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

I was 74 when I developed PMR in January 2024. I was diagnosed and started on 15 mg of Prednisone and methotrexate right away. I developed steroid induced diabetes in a few months and was started on insulin. I began a very strict diet, very low on carbs and no sugar, and was able to stop the insulin. My labs showed my inflammation was within normal range. Over the year I gradually decreased Prednisone but was increased on methotrexate. Walked on the treadmill for 30-45 minutes everyday, which also helped control my blood glucose. Getting a glucose sensor helped me know what I needed to do to keep my glucose down. I was able to get off prednisone by February of this year and then began reducing methotrexate. I’ve been off methotrexate completely now since April. My blood glucose is good if I don’t eat too many carbs or sugar and it comes down to within normal range in 2-3 hours if I do enjoy something sweet now and then. I work out in the garden for hours and stop when I get fatigued. I still feel aching in my left hand and wrist in the morning, especially if I eat sugar, but Tylenol and activity improve this. I am hoping I won’t get a flare up but still feel my diet and activity level are the best preventative medicine for this. I have learned that fighting PMR takes a determination to get well and I believe a strict diet and exercise is the best medicine. It helps you to gradually get off prednisone which can cause other conditions, which in my case was diabetes, thin skin and purpura. Everyone is different with this weird condition and I feel very fortunate and grateful to have been guided back to wellness through medication, rheumatology and this Mayo Clinic support group.

I was diagnosed 2 weeks after my 51st birthday. That was 6 months ago. I went from a very active athlete to not being able to dress myself or get out of a chair. I stopped sugar and eat low carb now. I am trying to taper quickly to get off the steroid but the last time I got down to 2.5 I had a huge flare.

I am 68 and was diagnosed with PMR in December 2024. Like you, I woke up one day and could not get myself out of bed, could not dress myself without help.

Hello @mcox73 and @jodev68, Welcome to Connect. You've landed in a great place to learn more about how to best manage PMR. We have many members on Connect who have shared their experience with PMR so hopefully you can ask questions you are struggling with and members with experience can respond. There are many discussions on PMR but I thought I would share a few of the ones that I've found helpful:
-- Comprehensive Overview Of PMR: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/comprehensive-overview-of-pmr/
-- How to Slowly and Safely Taper Off Prednisone but ... no set rules.: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-slowly-and-safely-taper-off-prednisone-but-no-set-rules/
-- PMR Diet: Foods to eat and avoid: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diet-and-pmr/

You can see the complete list of discussions in the PMR Support Group here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/

I was just diagnosed in November 2024, 59 yrs.

Thank you, @johnbishop

Welcome @jlipari, Sorry to hear that you have also joined the PMR club. You might find the discussions listed in my previous post - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1297391/.

What is the hardest thing you have found hard to deal with about having PMR?

I was just diagnosed on Friday. I am 61.