PMR in cold or inclement weather

I'm wondering about the same thing. Last winter i was at 10mg and no real weather impact, but this year I'm at 4mg and the cold snap with lows in the 20s (in the SE) and I have significantly more hip pain. Only variable seems to be the weather since I was fine at 4mg before it got colder. Any thoughts from other people with similar experiences?

Also, have you continued to taper with increased seemingly weather related pain or hold at a current level?

I turned up my thermotstats. Seems to definitely help. Bill

I know I’m a little late to the discussion, but I just found this when I was researching. I live in COLORADO, very dry here I have gone into remission with the PMR and life was moving pretty good- then bam there were days that I would wake up and it felt like the very first morning. It hit me a little over a year ago, where I couldn’t even move to get out of bed & I started to notice a pattern. About one to two days before a snow event, which could be 1 inch to 28 inches predicted as the barometric pressure changed so did the pain in my muscles. I’m just a human barometer now. Don’t even have to Doubt the weather persons forecast, I just go how I feel and that means it’s a SNOW event.

Hi @ rereskj,
I have told my husband many times that I apparently missed a late career in meteorology—who knew that I would end up so accurate in my weather predictions. I live in Texas and have discovered that high humidity levels and rain can send me into a tailspin. I am taking a new biologic due to my difficulties with tapering prednisone and am praying that it helps alleviate some of the random pain. Fingers crossed! ❤️

I live in Canada and most definitely the barometric pressure affects my pain level. I've had PMR for over years. Managed to get down to 2 or 3 mg prednisone, but pain increases dramatically with snow storms. Winter is my worst time. Also discovered that red wine increases my pain the next day. White wine, seems to be OK.

Hi. What is your biologic?

I’m on Actemra. I started with a monthly infusion about 3 months ago but my doctor switched me to injections a few weeks back. I believe I am starting to see some improvement but it’s been slow. I was hoping for instant relief because my pain has been ridiculous but I’m grateful that I have not had any side effects. Praying fantastic progress is in my future. Good luck! ❤️

@kmb181 I was redirected to your post after my weather inquiry. I’m also in NC and wondering if Duke has you on or recommended actemra injections? My rheumatologist asked me if I was interested since I’ve also got GCA but I declined for now. I’m only a year in currently and on a prednisone taper. It started in my hips and lower back approx five years ago but I thought it was pain associated with lower back injury from many years ago. When it hit me in my head, neck and shoulders last April I knew something was off. Anyway, I’m curious to know what Duke is doing now for PMR patients and if they have any promising trials going on. Thank you!

@sandiw77 just checking to see how the biologic worked for you, hoping much better!?! Are you or were you on actemra? My rheumatologist is recommending it to me so just looking for good feedback before I commit, thanks!

Hi @tyman23, I think that Actemra has worked reasonably well for me. I was hoping for zero pain but I still experience some persistent pain primarily in my back and not PMR related. I also have degenerative disc disease and a history of back spasms and spinal fusion. Actemra has enabled me to successfully reduce the amount of prednisone that I was taking before. My reduction is slower than I would like but I have continued to successfully reduce without elevating my CRP or SED rate. That was not possible without Actemra. I have also not experienced any negative side effects from the drug. I pray that would be your experience also. I’d love to know what you decide. Blessings! ❤️