Can PMR be induced by Exercise

It's interesting to read the comments regarding exercise. I was a long distance runner and in very good physical condition, I eat mostly organic foods and very little meat - and only that which is grass fed or fed its natural diet as intended by nature. My PMR came on first with sore shoulders and stiffness all over but mostly, it was the fatigue during my running that I noticed. I knew something wasn't right because I've never been low on energy. Slowly, the PMR took over and after blood tests, they confirmed that's what it was. I don't think it was the exercise that brought it on because I'd been running for years before the PMR began. Every body is different of course, but if it is an auto-immune disorder (which it is) I do not see how exercise could bring it on. I think it would already be starting and you've noticed it because the exercise became painful. I could be wrong, but that was my experience.

My PMR started when I was exercising at least two hours a day. Part of it involved walking backwards. I got a sore ankle, most likely tendonitis, and within a couple of days, I had pain and stiffness from the neck down. The pain was above 10 on the scale, incredible!
I'm not a medical professional, but I think that traumatic injury can trigger an autoimmune response. My aunt's PMR started after she injured her back, moving furniture.

My PMR flared for the first time shortly after weight training and also viral exposure on public transport. I had already noticed unusual fatigue, but the combination of weight training and virus exposure may have been the final straw. Due to the extreme inflammation I experienced, I stopped weight training for several months. Once the inflammation was in control, and I subsequently tapered down to 20 mg/day of Prednisone, I began weight training again. That was about a year ago. I tapered completely off Prednisone in October 2023, and have continued weight training since without a problem.

I just recalled that my sister in law also developed PMR after she fell off a bike. She was a collegiate gymnast and avid runner all her life until then. She is also a doctor in pharmacy and blames her PMR on the Covid shots that she was required to get. Who knows.

Exercise does stress the body and does cause inflammation in the body. Perhaps it's a positive type of inflammation but not sure the body knows the difference.
I am 100% certain that there is at least some possibility that exercise, esp over-exercise, triggers PMR in some people. The fact that mine started in my thighs is so "interesting" because that's the area that I was overworking on purpose for several months. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Hi. I posted earlier regarding the onset after heavy goblet squats. New issue here. Today I did a Pilates class at a studio with the reformer and equipment. The class was gentle but challenging all of the specific muscles that the PMR hits-shoulders and hips. I drove home and felt more mobile than I had for a while. I found some of the arm circles a bit rough but I think it was good for me. I will probably not continue due to unrelated issues like distance, schedule, class availability, etc. I'm desperately wanting to return to an exercise program. I'm also considering trying yoga or mat pilates, but these classes aren't at great times, either. I have more than 50 Orangetheory classes that I have already paid for and may just do one with lighter weights but worry it may be too intense. My doc says to do anything that does not hurt.

Anyway, what has worked best for all of you? Did I hit on something with Pilates, or is it just "another thing"? Thanks for the input.

I cannot over exercise , nothing strenuous. Trina

I think it is interesting how many people who comment here state how active and healthy they were before PMR hit. I was the same at 71, doing uphill hiking, bicycling, yard work, gardening and birding carrying a telescope for several miles. No problems with blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, etc. But the year before I got PMR, 2020, I had substantial stress. My father died, expected at 103, but there was a lot of family disagreement and conflict. The pandemic hit, and a huge forest fire burned right up to the edge of the city, burned 400 homes, with smoke so thick it was impossible to go outdoors without a special mask for a week. My theory is that the COVID vaccine a few months into 2021 was the final straw. I've had overreactions to the flu shot for years, including fevers. The other factor regarding exercise is that I tend to overdo activity as a way to cope with stress and that adds inflammation. As we age we are less resilient. It's also interesting that people tend to get PMR in their early 70's and not at later ages. I think the immune system weakens and is no longer strong enough to cause the overreaction that brings on PMR.

My feeling is “do what you can-when you can”. Whenever muscle pain rears its ugly head I practice my version of Pain Reprocessing Therapy and get busy with something else.
I have a hard time sitting still but Rest is definitely part of the equation. It is a time to meditate, think positively, and sometime journal. Sometimes journaling can brings clues to what may have precipitated the pain.

I can't imagine anyone with PMR able to do these workouts without pain. I can't do any type of exercise at all without pain or paying for it later. Esp the arms and groin area. You must have a light case or being treated and don't have pain? The first thing I will do if this gets better (treatment or otherwise) is work out. I SO miss it and so does my body!!