Diagnosed a long time ago. This week shoulders and upper arm excessive pain. Is this a sign of Polymyalgia rheumatica? Insurance stopped prednisone five years ago and muscles have grown weaker
I was diagnosed with PMR in November, 2023. On prednisone 20 mg until December, 2024 (tried tapering off every 4 weeks..it worked until I got down to 6mg….then had painful relapse.) Went up to 10 mg and started weaning off again…..relapse again. Then Rheumatologist recommended Actemra infusion once a month for 12 months….helped wean off (every 2 weeks) prednisone faster. Now, on Actemra infusion alone…no prednisone. I have had 2 injurious falls in two months - no broken bones, but very bad bruising. Can’t have a bone density until Oct. 2025. Is it affecting anyone else’s leg strength? Trying PT….also on an infusion (Reclast) to help bone density…once a year.
I am a 51 year old male. I was just diagnosed with PMR after a treadmill accident in November. I also have long Covid, Sibo and gastritis. It's been such a battle for me living like this. I have started predisone treatment but I think my dose is too low. He put me on 2.5 mg to 5 Mg daily. My pain in my shoulders is horrible I hope to get my stomach in shape and then start going to the gym again. Any suggestions would be helpful how to fight this disease better.
I am a 51 year old male. I was just diagnosed with PMR after a treadmill accident in November. I also have long Covid, Sibo and gastritis. It's been such a battle for me living like this. I have started predisone treatment but I think my dose is too low. He put me on 2.5 mg to 5 Mg daily. My pain in my shoulders is horrible I hope to get my stomach in shape and then start going to the gym again. Any suggestions would be helpful how to fight this disease better.
Did you see this thread that was active yesterday? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-taper-1/ It talks about the normal starting dose of prednisone for PMR being between 15 and 25 mg. Are you seeing a rheumatologist? If not, it sounds like you should.
As far as getting in shape, you need to get the PMR under control first so that you're not having pain. I have PMR and GCA, and I've been able to keep walking and lifting weights the whole time I've been sick and under treatment. I had to stop jogging for a while and also stop doing certain exercises because of muscle problems from the prednisone, but I've gotten past that recently as I keep tapering the prednisone. You just need to be careful when you're working out. You might need to cut back on the amount of weight you use, and also cut back on the intensity of exercise. Plus you'll need to rest a lot. When I first started treatment I would have one good day and then one bad where I needed a lot of rest. Over time that improves.
I also had SIBO for a while. I got over it by eliminating the FODMAP foods that bothered me, and then slowly reintroduced them. I had to learn what foods I could eat and the right portion sizes to avoid problems.
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I was diagnosed for PMR at 53.
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1 ReactionHi, it was my 50th birthday present... no kidding. On my birthday.
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1 ReactionDid you celebrate your birthday even though you couldn't get out of bed?
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1 ReactionUgh!
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2 ReactionsDiagnosed a long time ago. This week shoulders and upper arm excessive pain. Is this a sign of Polymyalgia rheumatica? Insurance stopped prednisone five years ago and muscles have grown weaker
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1 ReactionLol! I about killed my kidneys with all the nsaids that I took that day. (Live and learn).
It"s the 50th bday gift that never stopps giving. 😉
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1 ReactionI was diagnosed with PMR in November, 2023. On prednisone 20 mg until December, 2024 (tried tapering off every 4 weeks..it worked until I got down to 6mg….then had painful relapse.) Went up to 10 mg and started weaning off again…..relapse again. Then Rheumatologist recommended Actemra infusion once a month for 12 months….helped wean off (every 2 weeks) prednisone faster. Now, on Actemra infusion alone…no prednisone. I have had 2 injurious falls in two months - no broken bones, but very bad bruising. Can’t have a bone density until Oct. 2025. Is it affecting anyone else’s leg strength? Trying PT….also on an infusion (Reclast) to help bone density…once a year.
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1 ReactionMuscles weaker….does PT help?
I am 81.
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1 ReactionI am a 51 year old male. I was just diagnosed with PMR after a treadmill accident in November. I also have long Covid, Sibo and gastritis. It's been such a battle for me living like this. I have started predisone treatment but I think my dose is too low. He put me on 2.5 mg to 5 Mg daily. My pain in my shoulders is horrible I hope to get my stomach in shape and then start going to the gym again. Any suggestions would be helpful how to fight this disease better.
-
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Helpful -
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1 ReactionDid you see this thread that was active yesterday? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-taper-1/ It talks about the normal starting dose of prednisone for PMR being between 15 and 25 mg. Are you seeing a rheumatologist? If not, it sounds like you should.
As far as getting in shape, you need to get the PMR under control first so that you're not having pain. I have PMR and GCA, and I've been able to keep walking and lifting weights the whole time I've been sick and under treatment. I had to stop jogging for a while and also stop doing certain exercises because of muscle problems from the prednisone, but I've gotten past that recently as I keep tapering the prednisone. You just need to be careful when you're working out. You might need to cut back on the amount of weight you use, and also cut back on the intensity of exercise. Plus you'll need to rest a lot. When I first started treatment I would have one good day and then one bad where I needed a lot of rest. Over time that improves.
I also had SIBO for a while. I got over it by eliminating the FODMAP foods that bothered me, and then slowly reintroduced them. I had to learn what foods I could eat and the right portion sizes to avoid problems.