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@jiffaw

My PMR first started manifesting in my hands and wrists on New Years Day. Everyone thought it was carpal tunnel but it was bilateral and then it spread. I had no strength and couldn’t close my hands. It soon went to my biceps, then shoulders & hips etc. Soon I couldn’t do anything! I was started on 15 mg. of prednisone and methotrexate. I’ve since titrated down to 5.5 mg prednisone daily and take 20 mg methotrexate once a week. I can slightly feel PMR in my hands and wrists but I can deal with it and try to ignore it - keeping busy in my garden.
I fall asleep every time I sit down.
I want to get off prednisone because it gave me type 2 diabetes! I’m extremely strict with my diet and have gotten off insulin. It’s also affected my teeth and I’m sure my bones are under attack. My rheumatologist wants me to go on kevsara, but I’m not wanting to be on an expensive drug that I have to stay on for years! My hair is thinning from methotrexate.
I think the doctors just experiment on us with all of these dangerous drugs that carry their own list of warnings of life threatening conditions that just cause us even more issues. I was very healthy and then something suddenly went wrong and caused my body to start attacking itself and I want to know what that is!

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Replies to "My PMR first started manifesting in my hands and wrists on New Years Day. Everyone thought..."

I am tapering my prednisone dose and am now down to 5mg . My rheumatologist wants me to stay there until I see him in October. I'm taking it because I have Giant[Large] Cell Arteritis, a complication of PMR. I also have a weekly injection of Actemra. But, like you I developed Type 2 diabetes . I was not impressed. I could not tolerate Metformin[ I was hospitalised] so I have been having insulin. Now I have just been told that I can stop the insulin which delights me. Like you I have been fairly strict with my diet , I have lost 6 kgs but always wonder what is next going to happen due to prednisone. I see my ophthalmologist next week because all this drug taking has been to save my eyesight.