Emotional Roller Coaster and PMR

Good morning, jabrown. While my psychological symptoms weren't as bad as yours, I definitely experienced and continue to experience some. When I was first diagnosed, I discovered this support group and started reading the various things that can happen to a PMR patient. Some of them were so horrifying that it increased my anxiety and made me start feeling very depressed. I recall that three days after my diagnosis I had learned so many negative things, that I spent most of the day crying. But I soon began educating myself on ways to minimize my chances of becoming diabetic and having my osteoporosis worsening. Fortunately I have always been slim and fairly fit. I gave up most sugar (not all; I still need that bit of sweetness now and then), refined white flour, pre-packaged foods with preservatives, etc. I increased my protein, and even bought max protein Ensure, which has a slight sweetness that satisfies my sweet tooth for a dessert after dinner. I also found a YouTube that featured exercises especially for PMR patients. Once I viewed the YouTube, I realized I was already much more advanced than the exercises she was showing. My doctor had told me years ago to carry weights around to build my bone density. So I started a 20-minute "weighted walk" routine, which I try to do every day. I hold 5-pound weights in each hand and strap 1.5 pound weights to each ankle. After a couple of months, I increased the ankle weights to 3 pounds each. I also do push-ups against my kitchen counter, and jog in place for 100 steps at a time. These are all exercises that build bone density. Another thing for me is prayer. I am an unashamed Christian, and I have so many times experienced what I believe to be miracles, that I have a strong faith. Of course I question God also, i.e. "Why me, God? " But I believe He wants to make me stronger through adversity. So far I have not experienced any swelling, except a very slight puffiness in my cheeks, but definitely not "moonface." I have noticed an increased tendency to bruise, but my dermatologist recommended Arnicare, which is a cream that if applied right after a bump on the arm or leg, will prevent the bruise from appearing. My PC doc gave me some mild sleeping pills that help with the sleeplessness caused by prednisone. But overall, I believe I am doing better than most. I had recent labs, and they were all good. I just hope I can continue tapering my prednisone without any pain. Another psychological effect that still lingers, seems to be a lack of desire to participate in some of the organizations I formerly engaged in. I'm not sure why, but I still feel a bit stand-offish that way and find myself shutting people out sometimes. I finally found one acquaintance who had experienced PMR several years ago, so she and I were able to talk about it. Most of my friends have zero idea of the initial pain. I sincerely wish you the best. By the way, I am a 77-year old female.

I am not sure that PMR causes that much emotional distress? It is painful but can be controlled and managed. It is like a really bad bad case of arthritis but once controlled and managed life should be OK? I wonder if your emotional distress comes from a lack of compassion from others? Perfectly normal
Continue with your breakfast meetings and I do agree with you about many doctors not feeling the need or having the time to display some EQ

I could write a long piece about emotions and physical limitations from PMR, but I will say your words definitely resonated with me. I am no longer taking prednisone (after 14 months) and feel OK. I say only ok because at my age (78) other stuff just crops up. Arthritis from shoulder surgery (you are not alone), osteoarthritis in my hip joints, knee issues (bakers cysts) and whatever else is lurking, as yet undetected, in my aging body. I look pretty normal so I don’t complain but unless you have experienced PMR you cannot know how frustrating the condition is. Advil is my usual go to med and exercise and PT are helping me to stay strong. Carpe Diem Liz Ward

Good morning, jabrown. While my psychological symptoms weren't as bad as yours, I definitely experienced and continue to experience some. When I was first diagnosed, I discovered this support group and started reading the various things that can happen to a PMR patient. Some of them were so horrifying that it increased my anxiety and made me start feeling very depressed. I recall that three days after my diagnosis I had learned so many negative things, that I spent most of the day crying. But I soon began educating myself on ways to minimize my chances of becoming diabetic and having my osteoporosis worsening. Fortunately I have always been slim and fairly fit. I gave up most sugar (not all; I still need that bit of sweetness now and then), refined white flour, pre-packaged foods with preservatives, etc. I increased my protein, and even bought max protein Ensure, which has a slight sweetness that satisfies my sweet tooth for a dessert after dinner. I also found a YouTube that featured exercises especially for PMR patients. Once I viewed the YouTube, I realized I was already much more advanced than the exercises she was showing. My doctor had told me years ago to carry weights around to build my bone density. So I started a 20-minute "weighted walk" routine, which I try to do every day. I hold 5-pound weights in each hand and strap 1.5 pound weights to each ankle. After a couple of months, I increased the ankle weights to 3 pounds each. I also do push-ups against my kitchen counter, and jog in place for 100 steps at a time. These are all exercises that build bone density. Another thing for me is prayer. I am an unashamed Christian, and I have so many times experienced what I believe to be miracles, that I have a strong faith. Of course I question God also, i.e. "Why me, God? " But I believe He wants to make me stronger through adversity. So far I have not experienced any swelling, except a very slight puffiness in my cheeks, but definitely not "moonface." I have noticed an increased tendency to bruise, but my dermatologist recommended Arnicare, which is a cream that if applied right after a bump on the arm or leg, will prevent the bruise from appearing. My PC doc gave me some mild sleeping pills that help with the sleeplessness caused by prednisone. But overall, I believe I am doing better than most. I had recent labs, and they were all good. I just hope I can continue tapering my prednisone without any pain. Another psychological effect that still lingers, seems to be a lack of desire to participate in some of the organizations I formerly engaged in. I'm not sure why, but I still feel a bit stand-offish that way and find myself shutting people out sometimes. I finally found one acquaintance who had experienced PMR several years ago, so she and I were able to talk about it. Most of my friends have zero idea of the initial pain. I sincerely wish you the best. By the way, I am a 77-year old female.