Patrick
I posted way back in July 2001 after first being diagnosed in March. Had been suffering for 6-8 months and the Rheumy confessed that he'd misdiagnosed me. For approx 6-8 YEARS prior to the real pain onset, I was cold ALL the time, which was very unusual for me. Since I've been on 15mg and now down to 7.5 of prednisone, I'm back to almost normal with my body temp. Does anyone else have this symptom? I'm guessing something else is going on systemically with me but Dr does not seem interested. I've always been the very curious type about everything and I want to know what the cause of this return to near normal body temp is caused by. I suffered with Raynaud's phenomenon (fingertip, toes and nose turn totally white and no blood in these extremities until warm water or warm area were sought out. Another weird thing is that my SED rate is back to the normal ranges but I still have major relapse of PMR if I try to cut down below 7.5 mg of prednisone but SED rate stay within normal range. Also, if I try the 1mg prednisone instead of breaking the 5mg prednisone tabs into smaller dosages, I get VERY fatigued, even though the pain does not return. Pharmacist says it may be the binders used in the lower doses of the prednisone. Weird but pharmacist said he's had other with PMR have trouble with the 1mg prednisone tabs too. They are mfg by the same company but may be at another factory. Anyone having trouble with 1 mg of prednisone tabs may wish to research this too if they're having unexplained bouts of depression and fatigue and are trying the 1 mg tabs. Just a thought and I sure would like to help anyone suffering with this weird and painful malady. I acutally thought I was going crazy until correctly diagnised. BTW, I am a very active, healthy white male, 61 years, living in No Cailf where it's usually fairly warm. However, I cannot swim in my pool very long as my hands and feet still get too cold, despite solar heater. (This is summer time talk, of course. This goes back to the cold body temp I previously mentioned. Prednisone also makes me sweat excessively during the summer months. Anyone else have this cold body/hot sweaty body problem associated with PMR and/or prednisone? Please advise and I hope all have Happy Holidays and a Happy and healthy New Year. Have tried 70mg of Fosamax but causes severe esophagus pain and am switching to Actonel today (12-16-01). Patrick