PMR and exercise: What helps you?

Just call it a learning opportunity. . . At Mayo’s Pain Rehab program we learn to perform very gentle exercise—it is amazing that such gentle exercises really do help. Often many chronic pain patients have had PT that was too strenuous:

What GENTLE exercise could I do? Newly diagnosed. 10 mg steroid/day. Helped 80% overnite. I’m 76. T2 diabetic on insulin.

Suzorand...have you had the c19 vaccine yet? I have had PMR for around 5 years now and had a bad flare up starting last fall into this June of this year... thought it due to stress. I was not trusting the long term effects of the vaccines so wouldn't get it. After some research, I found that PMR will react/flare due to fighting a 'virus'....and TaDa! Got the first Moderna shot and within 3 days my symptoms dropped considerably... funny thing too....my blood markers were normal too before the vaccine shot....hmmm

@jojo123456, There are some suggestions for exercises here:

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

Very helpful, thank you!!!

John, Yes I did have the moderna shot months ago and really had no reaction to it. I can't remember now if I was having pain at that time. I was taking leflunomide along with the Pred for months and my pain level was good. I had severe reactions to the drug though, so they put me on oral Methtroxate instead. That was about 4-5 months ago. I can't tell if it is working because as I taper from 5mg to 4mg my pain is getting worse each day. I am supposed to taper to 3 in a week and I don't see that happening. That is why I am questioning infusions. My doctors have told me in the past that they believe I may end up on them, I'm a very healthy, positive person and I ignored that, thinking I would heal quickly with a good attitude and taking the drugs as directed. Well, I guess I am finding the reality of what this condition really is and that it is not easy to get into remission. So, now I will have a serious discussion with my rheumatologist about the infusions. I haven gotten a response from anyone who has tried them on any of these support groups. It sure is nice though to connect with others who are suffering with the same condition rather than just doctors who have not. Thanks for being there!

I am 70, was diagnosed a year ago June, weird how it comes on overnight! I am also very active, I surf everyday that I can and that really helps stretch the body and alleviate the pain for a while. I also walk and cycle. Cycling feels really good but walking can bring on pain in the hips and shoulders for me. Still I do it. I was doing yoga a few times a week until two years ago, my shoulder was really bothering me and I figured I needed to give up anything that bothered it to be able to continue to surf. Who knows, maybe PMR was laying latent in my body and giving up the yoga allowed it to show itself. Anyhow< feel like some light stretching yoga could help. I'll try Adriene, thanks for the advise!

Suzorand, your welcome.
FYI, I took twice as long to taper off Prednisone than what the docs said to do. I wanted to make sure PMR didn't come back. As for the other drugs... haven't heard of them. When I got my first vac shot, I was on nothing...just in terrible pain and going goofy....😳
With me, I do as much research as I can and figure out what I need to do for myself and that's how I came across the vac shot helping me. Maybe all the meds you are on are working against each other?
Google 'viruses versus Mexrothrate ' and so on with other meds and keep changing the wording around and mixing in PMR in there and scan read everything you can that may have a connection to the way you feel. Even with any supplements you may be taking. Lifestyle makes a difference sometimes too. Perseverence my friend. Plus it may give a little more hope. Canibis helps...☺️ It gets me to sleep... Good luck !

Hope yoga with Adrian is helpful to you. Don’t surf much here in Colorado…!

I found this group while searching for flare up information, my pathway through PMR has been difficult diagnosed 3 years ago was accidentally left on 35mg of prednisone for 6 months, tried biological was great however diverticulitis was aggravated so had to stop, given Arava and developed peripheral neuropathy both feet (confirmed on EMG) Arava stopped. It has taken me over 12 months to titrate prednisone and finally January 15th 2022 took my last dose, felt wonderful so much energy just felt me! 23rd and 24th assisted pregnant daughter and husband to pack their house to move into their first home. Could not believe how much energy i had and how much i was able to do. 25th pain was so intense did not sleep 26th for more than 2 hours due to pain today 28th actually sleep ok mild pain overnight and on waking. Thinking it is a flare up due to physical exertion CRP measured yesterday is elevated. To add to this my Rheumatologist is 6 hrs away and only connection is to call her leave a voicemail and she will get back to me in about a week. My question is do most of you simple battle through a flare up or is it normal to increase meds. I am not looking for advice to increase meds just trying to understand what is the normal process, i will be waiting till i hear back from my specialist prior to doing anything, and maybe it will resolve on its own ? First "flare up" as first time in 3 years not taking medication? Thanks