I was diagnosed with PMR when 72. It came as a big shock as I was [I thought] healthy and active for my age. The pain in my shoulders and hips was excruciating and I had never experienced such fatigue. By 11am I was back in bed for about 2 hours.
Now down the track in 2023 I am recovering { I hope] from LCA which was diagnosed last August .I am now tapering from prednisone 60mg and currently on 7mg. It has been such roller coaster ride with several side effects from the prednisone. Muscle weakness, decreased appetite , fatigue, foot neuropathy, atrial fibrillation, lumbar stenosis ,the last three only developing after the prednisone dosage started. My doctors tend to deny this possibility but for me the coincidence is marked. I realise that now at 80, some of these problems may have occurred anyway but as I say the coincidence is there.
I try to stay positive but my life has changed so much. I can't even walk our much loved pup, something which I really enjoyed. My physical fitness has deteriorated to the extent that I can.t walk 100m without becoming weak in the legs and somewhat breathless. I am almost housebound although thankfully I am still driving.
So I tell myself that this is my new life and I must make the most of each day as much as I can. I live in a beautiful part of Central NSW , Australia, with mild summers [because of altitude], cold winters and the best Autumn and Spring.