Muscles don't seem able to repair themselves.

Your answer helps me tremendously. I took my last dose of prednisone in January and was tested and pronounced “in remission “. I have been on a roller coaster since. Recently I’ve been experiencing significant weakness in my calves and quads. Walking was the only exercise I could manage during the active phase of PMR and therefore I thought these muscles would have more reserve. There seems to be nothing I can do to power through it, I simply have to rest and try again later. Apparently I’m not alone in this weirdness.

Yes exactly. Me too last November. Some times walking is a real chore and other days much easier. Swimming is best. Pilates reorients my warped body once a week as I go to a small group not a gym class. One week she will say I’m leaning so what am I protecting? :). I developed a frozen shoulder through this and over two months she has gently extended the range so it’s almost normal. It’s hard work but I’m generally optimistic. Sunshine also really helps and it’s winter here. Sheltered spot for half an hour midday on bare arms and anything else depending on breezes. I had a miracle day back in February but no others. I thought it was completely gone haha. Legs are better to retrain according to my Pilates instructor so maybe that might help?

@rosemargaret I would take PT slowly. Very slowly. Tell your therapist that your PMR thrives off of inflammation and you need to go slow and steady. Exercise elevates inflammation in your body and you definitely don't want a PMR flare from taking PT.

I started back to PT earlier this years and my therapist cut me back to one visit a week, allowed me to do only as many reps of an exercise as I felt up to and it did wonders. I made more progress faster as a result. I am compliant about exercising at home and that helps a lot. I maybe only did 3-5 reps of one exercise at a time, but I spread them out during the day instead of doing them all at once and that helped a lot. I suspect your therapist knows little about PMR.

Listen to your body, it is speaking to you, control the Flare. When PMR flares your body is yelling at you.

I also used ice both at home and at therapy. It helps bring fresh oxygenated blood to the area in addition to helping to reduce the pain.

They discovered a torn meniscus, with surgery later this summer. This taught me to not assume all pain is PMR pain. Again, listen to your body and don't be afraid to go to doctors and advocate for yourself.