New to PMR diagnosis

Posted by deborah57 @deborah57, Mar 6, 2024

Hi, I am new here and just finding my way. I have some questions. I was recently diagnosed with PMR. I took the initial diagnostic dose of tapered Methylprednisolone and responded immediately so my Dr prescribed 5mg Prednisone while I am waiting to see a Rhematologist.
I haven't started taking it yet.
I am terrified of prednisone. I'm sensitive to drugs and have had numerous bad experiences with some of them. I'm healthy, eat clean, don't drink or smoke, get exercise daily.
Here are some of my questions:
I see a lot of discussion about people trying to taper off Pred. How long are people usually on it before starting to try and taper? If you have been on the drug for awhile, when and why would you decide to taper?
Does anyone have experience with inter muscular injections? Or the new Biologic KevZara?

thanks for any information!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

ronettejersey | @ronettejersey | Nov 25, 2024

I had never heard of PMR, or any of the other related diseases. And always jumped out of bed early, after sleeping like a log all night. Never had any type of arthritic pain or ache, so was completely taken aback when I had trouble with my legs getting up one morning.
Next thing I knew, this pain had traveled into my shoulders and arms, and got so unbearable I went to see my primary care doctor. He took a blood test (confusing results) which showed inflammation. He put me on Prednisone 20 for one week, and I started to feel much better, but then reduced it to 10 mg the next week, which left me in horrendous pain in the morning. It's as if I cannot move or pick up my arms, even to make a cup of coffee. And getting dressed is unbelievably painful.
My doctor upped the dosage back to 20 mg, and some days I feel like my old self again with all my normal energy, but another day (like today) I am in pain and quite irritable and depressed.
I have an appointment with my doctor next week, to seek a good rheumatologist. I need to get over this dreadful energy-draining illness.
My doctor did ask me if I had some type of virus or cough before all this started, but I didn't - What I did have was a slight itchy rash at the waistline which went away after applying calamine lotion for a few days. He also asked me if I had been bitten by a bug or any other type of odd occurrence, I had not.
Does the weather change have anything to do with PMR? Such as extremely cold days, or the shift from summer to winter?
This PMR came out of the blue and has completely sidelined me, find myself still stunned at the fatigue and pain.