Connect
← Return to Do I have polymyalgia rheumatica?
Discussion
Do I have polymyalgia rheumatica?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 5, 2023 | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
Sorry this happened to you too, Debbie. I agree, it's frightening and depressing. I live alone, so have no one to help me, which makes it even more stressful. I'm glad the prednisone worked so quickly for you. It's not really working that well for me, even after three days. It's taken the edge off the pain, but that's about it -- my arms and legs still hurt, which means I have to take Tylenol too. But then I am only on 15 mg of prednisone -- I may need a higher dose. I'll be calling my doc next week to ask him about this if I don't see some marked improvement soon. I'm very disheartened right now, as I was really expecting to be feeling some significant relief by now.
I'm considering acupuncture, but haven't tried it yet. I'm also thinking about physical therapy. I'm worried that I'm going to start losing muscle mass because I'm only getting a fraction of the exercise I used to before this all started.
Unfortunately, PMR can last years and there's no cure. It may go into remission, but you can also get flareups. I'm trying hard to modify my lifestyle -- improve my diet, drink more water, deal more effectively with stress, practice deep breathing, meditation, etc., and making sure I get some exercise every day, even if it's just a few short walks. I'm also trying to achieve a positive attitude, but it's hard.
Replies to "Sorry this happened to you too, Debbie. I agree, it's frightening and depressing. I live alone,..."
So sorry Charlette that you did not get the relief you so need with pred. Yes, i agree you need to up the dose to at least 25mil like I have. I dont know what I would do with out this drug. I am also getting reflexology and message and that does help. Every morning I run to the community pool as my exercise to keep my muscles in shape. Somthing about water the distresses your emotions. My belief is to take one day at a time and do the best you can do. But please tell you doctor that you are not satisfied with that dose and I am sure he will up it for you. Let me know how it goes for you.
Does anyone have any experience with acupuncture? I find I cannot tolerate sugar, salt or I have a reaction.
Connect
I'm hoping things either turn around quickly or that you'll be able to work out a plan with your doctor. I think we talked about this before, but maybe you can do labs again and that could help you feel more confident about whether or not to up the prednisone dose. It does sound like that may be the next step though.
My dad I think started at 20 mg (?) I can't quite remember. It worked really well at first, but didn't last. He had a serious health problem come up that may have contributed to a flare and ended up needing to go up to 30 mg.
He also did PT and OT, for the other health problem that came up, but it helped with the PMR also. It's just that you'd want to find a PT who really understands chronic pain and fatigue because a body/brain in chronic pain responds very differently to exercise. Some of his PTs (he was in a rehab hospital) really didn't get it. They'd push him too hard because he was "strong enough" but then he'd crash because it was too much.
I didn't have much experience with OT, but it was great because one of his main symptoms is fatigue, and they were able to help with tips and tricks for "energy management" and ways to move around and do the things he wanted to do with less pain and fatigue.