Hello John, I had never heard of PMR when I was diagnosed. I was glad to find this group and read about other people’s experiences.
I have known that I have auto immune syndrome since I was in my 30s because that’s when the vitiligo started. My mother had it also. When my mother and my husband died of cancer within I hear my vitiligo exploded. Then I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s. I had no energy at all. The doctor told me that the replacement thyroid would make a big difference in my energy level. But it didn’t. Then the joint pain started. That year I went to 11 different doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I saw a rheumatologist, a neurologist, an endocrinologist, a psychiatrist, a podiatrist, two orthopedic drs and a pain management specialist. She gave me steroid injections in my knees and ankles which helped for 2 to 3 months. But never a diagnosis other than osteoarthritis. I could not believe that everyone that had arthritis had this much pain. I have struggled with depression for 50 years and this really added to that. I was just in during life not enjoying it. I have two little granddaughters that I would love to play with more actively. In short it is so good to have a diagnosis. To know it’s not all in my head. To read about other people with the same condition. I don’t feel so alone.