I’m just wondering how old most of you are with PMR

Iv'e never heard of a steriod sparing medication. I will look into this, thank you.

For Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), steroid-sparing medications are used to reduce the need for long-term, high-dose corticosteroids and their associated side effects. Common options include but not limited to:
methotrexate
leflunomide
azathioprine

These are by prescription only. Most doctors will try them if you are unable to taper off Prednisone within a year or two.

Thank you so much for this. Up until now my GP has been dealing with my PMR but waiting for a referral to get an appointment with a rheumatologist so will discuss this then.

Hello I was diagnosed last year @ 50! My rheumatologist put me on 20mg prednisone & Kevzara.

I am 59, diagnosed 1.5 years ago. Could not seem to get below 15mg of Prednisone without pain returning. I am now on methotrexate also and I'm currently down to 10mg of Prednisone. Pain is controlled most days unless I really overdo it.

I am sorry you are feeling so confused and worried. My advice would be to read as many of these threads as you can and find the parts that seem to apply to your situation. One confusing thing about PMR is that it presents in many ways and GPs are not really up on it. Yes, you can get it at your age. You definitely need to see a rheumatologist--I was not diagnosed by anyone for 4 months until I saw the rheumatologist. I think diet and exercise can help some people, but it is rarely a cure-all. I found acupuncture to work for a few hours or a day and then PMR was back. Don't be afraid of prednisone. The only thing more varied than PMR is how you react to prednisone. Some people get immediate relief (in hours!). I took 3 weeks. Some people become ravenous and gain weight. I lost 15 pounds with PMR and only 5 pounds came back. Some people have no side effects at all. I have lost bone and muscle and gained skin sensitivity. But prednisone works. I would trade that for function any day of the week.

Another thing that has helped me is to think of my mother and her mother, who I believe had PMR when it was called bursitis. My grandmother lived before prednisone and was an invalid (and partially blind) for the rest of her life. My mother got prednisone at 66, recovered, and lived to be 101 with normal aging issues. I plan to be like my mother!

I am 63. Was diagnosed with PMR just before Christmas 2024. At first I was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in my back and having sciatica. Then I started having similar pain in my right shoulder and everyone ignored me because they were sure I had the pinched nerve in the back. Then is started in my left shoulder. Once the pain moved from one leg to the other, I got people's attention because when. you have a pinched nerve the sciatica pain does not move from one leg to the other. They did blood work and then determined that it was PMR. Started me on 30 mg of prednisone a day right off and it took all the pain away. I started decreasing and the pain just increased, got to 15 mg a day for a week and now I'm back at 30 mg a day, 4 months after starting the prednisone- right back where I started!!! So frustrating!!

I’m 70. I was diagnosed at age 67. Fortunately I’ve been in remission for almost 2 years.

I take my dose in the morning after breakfast which usually is a yogurt blueberries banana and fresh squeezed oj smoothie. I read that prednisone should be taken after your stomach is coated with milk or like product. Everything I’ve read suggests a diet of fresh fruits vegetables and staying away from any prepared foods. I am currently gluten free (any wheat product turns to sugar and prednisone can/will increase your blood sugar). My A1C went from 5.8 to 6.4 is a few months time after being on prednisone. Suggest to do your research. I also started PT along with walking which seems to help with morning stiffness. Good luck.

PS important to keep a diary. I don’t always put a comment, although I did in the beginning but make sure I put the date, day 1 and so on, on what mg I’m on because I taper every 2 weeks and how many days I’ve been on prednisone.