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@johnbishop

Hello Chris @ncgal, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You certainly have had a lot on your plate and adding PMR to that is a double whammy. My PMR is currently in remission but I have had two occurrences and was started on 20 mg prednisone both times and it was the magic pill - pretty much all my pain went away until I started tapering off of prednisone (which you want to do when the pain/inflammation is controlled). The first time it took me almost 3 years to taper off with the last few months going back and forth between 1 mg and 1/2 mg until I was finally able to stop taking it with minimum aches and pain. The second time around came 6 years later and took me 1-1/2 years to taper off with similar tapering. You are right about the first time feeling like you were hit by a truck.

Since you have only recently been diagnosed with PMR and just started prednisone, it might be worth calling your rheumatologist or doctor to see if the dosage should be adjusted upward if your pain is too much. Fatigue can be a problem.
Another thing that did help me was a lifestyle change with my eating habits. I still have my days but try to avoid certain foods and the big one sugar. You might find these articles helpful.

What to eat if you have polymyalgia rheumatica: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321683

3 Strategies for Coping with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR):
-- https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/3-strategies-coping-polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr

Peripheral Neuropathy Nutrition: https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/lifestyle/nutrition/

Chris are you able to sleep well?

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Replies to "Hello Chris @ncgal, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You certainly have had a lot on your..."

John, thanks for your reply. My goodness, you certainly have been at this a long time. I'm glad you are doing better now.

I have never had a problem sleeping, thank goodness. Only difference is that I now sleep totally on my back as I can't roll over or sleep on my side due to the shoulder and knee pain. The rheumatologist will do a virtual telephone appointment with me after I have been on the Prednisone for two weeks. He suggested that at that time if my pain had diminished he would wean me off it. From all I am hearing and reading that sounds a little premature.

I know I must start eating the correct foods but I still have a lack of appetite and am still losing weight. I have lost a total of 60 lbs since my cancer diagnosis. I have looked at the web sites you posted, thank you. I will stock up on the "good" foods as soon as I feel confident enough to send my adult son to the store for me. Don't want him coming down with the virus at least for these next two apex weeks.

Stay safe.