Cause of PMR

Wondering how in the world I ended up with this disease. I’m nearly 75, white female who has been healthy my whole life. I’ve always been active and cook my own healthy meals. No fast food, no simple carbs, no fried food, some sugar but not a lot. Around the beginning of January I began to notice some carpal tunnel symptoms in my right dominant hand. Soon after I began waking up with aching biceps in both arms. Then one morning I woke up and felt like I had cement in my arms, shoulders thighs and hips. I literally couldn’t do anything. Luckily I have a husband in good physical shape who assisted me with everything.
I immediately started researching on line and found information on PMR. I got an appointment with my GP who is an internist and she examined me and ordered a full battery of tests. My symptoms and labs came back as textbook PMR. She gave me an urgent referral to a rheumatologist and started me on 15 mg prednisone and gabapentin for my arm and wrist pain. In a few days I was about 75% improved with the exception of my right bicep and inability to use my right hand. I was able to see the rheumatologist in about a week. After his evaluation he started me on methotrexate 2.5 mg 5 tabs once a week and folic acid and continued prednisone 15 mg daily. He said the methotrexate would help me with the titration of prednisone. I have osteopenia and I guess it’s supposed to help prevent more bone loss from the prednisone. I’ve put myself on a strict diet, no salt, no sugar (a little honey) and eat calcium rich food and 5,000 iu vitamin D. Some other support groups I’m in are trying to warn me about the terrible side effects of methotrexate. After my first dose this week I’ve had no side effects yet. I just try to keep moving and drinking lots of fluids. I’m still in a state of denial about the fact that this disease can last for years, in and out of remission, and that I may have to take either or both prednisone and methotrexate for the rest of my life, putting me at risk of dying from Covid or some other virus or infection. Is it the fact that I’ve come in contact online with so many others who have been newly diagnosed with this relatively unknown disease (even many doctors have had no experience with PMR) that I feel it’s something in our environment or vaccines that’s causing more of it to occur in the last few years? Anyone else having these thoughts ?

I believe PMR has an inherited component in some people. Judging by the symptoms, I would say my mother had it at about the age I had it, got some prednisone, and then lived to 101 with no more symptoms and as many faculties as a few small strokes near the end allowed. It struck at a very stressful time in her life and they called it bursitis. I also believe my grandmother had it at a young age during a stressful time in her life. They didn't have prednisone then and she suffered the rest of her life, also perhaps getting GCA according to her symptoms. At that time they didn't know they could be related. My mother and I were healthy and active otherwise. I have had all the covid shots and boosters with no ill effects. I also had covid once last year, but Paxlovid knocked it out pretty quickly.

I believe PMR has an inherited component in some people. Judging by the symptoms, I would say my mother had it at about the age I had it, got some prednisone, and then lived to 101 with no more symptoms and as many faculties as a few small strokes near the end allowed. It struck at a very stressful time in her life and they called it bursitis. I also believe my grandmother had it at a young age during a stressful time in her life. They didn't have prednisone then and she suffered the rest of her life, also perhaps getting GCA according to her symptoms. At that time they didn't know they could be related. My mother and I were healthy and active otherwise. I have had all the covid shots and boosters with no ill effects. I also had covid once last year, but Paxlovid knocked it out pretty quickly.

@54pontiac
I do think it might be stress related, I had a stressful time 9 years ago and had my first symptoms of PMR. Today I have the same symptoms and a very painful flare up. Last year was also a very stressful time for me. I never believed that stress could be the cause of a disease but I guess I was wrong..?

Wondering how in the world I ended up with this disease. I’m nearly 75, white female who has been healthy my whole life. I’ve always been active and cook my own healthy meals. No fast food, no simple carbs, no fried food, some sugar but not a lot. Around the beginning of January I began to notice some carpal tunnel symptoms in my right dominant hand. Soon after I began waking up with aching biceps in both arms. Then one morning I woke up and felt like I had cement in my arms, shoulders thighs and hips. I literally couldn’t do anything. Luckily I have a husband in good physical shape who assisted me with everything.
I immediately started researching on line and found information on PMR. I got an appointment with my GP who is an internist and she examined me and ordered a full battery of tests. My symptoms and labs came back as textbook PMR. She gave me an urgent referral to a rheumatologist and started me on 15 mg prednisone and gabapentin for my arm and wrist pain. In a few days I was about 75% improved with the exception of my right bicep and inability to use my right hand. I was able to see the rheumatologist in about a week. After his evaluation he started me on methotrexate 2.5 mg 5 tabs once a week and folic acid and continued prednisone 15 mg daily. He said the methotrexate would help me with the titration of prednisone. I have osteopenia and I guess it’s supposed to help prevent more bone loss from the prednisone. I’ve put myself on a strict diet, no salt, no sugar (a little honey) and eat calcium rich food and 5,000 iu vitamin D. Some other support groups I’m in are trying to warn me about the terrible side effects of methotrexate. After my first dose this week I’ve had no side effects yet. I just try to keep moving and drinking lots of fluids. I’m still in a state of denial about the fact that this disease can last for years, in and out of remission, and that I may have to take either or both prednisone and methotrexate for the rest of my life, putting me at risk of dying from Covid or some other virus or infection. Is it the fact that I’ve come in contact online with so many others who have been newly diagnosed with this relatively unknown disease (even many doctors have had no experience with PMR) that I feel it’s something in our environment or vaccines that’s causing more of it to occur in the last few years? Anyone else having these thoughts ?

@jiffaw
I think there is more a genetic link than people realize. Something triggers that gene, probably trauma from a wound or infection, and sets it in motion. Seems so unfair that most people on here who have led healthy lifestyles seem to be a target for this nasty disease.

@ndep
I also think PMR is stress related. We moved to Idaho from California in 2018, then in 2022 decided to move back to California. While in the process of selling our house in Idaho it fell out of escrow twice. The second time we were notified within 30 minutes of the moving truck leaving with all of our possessions. We had to walk away from the house we were in escrow in California and lose our earnest money. Then we had to pay to get all of our stuff back. Six months later we relisted our house got a cash offer in three days and moved to California. Three months later I got hit with PMR. Couldn't raise my arms, turn my neck, rollover in bed or dress myself.

@54pontiac
I do think it might be stress related, I had a stressful time 9 years ago and had my first symptoms of PMR. Today I have the same symptoms and a very painful flare up. Last year was also a very stressful time for me. I never believed that stress could be the cause of a disease but I guess I was wrong..?