PMR and Depression

So interesting that active folks get this damn PMR. My journey began last year about this time. Each day more stiff & hurting. Whimpering on the sofa so bummed out. Weepy. Got depressed & asked my dr for anti depressant. Not given but a therapist recommendation was. I’ve been doing therapy for almost a year. It helped me because I was so angry at myself and my weakness. I was a loser. I’m not allowed to be sick, etc. anyway therapy helped a lot. Learning to be kinder to myself. The prednisone which began in late March, 2025, also helped w/pain so I was elated. Now as I’ve gotten down to 3 mgs of prednisone the pains are creeping back. That’s a bummer. Rheumy just said bump it back to 4 mg until I see him in early April. So tomorrow I go up. I hope it works. I love what prednisone has done to help me but I hate the hair loss, skin fragility & weight gain & bone loss. Also Rheumy added methotrexate in May but not sure what it’s doing. Maybe come April he’ll try a biologic?
I appreciate the ideas, suggestions, recommendations this site exposes me to.

Has anyone experienced increased depression and sadness on prednisone for over a year? I am currently on 4mg, down from 20 mg. I have had a few flares and recently had a bout of sciatica. I am suddenly overwhelmed with even simple tasks. I’m an artist and stopped painting to spend more time being physically active and gardening. I’m an introvert but a good listener so people tend to unload on me while I hardly get a word in. Afterwards I’m exhausted. I’ve been on a low dose of sertraline for years. Maybe this isn’t PMR issue?

You sound very much like me several months ago. I didn’t recognize myself as I was sad all the time. Realizing the things I have given up to this disease. There is hope. I am now completely off of prednisone and the depression is lifting. I am extremely cautious about my activity, but feel I can start doing gentle exercise.

I would advise you go back to creating your form of art. Gardening is particularly difficult on the shoulders. Do what brings you joy. This disease takes away too much of us. Return to what you love if possible.
I am slowly starting to do the things that bring me joy and the fog of depression has started to lift. Praying I don’t relapse, but enjoying what is in front of me right now. Good luck.

A known side effect of Prednisone is to exacerbate and/or induce mood disorders. PMR doesn't help the situation.

That is the greatest thing about forums like this. Feel free to express how you feel here. It doesn't have to be a one-sided expression of feelings. Everyone here is free to share their personal experiences with PMR and various treatments. People are also free to take on as much or as little information as they can handle.

It is clear that people have lots of emotions while on Prednisone. Everyone has unique feelings just as PMR symptoms are unique.

I'm an introvert by nature too. I struggled with expressing my ideas all of my life. On this forum, I think I'm a prolific writer virtually about things I would never publicly discuss in person. Sometimes maybe I'm too prolific. Maybe I should keep things to myself but I feel better after I post about my personal experiences.

@thereselefever thank you so much. It’s been difficult to limit myself as my husband is an avid walker/gardener/handy man and I try to keep up. I’ve always gone along with what others want to do and have a hard time saying no. You are right, I must return to art. Good luck on your recovery, too. You on a good path forward and I hope to be there soon.

@dadcue thanks Mike. I don’t open up to others but feel completely safe here. Having contact with others in this group has been invaluable. Please don’t stop writing. It’s reassuring that we can connect with others and are heard.

@susanalka . Sorry to hear about your depression and it getting worse on PMR. I was scared to death when in the early days of PMR. The cytokines (IL-6) does not help. It is an evil cytokine that encourages and one might say causes depression. I had, not only pain, but terribly violent and depressing dreams before I got on prednisone. I was morose and quite down about my future. I thought my life was over. Upon starting 15 mg of prednisone, I felt better each hour. By day two I did not have any nightmares and I slept better than I had in years. For me, prednisone was a godsend. It stopped all the depression. I had hope and was elated. I was not wired but actually functioned better mentally than I had been. Strange, but it (pred) calmed me, not wired me. Yes, I eventually got the digits about pred as everyone does, knowing it is also probably destroying you in other ways. I have been off now since March 1st. Took me 9 months to taper off. So far no PMR. Good luck and work with your prescribing doctor on anti depression meds.

@dadcue
Keep on sharing Mike, always a pleasure to hear about your thoughts and experiences.

Those of us (myself included) who tend toward introversion, are good listeners, are happy to help others, and have difficulty saying no may have learned this behavior in childhood. A healthy dose of these behaviors I think makes for a happier society. But, if carried too far, can result in a person feeling depleted. You can find a good analysis of this phenomenon in the writings of Dr. Gabor Mate, particularly “The Myth of Normal.” If you have not explored his writings, you might find them helpful.

@mark2471 thank you so much, I will definitely look him up.