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@stonewheel

It helped me to separate what PMR was doing to me from what Prednisone was doing to me. I'm not sure what all PMR did to me except it caused me to have a lot of pain. From what I have read about PMR it isn't known to cause too much damage. PMR isn't supposed to last very long so I can't explain why my rheumatologist thought I had PMR for 12 years. I was more convinced that I still had PMR when Actemra worked so well for me. My rheumatologist still thinks I have PMR combined with a "full range" of other rheumatology problems. There isn't that much that is known about PMR alone except that it is very painful.

The effects of prednisone on the other hand have been well studied and the side effects have been known about for years. It was helpful to me when I decided that daily Prednisone was putting my body in a constant "fight or flight" response. The following is what artificial intelligence says about the body's fight or flight response.
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"Key Physiological Changes:
Heart & Lungs: Heart rate and blood pressure rise to pump blood faster, while breathing quickens to maximize oxygen intake.
Muscles: Muscles tense up, becoming prepared to react, fight, or flee, which can lead to trembling or shaking.
Energy Surge: The body releases glucose and cortisol, providing a burst of energy to deal with the threat.
Senses: Vision sharpens, and pupils dilate to allow more light in, leading to heightened alertness.
Suppressed Functions: Digestion shuts down, often causing "butterflies," nausea, or a dry mouth.

Signs of Fight or Flight:
Physical: Racing heart, sweating, shaking, shallow breathing, cold/clammy skin, and dilated pupils.
Behavioral: Impatience, anger, irritability, or panic, often accompanied by a feeling of being trapped or a sudden need to move.

Long-Term Impact: If constantly active, it can lead to exhaustion, high blood pressure, weakened immunity, and anxiety."
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Over the many years that I took Prednisone this was exactly what happened to me. To all of the above, I need to add that the blood clotting mechanism is enhanced in case we are injured during the emergency we face. The fight or flight response decreases the chance of bleeding to death in case we get injured.

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Replies to "@stonewheel It helped me to separate what PMR was doing to me from what Prednisone was..."

@dadcue exactly, all true.

I’ll add in the emotional “love/hate” relationship that I (and many others) also have with Prednisone, to create that “perfect storm” leading to more of a “snowball effect” of what you mentioned above.

But, the human mind and body are capable of change, adaptation, recovery, and healing. Willing manifestation of a focused outcome is what I force myself to do 24/7.

While I haven’t healed a broken bone by PMA (positive mental attitude,) my body has adapted to medications and also I’ve weaned myself off of them in the past, successfully.

I thought Prednisone would a simple take it and stop it. My body had been adaptable in the past, no need to think differently now. Ha, boy did I get a wake up call.

I am doing quite well though. Reading about the success of others, and yourself, here in this group, keep me inspired. I’m still chainsawing trees. Mowing a couple of acres a week, weed whacking, blowing, raking, shredding, gardening, driving where and when I want, baby sitting grandkids, walking or bicycling with them to the park, swinging, playing catch, doing housework, volunteering in the neighborhood, working out daily, and my private parts work wonderfully. People see me moving about and have no idea. All in all, I’m fortunate. I know it. I just have a few obstacles to overcome, or learn workarounds to deal with them. Hopefully the list won’t keep growing.

I have a list of things to do today, so I’d better get after it.

Best of wishes and luck to you and all of us.

Randy