Do I have polymyalgia rheumatica?

Hello! My name is Debbie, and I am so glad to meet everyone who is suffering from PMR like myself, A few months ago i started to have pain in both of my upper arms and my legs. I'm glad to say that the leg pain left but the arms did not. Over the next several weeks the pain intensified to the point that I could not get off a chair or bed. I could not brush my hair or wash it and i needed help getting dressed. As you all know it's very frighting. I did what we all do with over-the-counter meds and that helped a lot. It was not going away, and I was getting depressed not knowing what this condition was. I finally went to a doctor, and they told me I had PMR. She put me on 5 days of 25mil of Prednisone. Following that,4days, then 3,2,1. With in hours the pain started to go away. What a relief. I was thinking, this is great! it will be cured. Was I fooled; the pain came back as soon as i stopped the medication. Now round 2 of meds. Doing research and thinking of acupuncture. Has anyone tried this ?

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.

Welcome, and glad you found the group while you’re going through this. @johnbishop provided some great resources if you’re interested in learning more about treating PMR.

Unfortunately, PMR requires long-term use of prednisone until your pain and fatigue is completely or almost complete resolved, before you’ll need to start what’s likely to be a long and slow taper to get off the prednisone.

My father was diagnosed with PMR in May 2022. His highest prednisone dose was 30 mg, and he’s currently down to 6.25 mg.

Doctors will sometimes prescribe what sounds like a prednisone pack or low-moderate dose of prednisone to confirm a diagnosis of PMR—if you have immediate relief and meet the other criteria it’s very likely you have it. But the pain comes right back if you speed through the taper like that or stop the medication.

May I ask, did you see your PCP or other specialist? If you haven’t yet and if it’s an option, you may want to establish with a rheumatologist. They would have the most experience with this condition, but depending on your area, the wait times can be long, so some PCPs can and do help manage the condition.

What kind of instructions did your doctor give you after you completed the prednisone RX, and have you had a chance to talk with them yet?

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.

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.

74 yo male, quite healthy until the 4th Covid shot...? Shortly afterwards same symptoms appeared but much worse. Could not put on the socks, pants, shirt, practically an invalid until I found a good rheumatologist. He immediately prescribed prednisone 20 mg which completely eliminated the pain(s). now I control the PMR with 10mg daily. Prednisone seems to be the only (unfortunately) successful medication for the PMR, accept it if you want to live without the pains, no other solution to my knowledge is available so far. Prednisone, however, does affect the liver so get a monthly blood test. Good luck.
Marty

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.