I engaged in all the 'bad habits' during my youth, at the same time, being a very good athlete. I've always had a bad memory, which I attribute to the brain cells I damaged at that time. I was diagnosed with PMR/GCA at 68 yo, July 2024. Up until then, I would go 110 mph. I took up trail running at 62 yo, although it was short lived! Most comments that I got from friends and family were, "this must be so hard for you, since you've always been very active".

I have this nagging thought of how my PMR began, but I can't prove it. In Jan 2024, I went to a chili cook-off and craft beer festival. I'm a foodie, so I had to try ALL the chili's. I did drink in moderation. A few days after the cook-off, I began having upper and lower GI issues. I attributed it to the chili cook-off. My symptoms got worse. It felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. I would spend days laying on the couch, not able to do much. I went to a GI specialist. I was scoped in both directions. All the diagnostic tests were negative. They couldn't find anything wrong with me. In hindsight, I should have requested bloodwork. I don't know why the doctor didn't order any. I had symptoms until the end of March, when they just went away. That's it.

Since then, I have read that the gut is a pathway to your system. I keep having this nagging thought that the month's long episode with GI issues was the trigger for my PMR. I'll never know. I am now 4 mg. of Prednisone and take monthly infusions of Actemra. I'm 100% better than last summer, but only 50% of my original baseline.