Honestly I was so exhausted after that Fever game I forgot to post the results from Mayo! Blood tests remain an out the same for PMR – polymyalgia rheumatica. X rayed my hands for rheumatoid arthritis (they look like it) but none seen – just hands that have seen years of work. I should be taking a multivitamin and need a. Urgent bone density test because Prednisone is hard/bad on bones.
She lowered my dosage a tiny bit for 4 weeks and that will continue to be lowered little by little. I have so many side effects from the Prednisone that I wonder if it’s worth it. The most disturbing one is rapid weight gain – I’ve gained 8 lbs – fast – I’m starving all the time. I have not developed headaches or change of vision. I do have more energy than before and it has affected my sleep big time.
The most shocking thing I learned is that it could take up to 5 years to get off Prednisone.😫
For bone density, start jumping rope or other impact exercises.
Lori – I used to jump rope a lot but not since I had both knees replaced.
Kim, please do keep us posted on Greece & Turkey. We’d love to hear about your travels. Not much happening here – that’s a good thing. The weather this weekend and next week will be brutal – in the 100’s. A good time to stay in the house. Have a nice weekend everyone.
Yes that is hard on your bone density. I just learned that i have osteoporosis. Had to figure out what medication to take. I cannot take pills because I do not absorb lots of things because of celiac. All options have side effects! Everything just causes more problems! Whats a person to do?
Polly – yikes – how will they treat your osteoporosis if you can’t take a pill?
I am taking a shot every 6 months. All options have side effects. Oh well I am old so at least I should not brake a hip!
Polly Perkins, Take a look at Margaret Martin’s Melio Guide website at https://melioguide.com/ Janice, Traverse City area
In our area there are classes called Bone Builders that help. Most groups meet twice a week but we meet for an hour three times a week. And they are free to practically free. The top doc for bones at our big regional hospital s wife, probably in her fifties and very fit looking, comes to our workouts. Not at all sure but Bone Builders may be a National thing. Physical therapists send patients to Bone Builders. You start exercises with light weights and work up to usually around 5 pound weights for both arms and legs.
How nice that you can step out a window and get on the roof. Nice to know that there is no arthritis in your hand just hard work taking its toll. I was put on prednisone recently due to a severe case of poison ivy. It did help with the itching and blistery after 3 days and I took it for 22 days. I also found myself very hungry and wanting salty foods. I can’t imagine being on it long term but if it helps what can one do? We drove to O’hare and flew 10 hours to Athens, Greece, spending the night in Athens then boarding a cruise ship tomorrow afternoon. Greece and Turkey were on our bucket list and its finally happening.
Kim – oh my gosh! You’re in Greece and Turkey? Wow! And I’m talking about being on my roof – haha!!! A bit of a difference there, huh? Yes, I’m always thinking about the next meal or can I have a snack – I hate it! But I can’t be so sick and I will be sick without Prednisone – yes, what am I do? Give us some brief updates as to what you’re seeing – I can’t be the only one interested.
Thanks for the update!!! Any thoughts on a calcium supplement? It won’t reverse the prednisone effects but maybe slow them down? I would check with the doctor before starting.
With all the time in the sunshine Mary might get plenty of calcium absorption benefit in foods she eats. Nothing like fresh air and sunshine to feed the soul.
Thanks for the good health news, as well as staying off ladders! I do hand exercises regularly – stretch, flex, all around, thread needles, pick up tiny things, just keep moving! Happy days to you, Mary!
I have a grandson who was on that for yrs from age 5 for connective tissue disorder. He is 30 now. No children. Sad.
Cooler today but the weekend is looking at 90s. Yikes. I am staying home. Actually I am home next week because day retreat canceled, Someone booked another retreat and told me about it. And I took 2 days to decide a no to that one. I need to be home to get things done around the house. Burn out is another word for it!
Good morning, Mary and readers of the blog! Happy Friday. I am going to get out to Camden Stste Park today to check the Bluebird trail. I am thinking only one Bluebird and maybe one tree swallow nest with chicks are still there, the rest have fledged. Soon we will take them down again for winter storage. The lilies are all blooming in my gardens and the cosmos and zinnias are still growing. No blooms. The rains have given us mosquitoes but rain is beneficial, wil need to use bug spray when I check the Bluebird trail. Still working on going thru stacks of items in the sewing room. Binding projects ahead as well. Yes a slow taper down on prednisone is good but it can take time. My youngest daughter had a three-year taper. It is a wonder drug. I hope to do some flower garden work and hand stitching on the binding, I am impatient and just want this completed so I have to get at it.
Wow 5 yrs to get off prednisone. I knew about weight gain, medication all ways has side effects.
Mary, please be careful on the roof. I would not get up there at all.
Enjoy the summer.
Deb – but did you see it isn’t steep? And I forgot to say I step through a window – I don’t even have to get on a ladder – I would NOT get on a ladder to get up there!