@elizabethjoan I have never believed my PMR diagnosis from the first time I was told that was my problem. As a result I have spent time doing a lot of research and seen several doctors and had more tests run - here are some of the non-PMR real problems found - please consider asking your doctor about theses.

First - an impingement between my femur and my pelvis, actually a bilateral impingement. The right side was more significant than the left. The solution is to stand, walk and sit with your feet and knees a hip's width apart. Within a week the hip pain was noticeably improved - not gone but improved. I call it "Walk like a man". It really helped - no pills, no therapy, nothing except not keeping yours knees together.

Second - I now need right shoulder replacement surgery. I had right shoulder pain and even frozen shoulder that my PCP and Rheumy attributed to PMR, not me. I went to my Ortho and in about 6 months of PT and home exercises he did the MRI that identified several real physical problems in my right shoulder that require a surgical solution. This causes left shoulder pain due to compensation. I received a steroid injection in my right shoulder that has helped immensely. My Ortho said that injections are a non-surgical alternative until they no longer work.

Third - I had a robotic hysterectomy September 1st of this year. After 3 and a half years of chasing the non-PMR sources of my problems I had sudden disabling abdominal pain in my right lower abdomen. Without testing your first thought would be an appendicitis. An abdominal MRI with contrast revealed questionable growths in my female organs thus a hysterectomy to remove everything. Six weeks later much of my abdominal pain is diminishing, I plan to give my body 3-4 months to recover from surgery and correct any problems the female tumors were causing. Fingers crossed this resolves all of my "hip girdle" pain. I am 78 years young and had not had a Pap Smear in 5 years or a pelvic exam in 10 years. My gynecological surgeon did do a pelvic and said he could not feel anything. One tumor was a little larger than a golf ball. I had 4-5 separate tumors.

Fourth - I will be seeing my 5th Hematologist the first of November. One retired. When he heard about my case from a friend he requested to see me. I have chronic anemia with no known cause. On Mayo Clinic Connect I noticed that others with a PMR diagnosis who also have chronic anemia report that the anemia is controlled with their prednisone med. I agreed to take 5mg prednisone and indeed the anemia went away. Went off of it once the abdominal tumors were found, anemia returned. The new hematologist believes the anemia is caused by a rear form of leukemia that was not even diagnosable 3 years ago. We will see what he can find.

The journey continues.

I hope this note helps you believe enough to listen to your body and advocate for what your mind and body are telling you.