Hello, I have been reading the descriptions of everyone’s journey with PMR.

I am 73 and have always been very active until last August when I began to experience incredible stiffness in the morning.… then pain in my neck, shoulders and groin and thighs. I joked that I must have fibromyalgia! I was a runner and running became increasingly difficult with swelling and pain in my right knee. The health professionals wanted to know what I did to my knee. I told them “nothing” and that running started being a problem because of neck and shoulder pain. Of course, the knee became the focus of treatment and it was drained and injected with steroids.

In November, I started physical therapy and began daily exercises which were exhausting, although not even that strenuous. I was treated for rotator cuff and hip flexor issues…all viewed as collateral problems from limping around on a bad knee. The therapist advised me not to anything until the inflammation died down. I could not reach above my waist and getting in and out a car, or moving in bed was excruciatingly difficult. Inflammation?!!

Finally, I did a google search for neck, shoulder and hip pain.…and bingo! Here we are. I made an appointment with my PCP. My sed rate and C-reactive protein were markedly elevated. I was started on 15 mg of prednisone which didn’t work and was increased to 20 mg. Tapered to 17.50 mg without success. Alternating 20 and 17.5 also, without success. I am feeling like I might try 17.5 again since I am feeling pretty good.

I am following a strict diet of no sugar, high protein, low salt and 1300 calories a day. I take turmeric, boswelia extract, magnesium and collagen. I had a cheat day last weekend. The sticky steamed rice, apple cider and popcorn? affected me for 2 days! So, I believe diet is important! Before watching my calories, I had gained 4 pounds, that are now gone. I do tire with exertion, but rest and stay active alternately.

Luckily my life, otherwise, is stress free. I am waiting for a rheumatologist appointment, but UVA is not taking new patients and I may have to travel to Richmond, but no word on that yet.

I am also on levothyroxine, which was decreased at the same time. I was keeping my TSH on the low side when I felt great. But now I wonder if that may have triggered this inflammatory response in my body.

Thank-you, for this helpful, informative and supportive group!
Jill