Tight Fitting Jeans or Leggings

On the higher dosages of prednisone, I would fall asleep, but "startle" awake in two hours. I couldnt get back to sleep so would get up, read for a couple of hours, drink some lemon balm tree, and finally go back to sleep for a couple of hours. I often felt like a hepped-up Zombie. I remember great difficulty in dressing myself and anything that went on overhead - like sports bras or tank tops - were impossible. Thankfully, that's passed. "An iron band around my body at the level of my biceps" - I haven't heard anything like that before and I'm trying to imagine it. For me it was "an astronaut suit of pain and stiffness." I'm glad that you have family and others who can help you out. Take care, @mzamyl, Teri

It's fortunate that you finally found a doctor who was on the right track.

Check out JANE GUN's seamless leggings. They helped me a lot to go back to the gym with varicose veins

My general practitioner had no idea what was happening to me initially which is not surprising since so little is known by the medical world about this condition. In desperation I undertook an enormous amount of reading up on literature from the Mayo clinic and other centres of excellence on the subject to help diagnose myself , then telephoned several clinics and hospitals to find a Rheumatologist knowing there was a 7 year waiting list. Luckily I found one who had just moved to this country. Arrogantly and with a touch of humour i suggested to him in my desperation that i may have PMR based on the symptoms i was /am experiencing . Following some tests to exclude conditions such as Arthritis and based on my symptoms he confirmed PMR , vaccine related and advised how best to treat and deal with the condition, then I really understood what i was dealing with. I take every day at a time and I’m thankful for life , a supportive husband and a wonderful lovable Tibetan Terrier . I’m on my 3 rd course of Prednisolone 5 mg daily and will start tapering again in a months time reducing by 1 mg every 4 weeks. As i mentioned in a previous write up I find Chi Gong Chair yoga meditation and walking my dog very helpful. I no longer think of assisted dying and much more positive about life but oh what a shock to suddenly loose control of one’s muscles and not be able to stand walk or take care of oneself . We await any new research on the subject. Cortisone / Prednisolone appears to be the first line of treatment for now with all its side effects but for me quality of life in the here and now is more important than longevity. Don’t expect too many answers from the medical professionals as the condition is not well researched and diagnosis/ treatment is based solely on exclusion of certain conditions and symptoms.

I was diagnosed with PMR (after being misdiagnosed with pain from OA). Then after nine months was told I was misdiagnosed again and that I do not have PMR. Now I am told to take my pain meds and basically the case is closed. Can you tell me how they diagnosed your PMR and if you’re in Minnesota who your doctor was so I can get a third opinion? Thank you

Sadly your experience is similar to my early experiences. I now can see PMR has been with me for decades, but it wasn't until I had a flare up that anyone took it seriously. Eventually I was lucky my doctors office shunted me off to the Physicians Assistant who recognized what I was experiencing. I was referred to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed me with a blood test repeated every 6 weeks. He then saw me every 6 weeks to discuss where we went from there. That was 3 1/2 years ago but I am definitely getting better. The hardest part seems to be getting past the mind set that the patient is just an elderly woman. I am seeing that some of you do not even seem to have had a blood test taken to measure your level of inflammation. Luckily more research is being done on all autoimmune conditions. Most of the research seems to be coming out of Europe. Hopefully good will come from it. My best to you for your future. I can understand the 'Assisted Dying' you mentioned, I have had those days too. My hungry cats helped to divert my thought to a better place. Remember, don't throw the baby out with the bath water, there is a future without PMR. Keep a positive outlook. Not easy but it helps.

I have read all these posts and once again I am amazed by the determination of the human spirit. Everyone is spot on with their understanding of what seems to be an under researched disease. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and thanks to screening, have a good prognosis. I was floored by all the protocols that are in place. I told my surgeon (to her estonishment) that the cancer was way down on my list of things to worry about. Because they know so much about it. Even have genetic studies of the tumor to see if you would benefit from chemo. But PMR? They're not even sure if you have it. All I can say is, keep on keeping on.

Thank you for your encouragement and positivity. I have a couple of new strategies for coping with the PMR symptoms which I feel are really helping I will get back to this page later with the info at hand.

Not sure if this a non sequitur - but googling pain down the thigh - which is what i have been dealing with since May after Dx of PMR I discovered this nerve -condition :
https://www.healthline.com/health/meralgia-paresthetica
sometimes pain in the outer thigh. This results from nerve compression and is usually not serious.

Meralgia paresthetica happens when a nerve, known as the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, becomes compressed. Any of the following can trigger the condition:

pregnancy
tight clothing
hip surgery
obesity
standing or walking for long periods of time
Typically, meralgia paresthetica goes away in a few months on its own or with conservative treatment, like wearing loose-fitting clothing or losing weight. Pregnant women with the condition usually experience relief after giving birth. More severe cases may require medications or surgery.......

I wear leggings but I buy them a size or two larger so their not tight.