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PMR: Pain moving around your body
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Sep 24, 2022 | Replies (40)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed three months ago. My main symptoms include pain in the shoulders with limited arm movement when I first wake up. To date I have not started prednisone as I find if I get in a hot tub or shower first thing in the morning my symptoms ease up and within an hour or two I am able to continue with my usual activities. I am wondering is there is anyone out there who has managed their pmr without steroids and what that has been like. What about anti-inflammatory diets?
Replies to "I was diagnosed three months ago. My main symptoms include pain in the shoulders with limited..."
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Hi Meredith @meredith101, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you joined the PMR club but you may one of the lucky ones. I've had similar symptoms in the morning while tapering down on prednisone when my PMR was active but that was the prednisone kicking in a little later in the morning. Activity also helps when you start moving in the morning.
I might also wonder if I really had PMR since there are many different conditions that mimic PMR symptoms so that may be playing a part in your diagnosis.
-- Diseases that mimic polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR):
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/diseases-that-mimic-polymyalgia-rheumatica
If you are getting by without the prednisone I definitely think it would be worth a try to make some diet and lifestyle changes to see if that helps ease your current symptoms. I would also check with your doctor or rheumatologist to see if they have some suggestions. You might want to read through the following discussion to see suggestions from others.
-- PMR Diet: Foods to eat and avoid:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diet-and-pmr/
I can tell you my second occurrence of PMR did not last as long as I made some lifestyle and diet changes getting more exercise and eliminating most processed foods and the amount of sugar I was eating.
I think it would be great if you could handle the symptoms without needing the prednisone for the pain. Have you discussed your thoughts with your doctor?