Location, Location, Location

@girastancil - The last time I heard that phrase was from a realtor 🙂 Right about now, I'm thinking the best place to live is someplace warm and dry - Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, etc... anywhere but here in southern Minnesota where it's currently 3 degrees above! Oddly enough New York, Maryland and Vermont are at the top of the list on CreakyJoints.org (https://creakyjoints.org/news/best-and-worst-states-live-with-arthritis/) but I'm pretty sure it's not the weather that puts them on top but the availability of a rheumatologist.

There are some good recommendations here if it's an option...
-- Best Climate for Arthritis:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/best-climate-for-arthritis-5094272

I live in warm, sunny FL. PMR hurts like hell here too. Don’t think it’s NY. And you may have better doctors up there… although who knows anymore?

I grew up in Manitoba - north of where John is right now, but now live in Chicago area. The best lifelong advice is "Bundle Up". Warm wind-resistant clothes for cold weather and effective raingear for wet weather can make a big difference. I'm having a flare-up right now but still need to exercise doggoes, and it is fairly comfortable if wearing enough warm clothes to feel cozy. I read that PMR is common in northern peoples, but I'm pretty sure it is due to genetic history, not the climate.

I live in Austin, TX and my Rhuematoligist is with UT Health (university of TX). I’m very happy with her and she seems on top of what’s going on with PMR. She is very supportive and I’m so grateful.

I live in east central Illinois. We would move to Tennesee if we moved.

Hi @girastancil, I live in Hawaii and symptoms of PMR started in the spring. I had those symptoms for a year before I was diagnosed and started prednisone. I don't know if my symptoms would have been worse in a cold climate. In Hawaii, with a daily climate in the 80s, my pain was over the top, above 10, everyday until I started prednisone. Bundle up and stay warm, maybe invest in a good infrared heating pad, and, most importantly, find a good physician who will provide appropriate care.

I live in Northern Michigan. Exactly what I do-bundle up and get moving. I believe the more fresh air the better. It hurts but I know I must keep moving, and pray to God that his will is to keep this at a minimum manageable.

I am new to this diagnosis and have a question. Currently on 10 mg Pred. Worried about getting sick being around others in this cold/flu/Covid season. I don’t want to isolate myself from my grandkids but it seems one of them is always sick with something.

I used to laugh at a coworker a few years before COVID as he was constantly washing his hands before and after breaks along with coughing into his elbow. After COVID I became just like him and still got COVID but I haven't had the flu or a cold since I started being better with the hand to mouth hygiene. Being careful around the grandkids has to be a different story. Maybe just ask their mom and dad to keep them away if they are sick. Didn't have that problem with my grandma as she chewed snuff and sat next to a nasty spittoon and I wasn't about to give her a kiss. Did give her hugs but my head was turned the other way.

Hi @girastancil, I forgot to mention that with symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis, including anemia, I could not bear to be in the sunlight or heat, and I used to love it. Living in Hawaii, my preference was to walk on overcast and cool days, kind of rare in the summer!