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Has anyone developed tremors as a result of polymyalgia/prednizone?
I was diagnosed with PMR on Jan. 19th and started on 15mg prednisone. Previously I had a mild and infrequent undiagnosed tremor in my hands. This tremor has at times now become a full on shake. I am dropping things and often unable to handle fine motor tasks. Paired with this I have a sense of loss of sensation in fingertips and toes. I have also had severe cramps in hands and feet which has lessened over the past month while on tapering. I am now down to 9mg. Prednisone. Rheumatologist has suggested it may be prednizone; nerve conduction on hands reveals no neurological issues. This doctor suggested I may want to have a MRI on my neck… which is complicated as I have a pacemaker and there are few hospitals that do this in my area .. hence long waits.
Hoping it is related to prednisone and shakes will just go away when taper is done?? Thoughts?
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Hi, Everyone:
Thanks for your input. I'm on 20 MG prednisone, tapering slowly to 17.5, then to 15, etc., over the next four months. I have noticed minor hand trembling, too. I'd say it's like having had three strong cups of coffee in a row (which I never do). Just "jisttery hands," I guess. I also have had some hand cramping (very minor).
The prednisone has been a wonder drug for my - my shoulder, elbow, hamstring, and general pain has really disappeared. But I guess every drug has some side effects.
PS - I too take magnesium, but I don't really know what a proper dose is.
Good health to you all!
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Yes, me too. Definitely a mind-body connection there. I need to work on practices to simplify, clarify, and ease my life. Thanks for the input.
What are some of the dietary things to avoid? And what is Kevzara? My doc hasn't mentioned that one to me.
@mjdcl57 oh, they say the anti-inflamitory diet, which is like the diabetic diet, which is basically no sugar, nothing white (like bread) (I am not very good with that... I like sweet stuff)
Kevzara is a biologic shot, once every 2 weeks. Helps you get off prednisone as it blocks receptors that cause the pmr pain. But it is very expensive if you don't have insurance that covers it.
Thank you! I'm still early in the tapering stage, so I don't expect I'll be getting prescribed with Kevzara anytime soon.
Thanks again!
I have been investigating anti-inflammatory diets. Don't know if I have the willpower. I eat well, but ...
I started on 10mg pred Oct 2025 for PMR. Then up to 40mg in Feb this year for GCA. I developed tremors that were primarily in the mornings. The tremors would subside 2-3 hours after taking my pred. Now that I am on weelky Tyenne srlf injections and tapering off pred- down to 4 mg QD- I rarely notice any tremors. Yes, mine were like having touch coffee. My LDL cholesterol also went way up, of which I have never had any issue with. I will have bloodwork in 2 weeks and hope that the LDL returns to normal low just as the tremors have almost resolved. Pred has life altering positive as well as negative effects.
I wish you each well on your journeys through this confusing disease process.