Has anyone fought Polymyalgia without prednisone successfully?

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. So many people say NSAIDs don't help, but it does seem they are helpful when the pain isn't so great, and when blood work is normal. I feel like there's no 'safe' drug, so both prednisone and NSAIDs need to be monitored, and both can have side effects. Please know I was glad to hear you found something that worked for you. I also hope you might find better doctors down the road, that take your pain seriously. Best wishes!

Not sure how long it took exactly. I know I wanted to die for the first year. Then it slowly just got noticeably better and I started tapering the ibuprofen. Terrible illness. Good luck to you.

Hi Gail.
Would you be willing to share a little about your PMR? How did it feel to you? Bi-lateral, I take it, for starters. Any info about how it felt to you and where it was located would be very much appreciated.
Also, have you had any reflux or other issues from the Ibuprofen? Even sporadically?
Do you take your Ibuprofen with food, just water, milk? And at any time of day or night?
Lastly, how often are you checked and do you know what labs are measured?
Thanks so very much! I have not been formally diagnosed yet, but pretty darned sure I have PMR. I am also trying the Ibuprofen route, but so far only taking 1 200 mg per day at bedtime. Been about 30 days now. I take it with a piece of bread and cup of Lactaid. I did eat a larger than normal dinner last night, 1 cookie and a little Skinny Pop after 9:30, then took the Advil.
Again, best to you and many thanks. I keep getting interrupted! Hope this makes sense.

I started with groin and hip pain which came on very suddenly. Progressed quickly to shoulder, arm, and hand pain which was very debilitating. Always bilateral. I saw several NS and a pain doctor. Also several general physicians. One finally said it sounded like PMR and sent me, several times, for the blood work which was always normal. So, he diagnosed arthritis and said live with it. Never did see a rheumatologist because no one suggested it. When I found this web site it all fit together but by then I was so far into it I didn't want to see a NS or start prednisone, especially since I had chemo 25 years ago which messed with my bones. When it was really bad I was taking 600 mg 3 times a day. Morning and evening with dinner and in the middle of the night with some crackers/antacids. I do like the ibuprofen because it is an anti inflamatory (sp). I get a complete blood work up once a year now and so far things are good that way. I'm sure this is not the way to go for everyone but at this point I stay as far away from doctors as possible. I really feel I was let down. Good luck to you.

Forgot to say, I am 77 but very active including riding my horses.

Wow! That Ibuprofen must really be helping if you can still ride! Maybe it's not PMR! Have you tried weaning off the Ibuprofen and seeing how you feel? You may not need it or as much anyway. No heart issues I take it.
Fully understand that you don't want to go thru prednisone after having had chemo. It can mess with a lot, bones for certain. I already have osteoporosis so the thought of this drug eating my bones along with all the other side effects, most of which I already have (extreme anxiety, insomnia, borderline BP, tachy, well, every symptom. Next week I will have an ultrasound by the rheum I see (who is leaving medicine next month. She's a good doc, figured she'd go) and "determine" if this is PMR. After labs, of course, which I have to beg for. I feel like, unless you're "connected," you are apt to less than adequate care. It's incredibly mind-boggling to me. I am 100% convinced that age has something to do with it. Once you hit a certain point, it's so pathetically obvious. Thanks for sharing and may you continue, hopefully pain-free to enjoy a wonderful and healthy life doing the things you love.

Just interjecting a caution comment about ibuprofen. My husband was taking it for back pain, started having stomach issues, had an endocopy. He had developed a very large ulcer and we were lucky to get it under control before it progressed to something worse.

I could not take Predisone. Dr put me on Actemra Infusion.
Is anyone else on that.
It is helping. I go once a month. Theresa

Side effects from Actemra? And from Pred?
So glad it's working for you.

How much ibu was he taking per day and for how long?
Also wonder about his ibu use before the back issues.
What kind of stomach issues was he having?
Very happy to hear it was caught and treated. How did the doc treat his ulcer? Hope your husband has found something else to control his back pain that is not as tough on him!