Pain in legs with PMR

@franklinlala Mayo says"Symptoms Caused by PMR: Aching and pain: Deep, symmetric pain in the shoulders, upper arms, hips, and neck.Morning stiffness: Severe stiffness lasting 45 minutes or longer upon waking.Restricted movement: Trouble raising the arms above the shoulders, getting out of a chair, or putting on clothes.Systemic inflammation signs: Mild fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and unintended weight loss.
Symptoms Caused by Prednisone; Sleep changes: Trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia) and nervous energy right after a dose.Appetite and weight: Increased hunger, fluid retention (puffiness/moon face), and weight gain.Mood shifts: Feeling jittery, anxious, irritable, or moody.Physical vulnerability: High blood sugar, high blood pressure, thin skin prone to bruising, and long-term bone loss (osteoporosis).Tapering fatigue: Exhaustion or body aches that flare up specifically when lowering the steroid dose, which can mimic a PMR relapse.

I just had cortisone shots in my back because the pain was going down those legs. It seems to be helping a little bit but for some reason I still have pain in my hips which according to x-rays, are fine. I don't want to take Lyrica because it made me gain weight and felt horrible actually. No energy at all. I wonder if there's a different medicine that could help without the side effects.

I have significant lordosis and aches in L4-5. My PMR registers more in my buttocks, pelvic girdle and at least partially due to interactions with the low back aches they overwork my leg muscles used for maintaining balance. Standard weights exercise doesn't address this problem, in fact it seems to exacerbate aches and pains on the outside of my thighs and at the base of my calves. Attending regular balance and functional fitness classes has helped me strengthen my core and those balance muscles. In my experience (3 months) PMR is a strange disease which can show up in many ways, partly why it took years to get a diagnosis, and the magic of Prednisone. Not that I'd recommend Prednisone to anyone who does not really need it. I'm hoping to begin weaning off when I see my Rheumatologist next week.

@josie0526
I'm sorry you're in this kind of pain. Have you seen a Rheumatologist and do you know if you have PMR? I've had horrible sciatica and epidural too many times, but your leg pain may be PMR not your back/spinal nerves??? I had horrible leg pain too with my PMR, Along with hips, thighs and upper body, shoulders, upper arms, hands/fingers.
If it is PMR pain, there's not much besides Prednisone that's immediate but it would be best to ask Rheumatologist.
Yes, Prednisone has side effects possible but so do all medications. It depends on what's right for you. I'm so grateful for Prednisone. My pain was brutal and incessant starting every night around 2-3am and the pain and symptoms progressed and stayed with me almost all day, until afternoon and then would wane. Then start all over again 2-3 am with pain in my shoulders so bad I had to get up out of bed and go sit on couch with pillows up under my arms to lessen the pain just a little. If you're not sure if your hip, leg, etc pain is PMR or not, Rheumatologist would be best Dr to see to diagnose and they can order any labs, color doppler ultrasound of your shoulders to confirm or rule out presence if bursa issues that are specific to PMR, and it can also check you for GCA (Giant Cell Arterits) which is a very serious disease people with PMR often get. You may know all this if you know you have PMR already. Hope you can get some relief.
Blessings.

Moving joints before get out of bed 20 times each fir arms,and legs helps.