Does PMR go away permanently?

Remission is a good thing even though there isn't a permanent cure for PMR. I'm being treated for PMR with a biologic and I have been off prednisone for 6 years. I'm described as being in a "steroid free remission" but not a "medication free remission." Being prednisone free for 6 years is wonderful too. My rheumatologist says I can take prednisone again if I ever need it. I don't ever want to take prednisone again. However, prednisone calls to me and haunts me once in a while.

Just a personal opinion but I dont think it ever goes away. The medical field has no idea what causes it. It can be a trigger from about anything. As long as those triggers or any number of new ones are in your life the condition can repeat itself. It doesnt seem to be a disease like measles where your body builds an immunity because to many people have a flare. I have been in remission for 5 years now. The first year was the toughest. Exercise and keeping active I believe have helped me. good luck

No autoimmune problem is known to have a cure, it is the nature of the diseases since basically they are known to be your body attaching itself. Autoimmune problems can go into remission and the remission can last weeks, months, years but it can return. Never a welcome guest, it does not care.
I wish you success on your journey to regaining your health and freedom.

Lifestyle and luck. The relapse and recurrence rate are always there. Diet, activity, stress, alcohol sleep and genetics with your general health might all be involved.
Work with your medical care team and keep tabs on
your inflammatory markers with yearly testing.
I confess to having a stash of prednisone left.

I'm enjoying my second remission, which has lasted over five years with no flares or relapses. I don't need any medications and I no longer see a rheumatologist. Once I achieved remission, the rheumatologist advised that I didn't need to see him any more and indicated that avoiding strenuous exercise, especially stair-climbing might help prevent relapse. My first remission lasted thirteen years. Some people are one and done; I'm hoping I'm two and done.

Well, folks. I wish!
I first met PMR following my 2nd Covid infection 2 years ago. What a rough time. I was already worn down, experienced 2 weeks home in bed, on bi-pap with O2, taking Covid meds and supplements, refusing to go to hospital and caring for myself, alone. Rough. But, I did improve slowly.

I awoke one morning after kicking Covid, in excruciating pain in both my hips, limited mobility, little use of my hips or legs. I could not turn over in bed! Then, my shoulders did much the same, both shoulders ached and felt like concrete was holding me down.

I was in trouble. Called my primary doctor. He said it sounded like PMR, began Prednisone immediately with other instructions, but again alone to care for myself.

After several weeks with gradual improvement, able to get in and out of bed, etc., the Prednisone reduced the inflammation and pain and I improved. Then, GCA hit my temples and eyes and head. Methotrexate helped.

I did go into remission for months. Never returned to the mobility I had prior, but could begin pool therapy and function fairly well, for me. I was never pain free. Never could lift my legs and feet as before PMR. My muscles and nerves weren't communicating well. But, tapered down to 10mg Prednisone, off Methatrexate, for several months.

Then, May 2025, had high glucose due to Oxympic reaction... it was controlling well the steroid induced diabetes I developed. Then, my body rejected it and I was a very ill lady, every side effect possible. Downhill... coma level glucose and ER, admission to hospital, insulin 5x daily with horrid Rollercoaster, hospital rehab for a week.

There, I became paralyzed from my hips down, for 4 days. 20 mg Prednisone reduced paralysis... PMR flare? Rare... but?

Learned how to make feet move and walk. Limited exercise. Too much caused relapse of paralysis. 1 month in horrid nursing home! Home. Limited movement. In bed most ofvthe day. Working on laptop, etc.

Tapered Prednisone to 14mg... with difficulty. Increased pain, increased muscle spams and issues, but landed on 14 mg for a bit.

Then, May 2026, PMR flare hit hard. Up to 16mg Prednisone, but need more. The hip pain wakes me at night, is severe and I'm taking Tramadol for a short time to make it through the pain. Shoulders are useless. Hips and back spasm and the pain is constant. Mobility is limited.

So, I get the impression PMR is with us to some degree whenever it decides to respond to the stressor or whatever triggers it to wake up. I see it as though it's dosing for a bit, waiting to create havoc in our bodies.

It's a mean, unforgiving disease. Hiding and keeping secrets from the medical folks. Nasty thing it is!

My thoughts. Don't know how to keep it at bay... it is humbling. Devastating when it hits hard. And persistent as heck.

I pray each of you find some peace and relief when a flare hits. I am challenged by this thing, but a determined Southern woman with a steel spine and strong will. So, I will not bow to this thing!
Blessings to all... Elizabeth

@ess77 So sorry you have had to go through all of that.

@retiredphil and all... Thanks, Phil. This is a crazy, nasty autoimmune disease. I have others, as I'm sure most on this site do as well. Sarcoidosis, PMR. GCA, Vasculitis, Arthritis, etc... Began when I was 40 years old with Sarcoid, naturally with no understanding of the illness, why I had it or got it, and was diagnosed with a lung biopsy at Mayo soon after the Jacksonville Clinic opened. I said they came to Jacksonville to help me! Pretty self-absorbed, eh? Well, they kind of did. I was a pretty sick puppy then with a young son I was raising and who had soccer games and lots of mothering I needed to accomplish. I worked full-time, was divorced and quite active. No time for this nonsense, Sarcoid! It wasn't a pleasant illness either, quite debilitating and kind of knocked me off my feet. Then, of course the high dose long-term, 8-9 months, of Prednisone and all that brought to my body. So, it was challenging. But, finally did go into remission.

I suppose, after we experience an auto-immune disease, we are never quite the same. Our body is on guard for another hit from somewhere unknown, and the damage to our body from the medications begins. Continues the rest of our lives. At least, this is my experience.

I'm 79 years old now and frankly would have loved to not learn about either PMR or GCA, or Vasculitis for that matter. But, acceptance of these interesting attacks from nowhere is my latest challenge, which I must constantly work to improve. I now have fairly good acceptance of what is, living this day with gratefulness for the day, but a PMR flare does present many challenges.

I hope you and others here are doing well with this. It sounds as though some folks stay in remission for a fairly long time... perhaps never have to deal with it a 2nd time. They are truly blessed. I think 2 Covid infections in 2023 were too much for my body to handle with the multiple unknowns from Covid. And so it goes...
Blessings to all... Elizabeth

Can Pmr cause lung congestion or sensitive eyes or intestinal dysfunction or throbbing pain in legs? I feel like my inflammation likes to move around and tease me.

I feel the same off steroids' for 6 weeks feel like SH*T ( excuse my French) hands stiff, legs sore very fatigued.
do not want to go back on Prednisone , if I can struggle through ... hope for better days:-)
EBY