← Return to Muscle Weakness with PMR, can I resume working with weights?

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@tsc

Hello@abbeyc and @quilterdar I had PMR and GCA undiagnosed for a year. These are autoimmune diseases that attack the blood vessels so decrease blood flow throughout the body. The pain with PMR was so extreme I could only manage a walk in the morning. After a while that was exhausting. I had anorexia and anemia caused by PMR and GCA. Before that, in addition to walking, I strength trained on a regular basis, did Pilates, and even some Judo. With PMR and GCA my muscles were hanging and wasting away. I also got a diagnosis of osteoporosis. I did not go back to strength training until, taking prednisone, my pain decreased. I bought specific targeted workout DVDs for osteoporosis and have been working with light weights for about six months now. I also purchased a Whole Body Vibration Exercise machine to build bone density. My muscles are coming back, no longer hanging. I do pace myself though. I alternate walking with strength training workouts, but use the vibration exerciser six days a week. In the past people have posted that once their PMR was under control and they went back to super hard workouts, they got flareups. I am just grateful to be working out and doing something good for my bones. Now I'm down to 4 mg of Prednisone from 40 mg with no pain, and I'm 71. Best to you both. You'll get through this.

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Replies to "Hello@abbeyc and @quilterdar I had PMR and GCA undiagnosed for a year. These are autoimmune diseases..."

Oh my gosh, thank you for sharing this. Yes, the muscles are hanging - exactly! So frightening! and like over night! I know the pain you must have felt. I'm so sorry. I too have osteoporosis so I will look into these body vibration machines - has it made a difference in your bone density or too early to tell? Is it the Power Plate brand I just looked at?

But you bring up another concern: decreased blood flow throughout the body. I wonder what other organs are being affected as a result. and is the blood flow then improved I wonder once on the Prednisone?