I too get overwhelmed by anything with more that a few steps- or anything "fiddly," as you put it. I don't know whether it is the prednisone, but I am definitely shying away from anything at all complicated.
I used to be very methodical and could go from one step to the next. Now (if I can't avoid doing something complex), I have to make a list with separate steps and not try to do them all at once. This morning I'll read the website on filing a tax amendment; another time I'll find and review the documents; etc. Grr.
Very interesting Dave - I had forgotten my mood swings could be due to the pred (i am currently on 10 mg). I teach art at the elementary level and had noticed I had a super short fuse after starting my pred (5 at first, then 10 when 5 didn't work - odd to start so low but it worked for me and my blood levels are now much improved at 10 mg). So then I got talking with one of the paraeducators who was on a rather high dose of pred (40 mg) for reaction to poison ivy. She found herself exploding at the drop of a pin so she actually took a few days off work till they tapered down her dose (doesn't have PMR). That is when I realized that when I was getting so impatient with bad behavior of my kiddos it was probably due to the pred. I also get lack of concentration, but I had that before. Glad it is raining in California, you guys need it!
This is me almost to a T, but put much better than I could ever have explained it. Fortunately (so far) I have not said anything I have regretted. Now we are more aware and remove ourselves from stressful situations, I am sure it will be beneficial for our own health in the long run.
Your episode does describe my transient global amnesia period. I couldn't remember what they called it when Iwrote it.
I do have 'moments' when I can tackle 'fiddly' - few and far between though.
I'm happy to simplify life, and don't you think we all deserve to go out to dinner now instead of cooking at our age It was very frustrating/depressing at first, but I am now enjoying the lazier lifestyle.
I sometimes think that stress helped get me in the situation I am in, so I am now looking at life through different eyes, and am avoiding
I can't remember how old you are Layne , you probably have told us, but you probably won't be a spring chicken, if you were nearing retirement. You have earned a good rest, maybe earlier than you had expected, but take this as your time to relax. I hope the 'couldn't care less' periods take over from your 'feel like a failure' periods. Take time out for yourself, destress, treat yourself and we will all live in the hope that we will all spring back to life after this PMR burns itself out.
I talked to a friend today who did have an extreme 'head' reaction to Pred. Within 24 hours she had taken to the windows in her house with a brick, because her partner did not open the door immediatly when she knocked. It scared them both, as it was so out of character for her. She was changed to another similar drug and had no further reaction. I guess we should be aware, that it can cause major changes in moods