Hi, new here, I've posted elsewhere but thought i'd also post on this thread

Let me explain…

In March 20 I had a serious of strange bites come up on my right leg, just below the knee. After 3 weeks of intense itching I went to the Docs to have it checked out. She prescribed me some anti-fungicidal cream (she stated it may have been infected hair follicles), which I used for a day or two and the symptoms\bites went away. However, then came the pain in both hips (possibly joints), both buttocks, which spread to both shoulders and upper arms and associated joints. Also, I lost weight, became fatigued and just didn't feel too good at all. The final nail for me was when both arms at the elbow, one morning, became extremely hot to touch and a red rash appeared. I know I would have to go back to the docs. Also by this time I struggled walking, getting out of cars, limped, hips\buttocks hurt like hell, getting out of bed, putting clothes on (stiff painful joints) and so forth. I was a limping frankenstein! Symptons were worse in mornings but to be fair I still feel the stiffness during the day.

So, in I went, series of blood tests(diabetes, liver, kidneys, prostrate markers and so forth) were taken and that included a test for Lymes because I thought it may have been that, due to lifestyle. All came back neg but for very low Folic acid count and 'possibly showing that you had a bacterial blood infection'! There has been NO raised inflammatory markers though! I was given 14 days to treat for possible Lymes before results came back and put on folic supplements.

To cut long story short, I'm om pred and because my Doc didn't diagnose PMR, I raised the possibility. It appears here in the UK they aren't bothered getting to the bottom of my condition during this pandemic. I said to him why not try pred and we will see if it helps, it did @10mg. By this time it was June. I feel my GP isn't supporting me much (CV-19?) and he has left me to decide on the management of the dosage but I'm concerned as to why I dont have any blood inflammatory markers for this but Pred is working. Only other thing is I appear to be getting more cherry angioma (not spider) since this flared up.

I'm a 54 year old male whom had in the past, had an active lifestyle. I'm currently reducing pred using the 'slow' method that alternates between dosage, currently 9mg with a day of 8mg. However, I do still feel 'twinges' of discomfort. (My GP just wanted me off the pred ASAP and it didn't work)

Question: Does pred make you wanna pee more? Possible thirst\dry throat?

PS I have now put weight back on, got an appetite and no fever or rash which I had right at the beginning.

Thanks for listening