1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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Is fatigue a symptom of PMR?

Posted by rllh5403 @rllh5403, Apr 27, 2025

I have terrible fatigue everyday. Is that a symptom of PMR?

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

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jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Jun 7, 2025
In reply to @colleenyoung "Tiredness is listed as a symptom of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). See more info from Mayo Clinic..." + (show)
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Tiredness is listed as a symptom of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). See more info from Mayo Clinic here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20376539

Others have talked about fatigue related to the condition as well as while tapering off treatment with steroids. See this related discussion:
- PMR and Fatigue. Interesting study: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-and-fatigue-interesting-study/

@rllh5403, have you been diagnosed with PMR?

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I thought my fatigue was one of my PMR symptoms but now I know I had something else that may have contributed to this problem.
Kaiser Permanente has a pharmacist call you at home to discuss all meds and supplements and they told me I was not taking enough Vitamin D3 (300 I.U this is what was in my calcium/magnesium supplement I was taking. I have osteoporosis and have had 2 bone fractures within 4 years! I’m also on Reclast infusions. My D3 blood level was on the low side of normal range. She told to take at least 1000 I.U.—my pcp said I could take up to 2000 I.U. So I’ve been taking 2000 for 2 months now and what a difference in my energy levels! No more feeling tired all the time. My daughter had to take the once a week D3 megadose of 50,000 I.U . ( an RX) because she had a D3 level of 12!! And she noticed a definite increase in her energy levels with no fatique!
So I guess what im saying is talk to your doctor and get your Vitamin D3 level checked. Even if it’s normal, see if it’s ok to take at least 1000 IU—always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking,

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wellsbjt | @wellsbjt | Jun 8, 2025
In reply to @jlo2252 "I thought my fatigue was one of my PMR symptoms but now I know I had..." + (show)
Profile picture for jlo2252 @jlo2252

I thought my fatigue was one of my PMR symptoms but now I know I had something else that may have contributed to this problem.
Kaiser Permanente has a pharmacist call you at home to discuss all meds and supplements and they told me I was not taking enough Vitamin D3 (300 I.U this is what was in my calcium/magnesium supplement I was taking. I have osteoporosis and have had 2 bone fractures within 4 years! I’m also on Reclast infusions. My D3 blood level was on the low side of normal range. She told to take at least 1000 I.U.—my pcp said I could take up to 2000 I.U. So I’ve been taking 2000 for 2 months now and what a difference in my energy levels! No more feeling tired all the time. My daughter had to take the once a week D3 megadose of 50,000 I.U . ( an RX) because she had a D3 level of 12!! And she noticed a definite increase in her energy levels with no fatique!
So I guess what im saying is talk to your doctor and get your Vitamin D3 level checked. Even if it’s normal, see if it’s ok to take at least 1000 IU—always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking,

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Fatigue is also a symptom of pmr. The Journal of Rheumatology recently published an article re the need to manage fatigue and sleep disturbances experienced by pmr patients. Here is a link to the article.
https://www.jrheum.org/content/jrheum/early/2025/05/23/jrheum.2025-0524.full.pdf

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jlo2252 | @jlo2252 | Jun 19, 2025
In reply to @wellsbjt "Fatigue is also a symptom of pmr. The Journal of Rheumatology recently published an article re..." + (show)
Profile picture for wellsbjt @wellsbjt

Fatigue is also a symptom of pmr. The Journal of Rheumatology recently published an article re the need to manage fatigue and sleep disturbances experienced by pmr patients. Here is a link to the article.
https://www.jrheum.org/content/jrheum/early/2025/05/23/jrheum.2025-0524.full.pdf

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Yes I do realize that fatigue is also one of the symptoms of PMR—it is a symptom of many disorders, actually, I’m just letting everyone know of just one symptom solution that actually worked for me and might help someone else out there.

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gilbert56 | @gilbert56 | Jun 6 12:08pm
In reply to @dadcue "For me, there was PMR fatigue which wasn't so bad. I lost a lot of sleep..." + (show)
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For me, there was PMR fatigue which wasn't so bad. I lost a lot of sleep when PMR was untreated. When PMR was treated with Prednisone, I had energy to spare for awhile. I felt like I didn't have any need for sleep. That kind of energy was not sustainable.

After long term treatment with prednisone another magnitude of fatigue crept in. Some people call it "overwhelming fatigue" or "deathly fatigue." I called it "fatigue on steroids." That type of fatigue is extremely overwhelming. The overwhelming fatigue got worse and worse as I tried to taper my prednisone dose lower. I didn't realize that adrenal insufficiency and a low cortisol level can cause that kind if extreme fatigue until someone explained to me.

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@dadcue I felt that, too. When I was first treated with Prednisone, I had all this energy. But now, I tjink tge farigie is from the Prednisine itself. Trying to taper-off. I’m at 2 mg./ day, now, but have to take a nap by the afternoon…..

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kjoed53 | @kjoed53 | Jun 7 7:57am

Both PMR and prednisone can cause fatigue.

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abd | @abd | Jun 7 9:51am
In reply to @rllh5403 "I'm not taking prednisone and haven't for about a year. I do think I have "overwhelming..." + (show)
Profile picture for rllh5403 @rllh5403

I'm not taking prednisone and haven't for about a year. I do think I have "overwhelming fatigue." I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. This just isn't living, I was diagnosed with PMR in 2012. But I'm not sure what is causing the fatigue.

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@rllh5403
Kind of the same. Off Prednisone for 5 months.
I have always proceeded through life at double speed and could accomplished much without tiring. Always slept well.
PMR diagnosis came after Carpal Tunnel surgery. I was already losing sleep due to wrist/hand pain. Fatigue has been an issue since. Can’t help but think the constant body issues play a huge roll in fatigue (whether we sleep well at night or not). I have always tried to listen to my body but still try not to nap as the nap turns into too much sleep - don’t want to sleep my life away.
Don’t know what to do about it - trying hard to eat better and definitely avoid “added sugar”; also drink plenty of water - even when I get up during the night; get outside and take walks.
Make oneself keep going

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