Aging

@nanniepie, @tuckerp and all... Well. welcome to reality and our new world of crazy medical surprises and medications that affect our entire body. I'm a 78 year old woman, in about 2 weeks! Thrilled to have this birthday. Aging is a good thing to me, as I'm alive, enjoying life at whatever stage or level I can at the moment. It is a roller-coaster with high good days, and low not so good days. I suppose a bunch depends on how you perceive this part of life, and how you accept the changes you see in your face, your body and your life. I found a couple years ago that that is the key to my joy in life. Acceptance...

You didn't mention your age, so I'm not sure where you are in this process. But, I suggest you use Perplexity or Google...I've disowned Google due to my perceived bias on that site. Perplexity is free and I am thrilled with the clear, unbiased information I get on the site, with no sponsored links! Anyway, do your research. Check the effects you may have of medications. Steroids, Prednisone and such, have impacted my life in many ways.

I have multiple autoimmune diseases, including PMR, and have taken Prednisone off and on for decades. My body reacts in fairly normal ways, as I understand it... I gain weight-yucky! Usually, 2040 pounds, depending on the dosage strength. My belly is enlarged, partially due to the Prednisone and I believe partially due to a loss of height in the last decade. I was until several years ago, 5'10". I am now 5'6" tall. Quite a loss in height that surely is partially causing my belly to enlarge as organs find comfortable places to hang out... Not a medical diagnosis, just logical and from my point of view trying to see my feet from above!

Steroids often affect he bone density, can cause multiple issues, so be sure to openly discuss these things with your physician. Be assertive, not aggressive, and thank him for helping you understand what to expect. I have a love/hate relationship with steroids... They save my life! They reduce pain greatly... give me much needed energy, do often make me talk too much, but tough! That can be handled if I want to be better. There are many positives from these drugs but they also have side effects, so ask questions, go on respected sites to research the illness and treatments. Be your own advocate. And, accept the facts of your life as it unfolds. Otherwise, you'll stay in the fight or flight life-style and do yourself more harm. Cause more stress. Research. Ask questions. Accept your illness and treatment as your life, then work like crazy to get better!

PMR attacked me after I had a 2nd Covid infection, last October. 1st was in July, recovering well with Paxlovid. October was different, more severe, had 3 days of Remvesidere infusions, developed Covid pneumonia and was in bed at home on my bi-pap with O2 added for 3-4 days to keep my O2 level above 90, the magic number. I was completely surprised by PMR, had no idea what was happening and it was rough. I am still having issues but staying on my sweet spot of 8 mg Prednisone daily and 7.5 mg Methotrexate weekly to stablelize the symptoms. It's working fairly well, although I may be having a flare. Seeing the Rheumatologist and blood-work next week, so we'll see.

My additional treatments: therapy pool rehab for entire body relief from pain, stress, muscle issues, etc.; CBD at night to help with stress relief, pain, relaxation and sleep; I take multiple supplements, with my doctor's knowledge; suggest what exercise is suitable for you; and do attack your attitude toward life and the changes. I use facial creams I've used and loved for years, that I think help me be more lovely!!!! I'm not attempting to be young, but to be the best I can be with what I have and will have... with whatever illnesses and meds and junk that comes to me. Fight like the dickens. Accept the situation. Love where you are and be your best self!

Blessings as you join us in this crazy journey... Elizabeth

Thank You for that inspiring message. My question at 75 how much of this joint discomfort is normal aging? I know with the PMR I was in a great amount of pain. I've been on Actemra injectable for a little 6 weeks once a week. I still have some aches but manageable. I'm down to 1mg of prednisone hopefully will be done with that soon. My Rume didn't want me on that long term. My biggest concern is the immune system being compromised.
Thank You
Lenny

Thank You for that inspiring message. My question at 75 how much of this joint discomfort is normal aging? I know with the PMR I was in a great amount of pain. I've been on Actemra injectable for a little 6 weeks once a week. I still have some aches but manageable. I'm down to 1mg of prednisone hopefully will be done with that soon. My Rume didn't want me on that long term. My biggest concern is the immune system being compromised.
Thank You
Lenny

You know, I hurt all over all the time to some extent, so I'm not one to ask about normal aging pain. I have Sarcoid, PMR, GCA, Osteo -Arthritis in all my joints, several joints are always in pain and I have limited use of my thumbs, fingers are all involved, hips, knees,feet, on and on. I was diagnosed with Firbromyalgia decades ago so add that in and I seem to be having a flare of something. Not autoimmune, perhaps something new or ???? That's the way my body works.

I do know you can help relieve whatever discomfort or pain you experience with warm pool therapy, 2X weekly is my schedule. It begins when my toe hits the warm, soothing water and lasts until I begin to insult my body with movements like walking or life. Your experience will surely be even better and longer lasting. This is an excellent de-stressor as well.

It's important to add supplements to your regime as well, for muscle and bone and overall health. I check with my doctors and add them to my medication list so everyone knows what I put in my body.

I saw my Rheumatologist yesterday and will have a few MRI's and re-testing blood-work to determine the causes of new symptoms. I need to stop Prednisone but at the moment can't taper any further. My immune system is wonky for sure, my bones are unhappy, but it helps so much... We may go to something else, depending on test results and what's available.

You are blessed to have manageable pain, discomfort, so what you are doing is working. This is an ongoing situation, as I've found, and each body is different, responds differently to meds and treatments. Stay vigil and be your best advocate for new issues and treatments.
Blessings, Elizabeth