PMR and exercise: What helps you?
We are told that we have to stay active but what does that mean? This issue became very real for me when I attempted to swim the crawl stroke in the swimming pool. I was feeling pretty good at the time. The prednisone had kicked in and I swam the equivalent of two laps. The next day my shoulders were on fire and I was suffering a full flare; my first. Maybe everyone reading this will say that I was foolish to do any exercise that involve my shoulders and that I should limit my exercise to other parts of the body like walking or maybe biking. Let’s start a dialogue and find out what exercises work for all of us.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.
Welcome @mombo, There are many different discussions and member comments on PMR and exercise that you might find helpful. Here is a link to the search results for PMR +exercise:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=PMR+%2Bexercise.
HealthUnlocked also has a PMR forum and may be the one mentioned by @camie16. Here is the link - https://pmrgca.org.uk/
Have you been diagnosed with PMR?
That is correct! It is based in UK but the members are from all over the world with many from the US.
Oops, I answered the wrong post!
My PMR is in my thighs and upper right arm. For exercise, I take Silver Sneakers Yoga three times a week, I also walk 1/2 mile to a mile on the treadmill before class. At home, I stretch every morning. Once a week I line dance.
I started out on 15 MG of Prednisone back in December 2022 and worked my way down 1 MG a month until a few months ago. When I was totally of the drug I was bothered by the symptoms of the PMR. I am now back on 5MG and will go down 1 MG a month and try to be drug free again. My Rheumatologist told me that is a low dose. I am not happy that I am back on Prednisone but my symptoms were not as bad as the first time. Hoping that is going into remission. I have had enough of PMR!
I don't know what group Cami16 is referring to, but I joined a Facebook group called PMR and GCA Support that is interesting.
A woman in Australia initiated a Zoom call that about 25 people from all over the world joined in on. It was fascinating to hear the first hand stories that all mimicked each other.
Somehow knowing we aren't alone is comforting.
Thank you. I will look at group up.
Yes- 6 weeks ago, suffered progressive symptoms for 3 months prior to 3 day hospitalization. Enjoying the forum. Thank you.
did PMR put you in hospital? Theresa
Yes- I couldn’t move. I was fried with 90 on the CPR test. We called 911. Then 3 days of tests and IV DECADRON which I don’t recommend due to the powerful sided effects.
These exercises have helped me, especially at first when I could hardly move. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjk27oGh2aQ