1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

PMR, prednisone and Poor Sleep or Insomnia

Posted by shonnie @shonnie, Feb 20, 2022

Hi
I was diagnosed with PMR Jan 3 and I am on 20mg prednisone. I have terrible insomnia that seems to only be helped by Tylenol PM which I don't want to take everyrnight. Last night I tried tea with Valerian and it worked pretty well. I didn't feel groggy at all in the morning. Now I have read that it might not be good to mix with prednisone. Does anyone have an answer on taking it with prednisone. I will ask my doctor but not sure he will know.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

jabrown0407 | @jabrown0407 | Feb 21, 2022

I found this article from the mid-1980's mention anemia as a common co-finding with other better known PMR indicators. Somehow this seems to have totally fallen off the radar of the medical community in today's world. I suspect it is most likely more common than is currently recognized. It is articles like this that I have used to connect dots. I have several more dots - but it is a journey.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3710167/

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1 reply
anniekirby | @anniekirby | Feb 21, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "@jabrown0407, Thanks for posting that question! I never really thought about PMR related anemia. Here are..." + (show)
@johnbishop

@jabrown0407, Thanks for posting that question! I never really thought about PMR related anemia. Here are a couple of articles that I found.

-- How to Manage, Treat Anemia of Inflammation in Patients with Rheumatic Disease: https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/manage-treat-anemia-inflammation-patients-rheumatic-disease/
-- "A condition called anaemia (an-ee-me-a), which is a lack of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body, is quite common in polymyalgia rheumatica. Your ..." --- Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) | Causes, symptoms, treatments: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/

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Thank you so much I’ll look at that information.

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1 reply
anniekirby | @anniekirby | Feb 21, 2022
In reply to @jabrown0407 "I found this article from the mid-1980's mention anemia as a common co-finding with other better..." + (show)
@jabrown0407

I found this article from the mid-1980's mention anemia as a common co-finding with other better known PMR indicators. Somehow this seems to have totally fallen off the radar of the medical community in today's world. I suspect it is most likely more common than is currently recognized. It is articles like this that I have used to connect dots. I have several more dots - but it is a journey.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3710167/

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Brilliant thanks I’ll check that out. I received a diagnosis and some Prednisone the rest has been my own research and now others like you on this site.

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hmccarth5 | @hmccarth5 | Feb 22, 2022
In reply to @anniekirby "Thank you for sharing. I too am sensitive to many meds so took Prednisone for only..." + (show)
@anniekirby

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!

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Iron tonic?

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anniekirby | @anniekirby | Feb 22, 2022

I am referring to an over the counter herbal iron tonic available in my country.

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rjchaz | @rjchaz | Feb 22, 2022

I was stricken with PMR almost 8 year’s ago but sadly to say 2 years ago April 8th I awakened and saw a red patch and then a black patch and have been blind in my right ever since. I have been told there is nothing that can be done. I had severe pain in my tongue and jaws but no blurring of vision. Be aware it can happen!!

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 23, 2022
In reply to @rjchaz "I was stricken with PMR almost 8 year’s ago but sadly to say 2 years ago..." + (show)
@rjchaz

I was stricken with PMR almost 8 year’s ago but sadly to say 2 years ago April 8th I awakened and saw a red patch and then a black patch and have been blind in my right ever since. I have been told there is nothing that can be done. I had severe pain in my tongue and jaws but no blurring of vision. Be aware it can happen!!

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Welcome @rjchaz, Thank you for sharing your experience and the importance of being aware of this terrible condition. Were you also diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) along with your PMR?

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1 reply
rjchaz | @rjchaz | Feb 23, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @rjchaz, Thank you for sharing your experience and the importance of being aware of this..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Welcome @rjchaz, Thank you for sharing your experience and the importance of being aware of this terrible condition. Were you also diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) along with your PMR?

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Yes! I was diagnosed with GCA. My rheumatologist wanted to do a TEMPORAL ARTERITIS test but my GP didn’t think it was needed. I have learned that if a specialist recommends something I will probably go with their suggestion. Bobbie PS. If I had had the test I’m sure I would have been put on heavy doses of prednisone. When I lost my sight, I was immediately put on 80 mg of prednisone.

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pacarolyn | @pacarolyn | Feb 23, 2022

I am wondering why after the fact you were put on the prednisone? Would it have prevented your blindness if you had taken it before?

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pacarolyn | @pacarolyn | Feb 23, 2022
In reply to @anniekirby "Thank you so much I’ll look at that information." + (show)
@anniekirby

Thank you so much I’ll look at that information.

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It's funny because maybe a month or so ago I posed the question if anyone else had developed anemia related to PMR and got little response. So glad to see that I am not alone even if the docs have no clue. I also have tailbone pain and pain in the upper left quadrant of my back when I lie or sit upright for which the docs have no clue. We're not imagining these issues even if mod med hasn't caught up yet. They've tested me, imaged me and found nothing so I keep exercising, eating healthy anti-inflam diet, losing weight and taking supplements to otherwise stay healthy until my body heals itself. Having an incurable condition doesn't mean we have to give in to it. So far I have not taken steroid meds.

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