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PMR and Depression
For almost three years I have been tapering off Prednisone. I am on a cocktail of medication, including pregabalin, tyeene, prednisone, and sometimes celebrex. And yet, the pain is there, always there. Sometimes debilitating, sometimes on a good day tweeks just to remind me it is there. I get up in the morning and go directly to the cocktail that is going to (in an hour or two) allow me to move around with limited pain. I then usually have a few hours in which I get to work and am able to do my job without thinking about PMR. Bur around afternoon and by dinner I am left wondering if I have it in me to make dinner and walk the dogs.
Then I get up and do the same the next day.
My doctor believes the pain is real but insists I should not go back up on my dose. She is, of course, right as I know the downfalls of being on a steroid for too long. I see what ill effects it has on the rest of my body. What is the lesser evil?
Most days my husband treats me like I am an 80 year old (I am 62). He can't help it. He sees the pain and doesn't want me to endure it. Pain is a terrible thing to have every day, and I am becoming depressed. I see a therapist and I am deeply spiritual with a tremendous support system.
Just curious if anyone else feels the same? And if this is addressed in any other forum?
Peace.
Therese
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Has anyone experienced depression/emotional lability/ crying for no reason while tapering prednisone after long term use?
That is a really good, thought-provoking question. I have felt weepy as I get down to the lower doses of Prednisone. In a strange way it seems freeing to fell the weepiness, as I seem to be giving expression to the things that may have contributed to overload, which may have set up the PMR condition. I seem to be putting thoughts in slots, and the weepiness seems not only a good thing, but appropriate. In other words, I probably should have been crying before, but couldn’t. Great question, Thanks.
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4 ReactionsMaybe it's not the prednisone tapering but the PMR itself causing you to feel this way. The tapering is just a reminder of what you have gone through, and still are.
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2 ReactionsI am struggling with depression, I’m now down to 2 1/2 mg of prednisone. I’m trying to be proactive: going outside, meeting with friends, eating good food and setting small goals. It helps until the evening when I crash.
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3 ReactionsI have been experiencing this but I tapered to zero and not my pain is returning. Mornings are the worst. I don't know if I am weepy from chronic pain or being disappointed that the PMR is returning or was never gone. I don't want to go back on prednisone but the pain is getting hard to tolerate. Most days I improve by mid afternoon.
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2 ReactionsHello @staylorrn2000,
I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled:
"PMR and Depression"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-and-depression-1/
Here you can meet members talking about tapering off of prednisone and experiencing symptoms including depression among others.
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3 Reactions@susanpmr
Experiencing the same. Had tapered to 1mg, relapsed and had to increase to 2mg. Now tapering again at 1.5mg. and can feel the depression and fatigue rising. Has been such a long road as now at 2yr. mark.
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2 Reactions@rocksology
I watched a youtube video on the Neurographic art therapy that you mentioned. Thank you for the tip. I felt more relaxed just watching it.
Absolutely! My husband ( a nurse anethetist), just doesn’t seem to realize how difficult it is to be so stiff and in pain, unable to function. We are in our 70’s and live on a sheep farm. I feel bad not being able to help, much. I can usually manage to get things done in the morning, but by afternoon, I need a nap. Which usually messes with my nighttime sleep🤷♀️. I have had it off and on for 11 years. What helps me most ( besides prayer) is drinking coffee as soon as I get up. Google coffee and PMR. I’m not a chemist, but has something to do with atosine. It is easy to get depressed, but then I remind myself there are people worse-off than me. I have been doing watercolor for 2 years and it helps lift my spirits. If I haven’t been able to do much else all day, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I made something…. Prayers for us all….
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2 Reactions@lovesport I am glad to have found this forum. It helps knowing there are others that relate to how you feel… I was diagnosed at 59, and was strong before that. Was in the hospital for 3 weeks when I got septic from cholescystectomy, which may have lead to my PMR…. I am 70 now. My PMR has been intermittent…
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