@petermccarville and all... It seems you really bounced back nicely, Peter. That may well be due to your prior activity level and health. Even with the issues you mention, you were active - skiing, moving a bunch and getting good muscular activity? I wasn't. I haven't for several years, as at age 40 I developed the 1st auto-immune illness, Sarcoid. That was the 1st stint with Prednisone and since those years, I've had a few relapses of Sarcoid. It hit my lungs. I was pretty sick for a long time. It wasn't a nice illness and set me up for today, I suppose.

I got a bunch of pulmonary infections and bronchitic, even a couple of pneumonias, but wasn't really disabled until my balance became a problem. So, in my 50s, I began using a walking stick for balance. Even then, I still did a bit of ballroom dancing, which I adored... wasn't very good, but loved the whole thing... music is in my bones, beauty, feeling wonderful, grace, and of course, the dancing itself was simply fantastic. I do miss those times...

But, I will tell you it appears once a body gets an auto-immune disease. like PMR. another one follows. Must have to do with changes in the immune/auto-immune system, obviously. After 2 bouts with Covid in 2023, July I recovered on the pills and low Prednisone dose with the supplements and respiratory treatments most of us received.

The 2nd Covid was in October that year and I was a very sick puppy. I received the 3 IV Remvesidere infusions at Mayo, was sent to the ER before the last IV as I was getting worse. I had Covic pneumonia and negotiated my way out of admission to the hospital by promising to treat myself at home using my Bi-pap for severe sleep apnea, I use nightly with O2! I kept my O2 level above 90 most of the time staying on the Bi-pap 24/7 for 5 days, and have used it often during the day since.

I came out of that Covid infection alive, but damaged forever. I developed PMR within weeks of Covid, very serious attack. Then, soon GCA. Both treated with increased Prednisone. GCA was then treated with Methatrexate.

Then, more severe and frequent infections, lung/UTI/injury and diabetes of course.

So, you see, my journey has been pretty long and progressively worsening since my mid years. I was fairly athletic though, playing daily tennis during my 20-30s, working long hard hours, running a business, caring for my ill mother, then caring for my ill and disabled son. Now, caring for myself and assisting my son as I can. We help each other now...

I hope you continue to improve, keep up the great activity level you do now and ward off any health issues along the way. Blessings, Elizabeth