← Return to PMR, prednisone and Poor Sleep or Insomnia

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@jabrown0407

No problem - In April of 2019 I had an adverse reaction to my second Shringrix vaccination, immediately I had a cascade of health issues which went undiagnosed for close to a year - you guessed it - PMR. I am super sensitive to pharmaceuticals so taking steroids long term is off the table - actually taking them short term is undesirable. I could not embrace the PMR diagnosis because my muscle/joint pain was inconsistent with descriptions found online. Fast forward to today I finally decided to do a deep dive into PMR and became frustrated with the lack of a single medical book covering to topic from A to Z. What I found was pockets of research papers, during my online search efforts I stumbled across this site. I joined recently.
I have had a long list of problems including heart issues for the first time in my life - I'm 77. Orthopedic problems including impingement issues and bursitis, blood issues necessitating a bone marrow test, infectious disease issues, dermatology problems of a foot fungus (never had athletes' foot when a teenager and showering in gang showers), plus other problems way too numerous to mention. I have struggled with symptoms, pain and medical mysteries. I have reluctantly accepted PMR as the diagnosis, but never was the complex of other issues I had mentioned ever listed as possible companion issues. This I believe is selling the problem short. PMR is systemic and not just muscles and joints. Even Mayo Clinic's list of symptoms does not give a nod to the other possible problems like anemia, edema, heart issues, etc - this is what caused me to question the diagnosis in the first place.
Long answer for a simple request. For most of my life I have had to seek OTC and alternate solutions for things others can solve easily with an Rx. I learned the Benadryl trick decades ago while traveling on business. I use pediatric strength as a sleep aide.
Hope this help you understand me just a little better. Thanks for reaching out.

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Replies to "No problem - In April of 2019 I had an adverse reaction to my second Shringrix..."

Thank you for sharing. I too am sensitive to many meds so took Prednisone for only a few months and since then have had to find my way through PMR with no clear paths. I agree PMR is systemic rather than just muscles and joints. Without easy access to tests I recently worked out that I have anaemia and after a few days of an old fashioned iron tonic felt much better and my pain and stiffness was vastly relieved. Anecdotal yes but true for me!

OMG your story sounds like mine! Also the Shingrix vaccines. Absolutely no doubt. Apparently the adjuvants used to stimulate the immune system can be an issue for some people, like you me and ? I’m on the dreaded P, as I cannot function without it, or something. Trying to taper swiftly led me to GCA (very scary), so back up I went. Just in a relapse now, and at 22 mg. Trying to get below 10 in a few months. It’s been 2 years. I’m resigned, but trying to find alternatives. My doc says not to do herbs… I’ll try acupuncture. Any ideas folks?