1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Unexplained severe fatigue without tapering .

Posted by spainishlady @spainishlady, Oct 16, 2022

I have been taking 11 mg Prednisolone for 3 weeks now and have been tapering from 15 mg starting in June . Due to taper down to 10 mg this week but out of the blue have suffered extreme fatigue and shoulder , neck and left arm aches and stiffness over the last 3 days . These are manageable but I don’t understand why I would suddenly feel so wrecked when everything was going along smoothly . Be grateful for any thoughts .
Thanks .

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

ddmo | @ddmo | Oct 17, 2022
In reply to @marymv "Hello ddmo, Take a look at my story if u can. My PMR s/s started within..." + (show)
@marymv

Hello ddmo,
Take a look at my story if u can. My PMR s/s started within 36 hrs of my 2nd Pfizer COVID Vac. Diagnosed almost 3 months later. 22 mnths later I still have it but down from 20mg to 7.5mg. My Dr's say it was undeniably brought on by my immune response to the vaccine. Best of luck to you!
Best,
Mary

Jump to this post

interesting to say the least.............i went from 7.5 to 5 to 3, 2....then 1. Then what a relapse.. !! Will b seeing the rheum. doc Thurs... been on pred for 16months approx. prob will increase the pred... Here we go again...How long have u been on 7.5? How r the pains? Best of luck 2U2
Dianne

REPLY
1 reply
suetex | @suetex | Oct 18, 2022

My experience with acute fatigue has been twice: Once at the beginning of the year I had abnormal labs indicating an viral infection (high white count and monocytes up). Covid negative. Only symptoms were fatigue and depression. Took about 6 wks to get right. And the other time I had been bucked off my horse amd had adrenal shock. Very weak for two days. So adrenals really are an issue. Also if you have surgery, you need to discuss with rheumy and/or anesthesiologis about being temporalily boosted with pred. It will be a challenge to your system and your adrenal gland.

REPLY
midge | @midget | Oct 18, 2022
In reply to @sharonanng "I know where you are coming from! I am 78, almost 79 and was very active..." + (show)
@sharonanng

I know where you are coming from! I am 78, almost 79 and was very active and healthy prior to PMR. It is hard to come to terms with such a different me from who I was 6 months ago. Sometimes I feel like I don't know who I am.
However, I am also a realist, and the reality is that I just may have to deal with this for the rest of my life. I can do most of the things I need to do, just at a slower pace. Frustrating, at times, but doable, and I continue to push myself to be as active as possible.
I so appreciate this space which gives us a place to vent, to learn and to appreciate each other.

Jump to this post

Yes I absolutely agree with your sentiments. I too was a fit 73 year old. Am now on 7mg tapering slowly after following specialist advice and tapering too quickly from 40mg Pred. Have faith we may yet get that get go back.

REPLY
christi48 | @christi48 | Oct 18, 2022
In reply to @ddmo "i also feel my PMR was a result of Covid vaccine and boosters. any thoughts?" + (show)
@ddmo

i also feel my PMR was a result of Covid vaccine and boosters. any thoughts?

Jump to this post

Me, too...

REPLY
1 reply
marymv | @marymv | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @ddmo "interesting to say the least.............i went from 7.5 to 5 to 3, 2....then 1. Then what..." + (show)
@ddmo

interesting to say the least.............i went from 7.5 to 5 to 3, 2....then 1. Then what a relapse.. !! Will b seeing the rheum. doc Thurs... been on pred for 16months approx. prob will increase the pred... Here we go again...How long have u been on 7.5? How r the pains? Best of luck 2U2
Dianne

Jump to this post

Hello Dianne,
Weaning below 10mg has been the challenge for me. We started reducing 1mg a month in January so 10mnths ago. I got to 6mg in July pain & stiffness worsened. I tried to tough it out for 2 months as I am dying to get off the Pred but my Dr. says we have to get the inflammation down as my symptoms worsened & CRP is up again...so back up to 7.5. After 1wk I was much better. Gonna try 1/2 mg a month decrease now.
Best,
Mary

REPLY
1 reply
ddmo | @ddmo | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @marymv "Hello Dianne, Weaning below 10mg has been the challenge for me. We started reducing 1mg a..." + (show)
@marymv

Hello Dianne,
Weaning below 10mg has been the challenge for me. We started reducing 1mg a month in January so 10mnths ago. I got to 6mg in July pain & stiffness worsened. I tried to tough it out for 2 months as I am dying to get off the Pred but my Dr. says we have to get the inflammation down as my symptoms worsened & CRP is up again...so back up to 7.5. After 1wk I was much better. Gonna try 1/2 mg a month decrease now.
Best,
Mary

Jump to this post

saw my rheumy last week. he said there is NO TIMELINE .. very good advice for me, as i was down to 1mg and horrible pain (thighs, neck back of waist) back up to 5 and feel so much better.. hate the pred but got to go with the flow. Doc said taper down every 2 weeks.. 5,4,3,2, and then my next appt. Good luck to you. I feel your pain lol
Dianne

REPLY
keelin | @keelin | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @christi48 "Me, too..." + (show)
@christi48

Me, too...

Jump to this post

Definitely! There was a no other possible reason for this debilitating problem, except that COVID vaccine. Started after first one, worsened after second one . It has destroyed my life.
Wish I could Sue someone since my can’t work either.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.