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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story
Welcome to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Meet other members who are dealing with PMR. Let’s learn from each other and share stories about living well with PMR, coping with the challenges and offering tips.We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Grab a cup of coffee or beverage of choice and let’s chat. Why not start by introducing yourself? What's your experience with PMR? How are you doing today?
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@britton62
I am a 78 year old female diagnosised with PMR 6 months ago. I have gone from 15 mg prednisone down to 6 mg.
When I was at 9 mg I experienced a lot of fatigue. I was also experiencing a re occurring hip pain which I get cortisone injections for every 4 to 6 months. I did play around with my prednisone also at the time but it didn’t seem to help. I ended up staying at 9 mg for 6 weeks plus the cortisone injection. The fatigue has improved but I am less active then I was.
I'm coming off a week of a terrible flu with high fever all week. My PMR came back with such force, like I have not seen in years. Barely able to lift my arms and my shoulders are in such pain. Has anyone experienced a flare up in PMR with the flu? Thank you.
@britton62 Sorry to hear you go through this. Several people on these chats have given really great information. I cannot give advice, these are just my own thoughts. One thing that I only understood quite recently was that PMR and Pred tapering are so very separate. I was thrilled my tapering rather quickly off pred was going perfectly with no side effects. Back in gym, felt like super woman. Most likely as I had only been on pred about 2 months, my adrenal glands had only been on vacation for a short period, hence no pred withdrawal symptoms. Once down to 1.25MG PMR was back, it had never left. The underlying condition might (seems from this forum) take about 2 years to burn itself out. Also the fatigue yes, as well as shoulder pain. Guess not much we can do but keep pushing through this.
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1 ReactionI was diagnosed with PMR at age 64 and was prescribed prednisone which is working well. But I have been told prednisone will reduce bone density and cause osteoporosis. Has anyone else been told this?
@flowerlady65
Yes it’s a common side effect.
@britton62 a healthy diet seems to help best I have noticed but I know your pain. I miss me from 9 months ago. I was so active and now everything seems to exhaust me.
Does anyone experience cold temperature differently? I have become very sensitive to the cold.
@flowerlady65
Yes, I was told this. My Rheumatologist sent me to get a DXA bone density scan last month since I had been on prednisone for 6 months already (it took that long to find a rheumatologist).
My bone density was fine, but I am male and the Dr said there was very little documentation
on osteoporosis for males on prednisone. But being over 70 is also a risk factor for men.
My understanding is that I will get another DXA in 2 years if I am still(!!!)on prednisone.
On and off prednisone 3x since being diagnosed last December 2025 … started August of 2025 … just seems when I taper off I seem to still have a little awkward muscle pain in my shoulders and upper arm always seems to be very manageable but not like before I got this PMR #nightmere