 2017. My rheumatologist recommended I cut back on my running and I might get osteoporosis with prednisone regiment. I’m still on low dose prednisone ( 1.25 mg/day), but since 2017 I’ve completed 50 marathons in 50 states, ran several 50km trail races, and completed two 100 mile runs. I lift weights twice a week. Exercising made me feel better and helped me health wise.

I exercised throughout my Predisone treatment of about a year--Pilates, Aquatic Fitness, Zumba, and Cardio Dance. The only time that I thought my pain might be coming from my PMR instead of just sore muscles was when I would used 5# weights....my upper arms would hurt at night. I then decided to use lighter weights (4#) and my pain seemed to go away.

This sounds very much like my experience.
A year and a half ago I was still in good shape but mysteriously unable to do the basics, and would find myself wondering if I had suddenly forgotten how to get out of bed, off the floor, roll over etc.

Once diagnosed I did PT, but couldn't improve after a certain point, since once the prednisone was low enough to not cover pain completely I was terrified of triggering a relapse every time it hurt to exercise.
After I got to 3 mg it seemed to take me almost the entire month to adjust to every taper. Then I would immediately start the next taper, which seemed harder every time.

I became weak to the point that my lack of conditioning was causing me to hurt myself. Once I got to 0 mg I felt almost as bad as when everything was first starting, but I figured that I needed to give my adrenals a chance to start working.

I went back to PT at that point, but it wasn't until I had been off of the prednisone for a while that I started to listen to the physical therapist and push myself way beyond my comfort level, moving past exercise bands and stretching, to include weights and load bearing exercises.

I've been off of prednisone for a few months now, and while I'm far from where I would like to be I've improved to the point where I should be able to continue progressing on my own.

I am still relying on Tylenol extra strength 3 time a day and have plenty of discomfort that feels manageable.
I was doing Tai Chi, walking and acupuncture through the whole taper, but exercise has been crucial for my recovery.

Best of luck!