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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Sep 10 12:05pm | Replies (1906)Comment receiving replies
I came down with this disease about 10 weeks ago, and by about week 6 it was severe enough that I was able to diagnose it (my father and a friend both had it, so I knew the symptoms). In my area it takes about five months to get an appointment with a doctor, and I don't think I want to take Prednisone anyway, so I will probably tough it out. I'd like to know the normal progression of the disease in people who don't take Prednisone. Do the symptoms gradually get less intense? Do they go away after a year or so? Does ibuprofen help?
Replies to "I came down with this disease about 10 weeks ago, and by about week 6 it..."
After 3 years of prednisone, which worse than PMR, IMHO, I chose the grin&bear it path. For me PMR has ups and downs, comes and goes. Sometimes aspirin works, try stuff.
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HI, I'm sorry that you are having PMR pain and are unable to see a doctor for such a long time. I have had two bouts of PMR. The first bout occurred thirteen years ago in 2008 and lasted for six to eight months, during which I took prednisone intermittently. My second experience with PMR began in January 2021 immediately after I received the Covid vaccination. I began treatment under the guidance of a rheumatologist and took low dose prednisone, which relieved the symptoms and reduced inflammation. I did not experience any adverse effects from the prednisone and was able to taper off over a period of three months. The entire episode lasted around six to eight months and I am now in remission. In my case, neither ibuprofen or tylenol had any effect on the painful symptoms. Prednisone was the only remedy that afforded relief. I hope you are able to find a way to manage your symptoms soon.