PMR and depression

@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.

@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).

@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.

I was pleased to see this discussion. I am almost 80 years old and 18 months on prednisone and tapering to 4.5. Have developed pre-diabetes, iron deficiency and my neuropathy is worse. Still pain in some part of my body all the time. I’m trying hard to just push through the pain and still be as normal and active as possible. I’m generally an extrovert - enjoy talking with people. But I’ve find myself just breaking into short bursts of tears with seemingly no reason. I can share with friends about the PMR but don’t want to share about this. I haven’t shared too much about tears with my doctor either. I also find myself thinking/ worrying about new projects and wondering if I can accomplish new tasks without too much pain. When I finally get off prednisone will these bouts of fear and tears go away? Anyone else experiencing this?
Thanks for being there for all of us! This is a crazy condition.

@bainbridge
All of this discussion is such a lifeline for me. I was diagnosed with PMR 14 mo. ago by my pcp, who started med on prednisone then referred me to a rheumatologist. The Rh had an arterial biopsy done and seemed focused on high single strand DNA results which I am not sure why it’s important. The side effects of prednisone were so bad that I weaned myself off & started meditating 4 times a day and trying to watch my diet. I have also developed prediabetes - which I didn’t know was an effect of prednisone. I didn’t know until reading this that depression was. I’ve been so exhausted lately that I went to pcp again. My ESR was 143 & CRP high so he put me on 60 mg prednisone. I quit taking it after 2 days because my heart thumps so hard it’s scary & I can’t sleep. Now, I’m just taking Tylenol and trying to manage with gentle exercise. But mostly, I’m exhausted & don’t want to do anything - I’m thinking it’s depression. I’m not sure, but hurting every day starts to wear one down. I don’t talk about it with others - I live alone & don’t want to complain when with friends or neighbors. It’s rather a relief to see that I am not alone - sad, because I don’t want anyone to feel this way, but I no longer feel as isolated.
Thank you all for sharing! I wish you well on your journeys and better health quickly.