Polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms and conditions

I have been on Prednisone for 3 months for PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica)and so far the pros have far outweighed the cons. PMR is an extremely painful condition that affects the shoulders and hips especially at night and early morning, I spent all of December and January sitting upright in a chair trying to sleep, untill I was diagnosed and prescribed Prednisone and oxycodone. I started at 25 mg and I'm now down to 15mg. The side effects that I do have are weight gain (about 10 pounds), mild mood swings and insomnia.I am an avid bicycle rider (25-35 training miles per day on week days a lot more over the weekend),I am 60 years old and now back on the bike. The strange thing is after about one month back in training I am much stronger this year than last even with the added weight. Last year, a solo, 30 mile hard ride I would average about 17 mph this week I went out on my same training ride at 19.4 mph, over 2 mph faster. Everything I read about Prednisone says that it wastes muscles,but I have become stronger. Is it possible that it's the Prednisone?

I have had a severe case of polymyalgia rheumatica and was initially put on 60 mg of prednisone a day. It was wonderful! Within hours my pain level dropped almost in half. From there the pain has gradually improved even more. I went to 40 mg per day to 20 mg per day to 15 mg per day. Have been on the 15 mg for 2 months now and want off as soon as possible. Yes, I too have the moon face, camel hump, slight weight gain, nausea, digestive problems, cramps, depression, etc. Not fun! My question is - does anyone experience burning/stinging in their face, arms and legs from the prednisone? I wonder if it is the polymyalgia rheumatica or if this is a side effect from the steroid. Thanks for your comments.

I started with 60 mg per day for polymyalgia rheumatica and now after two years have weaned myself down to 5 mg per day. I have a side effect that I have not read anyone else having. It has effected my taste buds. Many foods that I loved in the past, have a foreign taste to me. I am 66, male and have tried to drop down to 2 1/2 mg but the pain is too intense to remain at that level, so had to return to 5 mg. I have lots of pain in the feet and especially toes. I can tell that I am getting better and am very anxious to get off of Prednisone.

Was on Prednisone 2 years ago for respiratory problems 30mg. Gained 25 pounds, fat face, felt tired, etc.

However 2 years later, after weaning off Prednisone my muscles ache, joints are most always stiff, esp. hands plus my feet feel numb and my short term memory has not returned to normal----does any one else out there have similar problems. What can be done?

In January I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). I was put on 60 mg prednisone and an array of other meds to help with pain, inflammation, water retention, and stomach problems from everything. I've lost some vision from the TA. I've experienced the weight gain, the moon face, stomach problems, depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, lack of memory and concentration, and generally feel miserable. The brain fog is awful! I don't trust myself doing much of anything these days!

When I was first put on the prednisone it completely took away all my TA and PMR symptoms. I could walk and get up and down again, didn't have the headaches, and didn't hurt all over.
My doctor tried to taper my dosage about 6 weeks ago and all my symptoms returned and increased as I went down on the prednisone. He upped me back to 60. That time the symptoms didn't go away. They lessened but were still there.

He's trying to taper again, and I'm down to 30 mg now and feel worse and worse. My sed rate has been normal, so the doctor thinks it's from the prednisone. Does it mimic all the TA and PMR symptoms? I also am having a lot of hand and feet cramping.

Does anyone else have these two illnesses? I would be interested in your experience. I want off these meds! Anyone found an alternative approach that's helped?

God bless!

I was recently hospitalized for an acute episode of polymyalgia rheumatica and discharged on 60mg of prednisone/day. I have taken smaller doses in the past but this amount has really affected me negatively. For the first 2 weeks, I felt an inability to think clearly. The dose has been reduced to 50mg/day and the thinking has improved. After 1 month, I have the moon face and severe bruising. However, my biggest concern is that I am now experiencing extreme muscle weakness. I feel like my muscles are detiorating. My dose is being reduced to 45mg/day now. Has anyone experiences a similar side effect?

Since May 1st, I was put on Prednisone for extreme physical inmobility. My first doctor (in emergency room of hospital)diagnosed me as having Polymyalgia Rheumatica. However, my specialist is still unsure as all test results have not come back. I was on a heavier dosage of prednisone and tapered off for 1 week when symptom reoccured. My specialist has me down to 2 pills a day and mobility has resumed. During this time, I have experienced skin rashes, tremendous hair loss, cramping in legs, pain in right arm, joint pains and stiffness. I look like I am pregnant at 68 yrs. old. What's with the stomach bloating? I hate the taste of the pills, the nervousness it creates. Can arthritis be this painful to the point I can't move at all? . As a woman... and vain....It makes me want to cry at the hair loss I go through every day.
There maybe more health issues with me than I am unware of at this moment. Is taking Prednisone a commonly prescribed medication for arthritis or other related issues?
There should be another drug with less side effects.

I take 10 mg prednisone for my emphysema.Since I started taking it I have gained twenty pounds and have unusal skin rash on my face plus I become irratated at times for very little reason.Up until I started taking it I was allways skinny.I hate this stuff!!!!

I had been on Prednisone for 6 mo. -started at 40 mgm.and decreased it 10 mgm. every mo. -ending with 2 1/2 mgm. I have been off it completely for 5 days and the pain had returned & is getting worse. I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica.What can I do & is this nirmal? Thank you , Marilyn

Even at 5 mg I have increased appetite, weight gain, insomnia. I have been on prednisone since 1997 for polymyalgia rheumatica. When I have a flare, I take 20 mg for a few days and titrate down to 5 mg which seems to be the dose I need for pain relief. I do not like the side effects at all. Are there any other medications without side effects?

I bagan taking prednisone 2 1/2 years ago for polymyalgia rheumatica. My doctor told me I would only be on it about 6 months, but I am still trying to get off of it. I am slowly trying to reduce the dose and am now at 1 m a day, but I am so tired and ache. I have been at 1 m about 1 week. About the time I got to 2 m I developed alot of congestion and have started taking over the counter medience for that. It helps, but when I don't take it, the congestion comes back. I have also started taking aspirin for the aches and stiffness I have in the morning when I get up. Has anyone had this happen to them when trying to lower the dose of prednisone? I can fight it if it will eventually go away. Anything to get off this drug.

weight gain, muscle cramps in legs and hands, large, colorless
welts on face with slight indentation in center. My dermatologist says that they will disappear when I am off the drug - have been on for about a year and a half for polymyalgia rheumatica - pain relief is worth the symptoms, but the facial welts concern me. I am only on 4 mg a day now and will hopefully be able to reduce by 1 mg a month until I'm off....last time when I got down to 3 mg my pmr symptoms returned- I have also developed small cataracts although I'm not certain they were caused by prednisone.

I have been on prednisone for nine years.
I was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. I was started on 80mg. I am presently taking 5mg. I have been down to 2.5mg. every other day, but my sed rate goes dangerously high. Then I go back to a high dose and very slowly taper again. I have had a compression fracture of the spine, cataracts, thin bruising skin, excessive sweating day and night, sleeplessness, mood swings, moon face, and I have gained 80 lbs.(mostly abdominal), My feet and shins ache, you name the side effect I have it. How can I get off this drug?

After starting Advair last Nov. I suddenly had so much pain in legs and arms. Difficult to walk or lift anything. This pain continued until spring when I demanded a diagnosis. It was diagnosed as polymyalgia rheumatica. They do not know what causes it. I already had fibromyalgia. After prednisone for one day ALL pain and stiffness disappeared and I need to take prednisone for one year. I noticed others with fibromyalgia had much increased pain after Advair