PMR appears in people with Commonalities, by chance?

Posted by Howdy! @kereno, Aug 17 3:30pm

Sometimes I wonder if the diseases that pick us are related to our past history or current lifestyles—or just environmental factors? It would make an interesting study. I first noticed this when my late husband had a flare up of polio after a 40-year hiatus. It affected both his legs on the 2nd go round instead of one as was his original experience. Then later, when he developed Parkinson’s, several of his classmates (they kept in touch) fell to it too. Finally in my caregivers’ group as we got to know each other, one lady remarked, all of our husbands are “controllers” in their professions (engineers, scientists, dentists, businessmen)—close detail work. In our PMR world, I think of all the gardeners and athletes among us—physically hard working types who probably push past their limits fairly frequently. Could that be a cause or correlation? Did any of you share my bad habits of drinking wine (frequently) as an adult, or did you drop acid or smoke a lot of pot when you were a teen? What if this is an after-affect? I also smoked straight cigarettes as a young g woman. Not prying…just curious. No need to answer. Obviously not cause and effect, but maybe a close correlation? 🤔

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

Profile picture for Howdy! @kereno

Diet is tremendously powerful. I’ve simplified my diet a lot to anti-inflammatory choices. Wishes come and go—I just at them away like gnats. Just impressions or memories that have nothing to do with the reality of the present. Everything we do either feeds a habit or helps to weaken a habit.
Hypothyroidism? I forgot about that one! Golly, it’s been 15 20 years for that one. I taken low doses of levothyroxine all these years. I wonder IT does to my body?!

Jump to this post

Once my hypothyroidism started it took several years before I got on the right dose of medications. It turned out that I needed some T3 supplementation in addition to the levothyroxine. So I take a small dose of Cytomel every day along with the levothyroxine, and it makes a huge difference.

REPLY
Profile picture for hosers2 @hosers2

The one “commonality” you are all experiencing may be because, if you are over the age of 60, all doctors prescribe STATINS like they are candy for the aged.
I firmly believe statins directly cause PMR.

Jump to this post

Never taken a statin in my life and I am well past 60 with PMR. Gave up refined sugar 3 years ago and my Lipid Panel is beautiful. Statins may be a contributing factor in your case but I suspect there are several other factors at play. I also suspect that your sugar intake contributes to the inflammation that PMR causes. Sugar is a food that every anti-inflammatory diet says to limit.

REPLY
Profile picture for hosers2 @hosers2

The one “commonality” you are all experiencing may be because, if you are over the age of 60, all doctors prescribe STATINS like they are candy for the aged.
I firmly believe statins directly cause PMR.

Jump to this post

Yeah, I've never had a statin either.

REPLY

I smoked pot no wine but alcohol I partied a lot but I still think it came from shots like Covid or flu shots

REPLY

I've never smoked or done drugs. I did some binge drinking in my late teens and early 20s. I've only been a rare social drinker since. About twenty years ago I had Epstein Barr virus. Shortly after I developed hypothyroidism. It's been downhill since.

REPLY
Profile picture for kare1 @kare1

I just watched Mel Robbins interview Dr. Gabor Maté talk about trauma & our bodies.
It was interesting on Utube. It was recommended by my therapist! I always take things w/a grain of salt but still I found it compelling.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much for your post! I followed your YouTube recommendation and watched the great interview w/Dr Mate and Mel Robbin’s. So very relevant and helpful! I am grateful to you. Thanks for sharing.

REPLY
Profile picture for jeff97 @jeff97

Once my hypothyroidism started it took several years before I got on the right dose of medications. It turned out that I needed some T3 supplementation in addition to the levothyroxine. So I take a small dose of Cytomel every day along with the levothyroxine, and it makes a huge difference.

Jump to this post

Interesting. I’ll bring it up with my dr at our next follow up visit (next week!)

REPLY

I, too, feel my grandmother had PMR, but prednisone just wasn't available for her. She walked with a horrible limp and could barely move her arms due to shoulder pain. So, genetics? Yes, I believe there's some predestination.

I'm a runner of 52 years and have wondered if environment/past inspired this nasty disease. I am also a DES baby (my mother took Diethylstilbestrol while pregnant with me 68 years ago which can cause, among a myriad of other side effects, autoimmune diesase.) I have always been a high-energy, nervous, stressed-out person.

I searched for a study regarding this to partake in as I live in the Raleigh area where a ton of universities are located. Couldn't get in.

I'm am now on an anti-inflammatory diet and still exercising. Reducing prednisone (now at 6.5 mg) is tough. I've had pain, fatigue, insomnia, depression, and bouts of anger!!! (I've pretty much given up everything I love. Just don't hint about giving up coffee. I mean it. I'll go beserk!!!!! It's my last vice---well, not according to my husband and kids, but really it is.)

My biggest challenge? No one understands. People look at me like, you have arthritis, so what?

Ugh, some golden years.

REPLY
Profile picture for cyndiefromnc @cyndiefromnc

I, too, feel my grandmother had PMR, but prednisone just wasn't available for her. She walked with a horrible limp and could barely move her arms due to shoulder pain. So, genetics? Yes, I believe there's some predestination.

I'm a runner of 52 years and have wondered if environment/past inspired this nasty disease. I am also a DES baby (my mother took Diethylstilbestrol while pregnant with me 68 years ago which can cause, among a myriad of other side effects, autoimmune diesase.) I have always been a high-energy, nervous, stressed-out person.

I searched for a study regarding this to partake in as I live in the Raleigh area where a ton of universities are located. Couldn't get in.

I'm am now on an anti-inflammatory diet and still exercising. Reducing prednisone (now at 6.5 mg) is tough. I've had pain, fatigue, insomnia, depression, and bouts of anger!!! (I've pretty much given up everything I love. Just don't hint about giving up coffee. I mean it. I'll go beserk!!!!! It's my last vice---well, not according to my husband and kids, but really it is.)

My biggest challenge? No one understands. People look at me like, you have arthritis, so what?

Ugh, some golden years.

Jump to this post

There are so many maladies that are invisible. One lesson to be gained in dealing with one (or more!) is compassion. Through this experience we learn to give the benefit of the doubt and allow others to care for themselves in a way that meets their needs without surrounding them with negative judgment. I’m with you!

REPLY
Profile picture for hosers2 @hosers2

The one “commonality” you are all experiencing may be because, if you are over the age of 60, all doctors prescribe STATINS like they are candy for the aged.
I firmly believe statins directly cause PMR.

Jump to this post

Nor I. I have never been on a statin. In fact, no drug really until the prednisone.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.