PMR and depression

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.

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.

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.

@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.

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.