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.

mjdcl57 | @mjdcl57 | Mar 6 11:41am

I'm on a very low dose of prednisone for PMR. I'm a 68 year-old male, generally quite healthy. Work out a lot. Sometime last year my workouts became increasingly difficult, then verging on excruciating. No flexibility. Could barely tie my shoes. Doc (reluctantly) put me on prednisone. The difference is astounding. I'm taking between 10-15 MG per day, trying to stay on the lower side. But ... I cannot take any after 5 PM or I'll be up all night. That's my addition to the discussion.

Now I have a question: Have you found that there is a reluctance by Docs to diagnose PMR? I was first sent to physical therapy, which I knew was probably not the correct path. My Doc is great, and she took me (very carefully) down the PMR diagnosis path. But I have yet to be able to see a rheumatologist. Appointments in Portland are 4-6 months out! Any thoughts? Any commiseration from any of you?

Thanks!!