1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Newly diagnosed with a mild case!

Posted by mezack25 @mezack25, May 18 7:54am

Hi,
They tell me this is a mild case. I would hate to see someone that has a more severe case. Been on 10mg of prednisone since May 1st. Mornings are the worst. The shoulders from rotator cuff up and sometimes the hip flexor and hamstring areas as well. I was very active at the gym 5-6 days a week. Walking either outside or on treadmill anywhere 20 to 35 miles a week! NOW, not so much. I haven't lifted any weights in over 2 months. I'm thinking that has some effect on the pain as well. I continue to walk, just not a power walk but moderate. I am doing PT as well. When does this subside? On prednisone for 18days now and want more results. I know life is different now and I respect that but when will prednisone do its magic? Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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mezack25 | @mezack25 | May 20 4:45am
In reply to @linaxyl "The prednisone should relieve your symptoms fairly quickly - like in a few days. If not,..." + (show)
@linaxyl

The prednisone should relieve your symptoms fairly quickly - like in a few days. If not, you may need a higher dose. You want to get to a point of full relief, stay there a while, then start to slowly taper off the steriod. Like 1 mg a month at most. If you start to hurt again, go back up. Best of luck.

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Thank you. Good luck to you as well

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mezack25 | @mezack25 | May 20 4:46am
In reply to @tweetypie13 "I had bad mornings too. Ask your dr abt…….split the dose, 1/2 am and 1/2 at..." + (show)
@tweetypie13

I had bad mornings too. Ask your dr abt…….split the dose, 1/2 am and 1/2 at dinner. Made a big difference and mornings much easier. Good luck

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Thats a great idea. Thank you

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mezack25 | @mezack25 | May 20 4:46am
In reply to @kmgustav "The first time they tried prednisone the dose was 20 mg. It wasn’t enough. When increased..." + (show)
@kmgustav

The first time they tried prednisone the dose was 20 mg. It wasn’t enough. When increased to 30 mg it was like magic. Try a higher dose.

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Thank you

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54pontiac | @54pontiac | May 21 9:38am

I was also put on 10 mg which did not give the instant results others have had. I asked the rheumatologist if I needed more and he said to be patient. It took three weeks more or less for me to be pain free. Then I zoomed on past pain free and became superwoman until I tapered down. On the plus side, it’s a shorter taper. Good luck!

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mezack25 | @mezack25 | May 22 9:17am
In reply to @54pontiac "I was also put on 10 mg which did not give the instant results others have..." + (show)
@54pontiac

I was also put on 10 mg which did not give the instant results others have had. I asked the rheumatologist if I needed more and he said to be patient. It took three weeks more or less for me to be pain free. Then I zoomed on past pain free and became superwoman until I tapered down. On the plus side, it’s a shorter taper. Good luck!

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Thank you. I want to be superwoman again too!! I appreciate your input.

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mezack25 | @mezack25 | May 22 9:20am
In reply to @kare1 "I started prednisone 15 mgs on March 28, 2025 after experiencing pains in both my hips,..." + (show)
@kare1

I started prednisone 15 mgs on March 28, 2025 after experiencing pains in both my hips, left shoulder, neck, right elbow and the wrist in mid December of ‘24. I went to chiropractor, hip doctor, physical therapy and they really didn’t help after my family practicer immediately suspected PMR, but I could accept that. I was in denial. I got to see a rheumatologist who got me on prednisone and in 2 days I felt great. I’ve have osteoporosis in hips and now lower spine so rheumatologist wants to lower prednisone soon. And now I have to take Fosamax.! I stepped down to 12.5 mgs for 2 weeks and now just stepped down to 10 mgs. So far so good. BUT rheumatologist has also started me on methotrexate so we shall see what works. ( I’ve felt no ill effects of the methotrexate. ) Rheumatologist says it takes several months to see it working. My SED rate was initially 32 at family dr appt, then after a few months when I got to see rheumatologist it had jumped to 81. after prednisone it dropped to 34. We shall see what it is next week with the new prednisone level & methotrexate. Good grief!
After being healthy and going to the Y taking long walks, etc., this diagnosis blew me away.
Good luck on your journey!

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Blew me away too. I see a rheumatologist on June 10. I get more bloodwork next week and see where I’m at. Still really painful in the mornings. My shoulders most pain. Thank you for your input.

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mezack25 | @mezack25 | May 22 9:23am
In reply to @janiceem "I was also diagnosed with a mild case of PMR--surprisingly my legs and shoulders only hurt..." + (show)
@janiceem

I was also diagnosed with a mild case of PMR--surprisingly my legs and shoulders only hurt when laying in bed! As soon as I got up, no pain! I started with 10 mg. of Prednisone and my pain went away immediately. I tapered off of it very gradually--maybe .5 to 1 mg. every month. It took about a year to get off of it. It flared once when I caught COVID, but I was able to taper off 2 mg. within weeks. I think it recently flared again when I hurt my back, but only took 2 mg. for 2 days. My PMR started after my second COVID mRNA vaccination. I was also extremely healthy and active--pilates, dancing, and swimming 6 days a week. I rarely ever got sick in the past 25 years! My symptons never interfered with my activities, fortunately. I did notice that pushups and lifting 5# weights seemed to hurt more than usual at night, so I cut back on that and rarely have shoulder pain at night now. FYI, I am a registered dietitian and eat a primarily organic whole foods, plant-based diet, high in anti-inflammatory foods. I eat a little organic animal protein each day--maybe 3 to 4 ounces. Hope this helps you in some way. Sending hugs.

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Helps me greatly. I haven’t lifted weights in over 2 months and I feel that has added to my shoulder pain as well. I eat pretty healthy and added more food for inflammation. Walking as many miles a week as I can to continue some normalcy. Thanks again and good luck

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jeff97 | @jeff97 | May 22 9:43am

I have been receiving treatment for GCA and PMR for 11 months. I started at 60 mg prednisone a day, and now I'm down to 4. I also take Actemra injections weekly. I haven't had any pain from the PMR or GCA since I started treatment. I've been able to keep walking, running, and lifting weights the whole time, except for a period between 20 mg prednisone and 10 mg where I was having problems with muscle strains and tight muscles. During that time I stopped running and doing pushups. I noticed improvements in how I felt and how much I could exercise at 10 mg prednisone, at 7, and at 5. So things do improve, but it takes time and patience.

Like @seniormed said, you might benefit from a higher dose of prednisone to control your pain.

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tweetypie13 | @tweetypie13 | May 22 10:52am
In reply to @mezack25 "Blew me away too. I see a rheumatologist on June 10. I get more bloodwork next..." + (show)
@mezack25

Blew me away too. I see a rheumatologist on June 10. I get more bloodwork next week and see where I’m at. Still really painful in the mornings. My shoulders most pain. Thank you for your input.

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Consider a split dose, morn and dinner time.
Made me have less morn discomfort

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zkeith | @zkeith | May 22 10:55am

I was started on 20 mg twice a day and was pain free in 3 hours. Have been tapering down now for several weeks--2 mg a day. Pain free in my legs, mostly pain free in my arms, but my hands are now the big problem. They hurt, they sting, they are often numb, etc. Have lost a lot of strength and will likely begin PT shortly. Never heard of this illness until I contacted it. It makes me tired much more quickly than before.

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