Feeling tired! Do others with PMR feel significantly more tired?

You might want to chat with your doctor if there any other causes of your fatigue. One that is easily checked is your thyroid functioning (with a blood test). In terms of naps, there are many cultures where it is the custom to have an afternoon nap. And, I find that a short one (about 20 minutes) in the afternoon is just what I need.

@guillamocan thanks you for your suggestion. When I had the initial PMR onset 3 years ago my thyroid numbers went off the rails. I have had thyroid replacement therapy for close to 20 years. We had just tried a minor refinement in my thyroid medications - yes I take two meds. Went in for the 90 check and blood work and the numbers actually looked like nothing we could have expected. My Endocrinologist immediately put me back on the pre-onset dosages of my thyroid meds. Her position was we know what the numbers were on that dosage, even if they were in need of fine tuning. It has taken over two years to stabilize my thyroid numbers and I am back to semi-annual visits. Pre onset I was at annual visits. I suppose that is progress but somehow it does not always feel that way.

My Endocrinologist admits she knows little about PMR but committed to me that she will spend some time researching it since I have PMR. To her knowledge I am her only PMR patient.

Yes I too take 20 min to 1 hour naps almost daily. Prior to PMR onset I did not need naps like I do now. This too is a small adjustment albeit inconvenient sometimes.

Thanks, I'll up my B12 and see!

Please ask your doctor to check you vitamin B level - quick blood text. It is very difficult for most people on an American diet to not consume an appropriate amount of vitamin B in their diet. I am an exception since is seems that my body does not process it as well since post PMR onset. I only take about one or two B supplements per week, definitely not daily.

The good news is that vitamin B is water soluble and your kidneys will simply process the surplus out of your system. Your urine will turn bright yellow based on the amount being eliminated. Always be careful about the potential for vitamin and/or mineral overload which can be harmful. Please do research to make sure you know what normal is and where you are. Self medicating with supplements can be successful but it also can be dangerous.

With the initial onset of my PMR flare I had fatigue like you could not believe. At times I had to take a 20 minute nap following my shower. My PCP found I was anemic and the cause was chased with no cause ever found and thus never treated. It eventually self corrected. Prior to the onset of PMR I had hypothyroidism and was stable on meds. With the onset of PMR my thyroid numbers ran off the rails and this too self corrected over time. I'm telling you this because both of those problems contribute to fatigue. Also, I am not on prednisone and I am fatigued most days. I suggest that the cause of fatigue for people with PMR is multi-faceted and not just one cause, not just the drug. If you haven't had blood work to check hemoglobin and thyroid numbers you might want to talk with your doctor.

Beginning in 2008, I have had two flares of PMR and both times I was extremely exhausted due to the fact that when I lay down to rest I experienced intense hammering pain in my shoulders, neck, hips and thighs. For months on end I was unable to sleep or even relax due to this pain. When I finally received prednisone treatment, the pain was relieved almost immediately so that I was able to sleep and rest. No other medications had even the slightest effect on the pain and discomfort of my PMR. However, hot showers and movement were helpful during the day, but as soon as I laid down to rest, the pain intensified.

Thanks for the reply, i have had all the blood tests nothing out of normal. I believe the fatigue is symptoms of the auto immune also combined with side effects of certain medications. The best i have been in three years was when I was on a biological weekly injection unfortunately it flared my diverticulitis so i had to cease using it, when i was on it i felt like i did pre diagnosis just wonderful!

I am finding drinking 8 cups of water mixed with 1\4 teas Himalayan salt and 1 whole lemon juice. Stevie to sweeten helps with fitague. Sip all day. Helps me!

Before my PMR hit (September 2021) -- all kinds of energy -- PCP and RA specialist put me on 40 mg of prednisone -- sugar went out the roof -- BUT, I had more energy for sure -- I was down to 5 mg of prednisone alone with 8 / 2.5 mg of Methotrexate one day a week --- my hips and tops of my legs hurt / stiff -- RA specialist increased prednisone to 7.5 mg while still on the Methotrexate ------- I am totally worn out - no energy ------ my 'mo-jo' is gone ----------- anybody else feel like this ?????

I too suffer from severe fatigue and am on Methotrexate along with Prednisone. Right now on 15mg Methotrexate and tapering down to 9 mg Prednisone. However, I still have the flu feeling...weakness in arms and legs. I refuse to give in to this beast! Are you having any side effect from the Methotrexate?