PMR and Depression

@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.

@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.

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?

@mark2471 I’ve listened to Dr Mate! My therapist suggested it (who I started seeing after getting so depressed about my diagnosis of PMR). It was eye opening to hear things that did relate to me, my upbringing, my repression of feelings, being “nice” etc., & the awareness that these can translate to our autoimmune problems later in life. Y’all can go to U-tube and watch. See what you find speaks to you (or not).

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?

@susanalka
Totally agree. PMR is depressing because it's like someone flipped a switch on us and all of a sudden we can't do the things we could do before this. I was never a runner, a gym rat or a fitness fanatic but I enjoyed doing what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. Even the simple things are now difficult and I have absolutely no stamina. I feel like I aged 20 years in the blink of an eye. Some days it's really difficult not to feel robbed of time at a time of my life where time is so precious.

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.

@dadcue I agree it is good to be able to share with others your experience. Though in saying that, I tend to keep all the really difficult stuff inside so as not to bring other people down. The closest people to me almost don't want to accept when I can't find a silver lining or make me feel like I'm overly sensitive, so I don't trust anyone with my deepest feelings except my therapist. I am grateful for this group and for everyone sharing.

@dadcue I agree it is good to be able to share with others your experience. Though in saying that, I tend to keep all the really difficult stuff inside so as not to bring other people down. The closest people to me almost don't want to accept when I can't find a silver lining or make me feel like I'm overly sensitive, so I don't trust anyone with my deepest feelings except my therapist. I am grateful for this group and for everyone sharing.