Where have you experienced pain due to PMR?H

In Sept 2025 I first noticed stiffness and pain in my left hand and arm. This quickly turned into a severly swollen left arm and hand that was so bad I could not clench my hand more than a inch toward making a fist. Soon the scalp, buttocks, thighs, back, etc. were so painful I could not dress myself, needed help to shower. After several weeks a Dr. put me on a 6 day zPrednisone regimen that immediately brought down the swelling and relieved much of the pain. It is now February and I have no pain, (15mg Prednisone/day) total movement and flexibility that I had previously. I am 81 years old so keep the movement and flexibility in context. The Dr. is slowly having me taper off the Prednisone as I started with 20mg/day. If this is as good as it gets I can live with it. The side effects of Prednisone, weight gain, insomnia, hair loss, having to put a lock on the refrigerator, etc. are not pleasant but liveable if need be. One final note I do find that Relaxium for insomnia seems to work well without the day after hangover some other sleep aids have.

@kereno Thank you for sharing your experience. My Rheumatologist thought that we could do a fast taper off 15 mg/day, but that didn't work. So, I'm on 14 mg. for now.
I'm 73 and I already have osteoporosis. I take Boniva once every 30 days. My last bone density scan showed marginal improvement. Needless to say, I don't want to lose any ground there. I also have small fiber neuropathy which hadn't been affecting my ability to keep moving by walking 1-3 miles (when I'm not lazy). But I think PMR is somehow worsening the discomfort beyond numbness and tingling. I also have a new diagnosis of AFib and I'm now on Eliquis (blood thinner) which means that I cannot take NSAIDS for pain. Tylenol is OK.
Yeah. Aging. Here we are, I guess. Glad I made it into my 70s at least. My 102 year old friend reminds me that I'm just a baby. She's sharp as a tack, but needs assistance walking. And I know she's riddled with pain from head to toe. But she keeps active, lives independently and maintains a wide circle of friends and family. She helps me keep things in perspective.
All the best to you.

@pah17 yes I am in remission. Sorry for short reply side effects are bad. Tried uploading photo but messed up hopefully administrator can delete them I couldn’t.

I have experienced pain in ALL my joints except, curiously, my neck and ankles. Since starting Prednisone about a year ago I am relatively pain free though it took a while to get there. When I experience pain above 3 (out of 10) it is most often in my right hand and wrist. This happens less and less as time goes on. My scalp is always tender and my shoulders and hips are somewhat achy but I would rather be a little sore than increase the meds. I started at 20 mg Pred a year ago and I'm down to 5.5 now. I plan to decrease .5 mg per month.

I started at 15 mg 2 1/2 years ago. I’m now at 2 mg but the road has not been steady. I stayed at 2.5 mg for about three months and have been at 2 for one month. I plan to decrease by .5 mg in about 2 weeks. If all goes well, I’ll be prednisone free in a few months.

Can someone describe what the visual disturbance is that goes with GCA? I have had a focusing issue that is intermittent. I do not lose vision but something is definitely off. Not taken seriously by my eye doctors who say it is from dry eyes. I did see Dr. Gary Reynolds at Mass General and he is a researcher for GCA - he did not think I had it but I continue to wonder about my odd visual symptoms.

@ttorre44 Hi. Same story and timeframe. I’m only 68 though. Thanks for sharing and keep us informed.

I was diagnosed PMR a year and a half ago. I’ve seen two different rheumatologist. Both have failed me and now I’m back to my internal doctor. I was on 2 mg of prednisone but still in severe pain. My internal doctor put me up to seven and added once again methotrexate I also take Tylenol to relieve some of the soreness. My pain is now gone down to my hip and pelvic area and behind my knees mornings are very difficult as you all know sometimes I get so frustrated. I just go back to sleep sometimes at 10 or 11 o’clock in the morning I’ve been going to the local YMCA to swim that seems to really feel good. before this hit me. I was a very active golfer a Pickleball player walker, bike rider you name it now I rarely do any of those things it’s very discouraging. I’m a 68-year-old female.

@farnhamlaf1
Been there too…..
Have you tried the Tylenol for Arthritis, my Dr said 2 pills upto 3 times a day.
Ask your dr……
I could not get off Pred and he put me on the biologic Kevzara…..worked like a dream and off Pred with in 3 months
Good luck

Yes I'm on Kevzara too & I haven't had any prednisone for 3 months now. March 2, 2026 I'm having total knee replacement on my rt knee. I have been in some kind of pain....