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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 27 8:38am | Replies (1879)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed 7 months ago and am now down to 6 mg. of prednisone a day. I too have unusual sweating, and fatigue. I used to work out at least 3 times a week before PMR, that has all gone downhill. Because of Covid, I work out a bit at home, but it isn't the same. I feel tired almost all the time. My legs don't work as well as they used to. I can no longer squat without holding on to something, and it hurts to stay in a squatting position. I am 72, soon to be 73. I feel like I aged 10 years in the past year. Hopefully when this goes away I can regain the strength in my legs and arms. I wish you well. Thank God the prednisone stops the pain in my muscles. But is does cause me to nibble too much, and sleep is difficult at night. But I remember having sleep problems even before prednisone. That might be age related. Who knows? Good luck to you, this is an amazing group of people you have aligned with. I love this Mayo Clinic connect. It helps to talk with others going thru much of the same things you are.
Replies to "I was diagnosed 7 months ago and am now down to 6 mg. of prednisone a..."
Hello @floridabonnie and @mopo I was incredibly sore, stiff, and tired all day long before being diagnosed with PMR and GCA. Both disorders can cause anemia which causes fatigue. I could manage a long walk every morning, which was a chore to get through, but that was it. I could not keep regular strength training workouts up. Now tapered down from 40 mg Prednisone to 7.5 mg, most of my pain is gone. I never felt old before the onset of these disorders (I'm 70), even after open-heart surgery, but now I have had to face aging in a new way, accepting myself as a somewhat "frail, elderly" person, with the additional diagnosis of osteoporosis. On the lower dosages of prednisone, under 20 mg, I sleep fine. When I was "wired" on 40 - 20 mg, lemon balm herbal tea helped me get some sleep. I would drink it while reading on the couch, not in bed, then feel drowsy after an hour or so, go back to bed, and sleep a little more. DO NOT take melatonin as it messes with the immune system and every bottle of melatonin I've seen has a warning on it about that. PMR and GCA are autoimmune disorders and are considered "self-limiting" diseases. They eventually fizzle out. Eventually??? Also, to manage pain while on Prednisone, acetaminophen is recommended over NSAIDs, which can cause additional stomach irritation. Before diagnosis, I invested in an infrared heat pad called Thermotex, which provides the deepest heat possible. It is very comforting. All the best.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I agree, this site is amazing. I’m 71 so your age. My 20mg ea day of prednisone doesn’t take away my morning pain but by afternoon I’m better. I wish you well and here’s to remission!!! Take care!