Hi Judy, PMR is a relatively rare autoimmune disease that effects 52.5 in 100,000 people. About 30% develop Giant Cell Arteritis, which I also have. These diseases mostly occur in people 50 and older and the likelihood increases with age. Women get PMR at twice the rate men do, and there are genetic markers. The highest incidences of PMR and GCA are in Scandanavian countries. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also occur in patients with PMR (This info from Cecil and Goldman's Textbook of Medicine, Chapter on GCA and PMR). My background is mostly Soutern European, and for a disease that is relativey rare, my aunt and mother-in-law both had it.
I found saffron capsules - 88 mg - at Swanson Vitamins on line. On a scale of 1-10, the pain and stiffness of my PMR was a 10, something I will never forget. It got better after nine or ten months, but then, I got other weird symptoms, which were Giant Cell Arteritis. When I had PMR I still managed a daily walk and I couldn't understand how I could walk for so long and still feel so stiff, especially the backs of my knees. A doctor friend pointed out that I couldn't get blood flow to the area because the PMR was attacking my veins!
I think we are so lucky to have prednisone and other drugs to manage these diseases, despite their drawbacks.
Wishing you the best, Teri