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PMR Anyone?
I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica about a year ago. I WAS a very active 69 year old female all of a sudden, not being able to get out of bed on her own and having severe hip flexor pain. As is customary, after waiting 3 months to see a rheumatoid arthritis doctor, she administered the C-reactive protein test and I was VERY high. So, she diagnosed me with PMR and prescribed 15 mg of prednisone. I don't like taking meds (as most of us don't), but I was in pain and had no quality of life. I'm a swimmer and could hardly dog paddle ! One year later, I have been weaning off the 15 mg down to 1 mg. My RA said that now it's a matter of determining if I have PMR or arthritis ... so, she prescribed 7.5 mg of meloxicam for a month. I will say my shoulder pain seems better, but my hip flexors are awful !! I don't want to go back on steroids - the devil drug. I would like to get to the "crux" of what is CAUSING my inflammation??? No doctors seem to address that? What would be my next step? A nutritionist? I am leary of taking supplements, as well. Thank you for any help or sharing your experience. Weird disease ... I just want my old life back - being able to move without pain, etc. Too much to ask?
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Lioness, It is now Feb. 9 and I have not yet joined exercise class, but plan to do so this coming week. Hope you are doing well. 🙂
@noosat1 Glad to hear I know it will benefit you. I'm doing ok. Have to go for a test on my ears
Good Morning John,
Something I have noticed in the last few days, that I thought might be helpful for some people. The last few nights I have slept exceptionally well, waking up bright and cheery. I've examined behavior of previous days. Each day after my evening dinner I have eaten a piece of dark chocolate that is at least 72% pure. When I looked online found that this can be a sleep aid. Of course it is also very beneficial in many ways including as an antioxidant. I have a LINDT chocolate bar, wafer thin, break of a piece that is about 1" by 2". The bar is 72% pure. This may not be the help I have received in sleeping, but I intend to continue doing it. 🙂
Maggie.
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2 ReactionsGood morning Maggie @noosat1, Dark chocolate is one of my favorite treats so that's good news (except for the sugar part). Even though it has caffeine in it, dark chocolate also contains serotonin which can help you relax according to sleep.org.
Five Surprising Foods That Could Be Making You Tired
-- https://www.sleep.org/articles/five-surprising-foods-that-could-be-making-you-tired/
Happy Zzzz's! (borrowed from my friend @thankful) ☺
John
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1 ReactionAlso full of antioxidants !
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2 Reactions@noosat1 I love dark chocolate eat 1 piece every lunch time as it also has caffeine in it and I don't sleep if I take any caffeine after 3 P.M. I told someone on here I use Melatonin at night about 1/2 hr before bedtime.
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1 ReactionHi Maggie, dark chocolate sounds great! Have you tried a higher percentage? Just checking as 72% is a tad bitter...but it’s still chocolate!
@dreamer38
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Posted by dreamer38 @dreamer38, 1 second ago
In reply to @noosat1 "Good Morning John, Something I have noticed in the last few days,..." + (show)
Hi Maggie, dark chocolate sounds great! Have you tried a higher percentage? Just checking as 72% is a tad bitter…but it’s still chocolate!
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1 ReactionHello @susieflamilngo, welcome to Connect. I have had two occurrences of PMR but it is currently in remission. There is another discussion where your post will receive more visibility. I'm tagging our moderator @ethanmcconkey to see if we should move your post to the following discussion where I'm sure other members with PMR may be able to share their experience with leflunomide and methotrexate,
> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > PMR Anyone?
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-anyone/
You mentioned you are stuck at 7 mg prednisone dosage. Can I ask what tapering schedules you've tried? I know we are all different but what has helped me get off prednisone was slow and easy tapering. The first occurrence of PMR took me 3 years to taper off. The last six months was going between 1 mg and 1/2 mg dosage until I was finally able to stop taking it. The second occurrence was much easier for me. It only took 1-1/5 years to taper off.
John
I am new to this group ! I have been looking for
other PMR suffers for a long time. On Prednisone for one and half years. Last year I managed to taper to 3mg but suddenly came down with a terrible frontal headache for several weeks. Luckily I had the required eye exam and was ok. Went back to 20mg but quickly tapered to 7mg where I am stuck. My labs are now normal and have been for some time. When I try to taper more, I just feel so tired, no pain. My arthritis md wanted me to go on Leflunomide from the beginning of treatment and I finally tried it recently just for a few days and had horrible diarrhea. She wants me to try again at 1/2 dose but the above problem ? Has anyone here had experience with this drug? Have never tried Methotrexate but do not drink.
Any help appreciated!!