Golf and PMR

It's been awhile since I stopped playing golf but I'm trying to wrap my head around why your Rheumy thinks the impact of hitting the ball might cause symptoms to get worse. Maybe he's seen how bad I was and the size of the divots I took 🙂 If it were me, I would just give it a try and listen to my body - if it hurts, don't do that. Good luck whatever you decide!

I hear ya, just looking to see what others have experienced... going to swing an 8 iron today and see how it goes...thx. My Rheumy is a she BTW - I believe she was more concerned about symptoms caused by osteoarthritis as she's not convinced my symptoms are all PMR based as my blood work has been in the green for some time now but symptoms persist, next doc visit is May 10th..

I am an avid golfer and skier I am 73 got pmr last June started on 40 mg of prednisone got down to 8 had a flare in Dec back to 15 now on 10 will go this week to 9.5 for 3 weeks and see how it goes. I am going skiing today. I golf 3 times a week just take my pred earlier in the morning so I am not stiff or sore No Problem I am now making sure that my pain and stiffness levels stay at 1-3 on a scale of 10 each morning usually 1-2 if you are stiffer than that your dose is probably to low I do not reduce unless I am 0-1 my quality of life is important I need to stay active I don’t want another flare so reducing slower better to be the turtle than the hare but I realize not all Drs agree but we are all different and pmr has it’s own mind

Thank you for your reply, I find it very encouraging...will continue to swing the Orange stick and build up to hitting an 8 iron at the range...got customer golf in a month (better shake the stick)...😊.

@novabill I had osteoarthritis diagnosed in my knees shortly before the first onslaught of PMR. Since PMR I have gotten hyaluronic acid knee injections as needed for knee pain - about every 6-8 months. I go to my orthopedic surgeon for my osteoarthritis treatments.
I have chosen not to take oral steroids so I receive steroid injections for my hip pain from my rheumatologist. I receive hip injections every 4-6 months. I have had the knee and hip injections within two weeks of each other - and neither of the doctors have been concerned.
As Spring arrives I hope you find that you can enjoy golfing again.

Hope you dont mind a question. Do you think your swing speed was impacted much by PMR or prednisone? PMR hit me early this season and my swing speed has really declined? Although it could just be age--I'm 63.

Last time I was on prednisone for a flare up my drives
improved enough that my friends noticed.
Stay active and walk as much as tolerated to keep up your bone strength as well🏌️

I am a 77 yr male, caught PMR 6 mos ago. Prednizone tapering from 50 to 5 mg/day. I golf, ski and dive, but golf is the toughest as I get dizzy putting and cannot stay steady. It comes and goes during the round. Usually being hydrated well helps.

I feel lately like bubble boy with fluid retention and fatigue sets in. My muscle mass has deteriorated. My driving distance has degradated from 270 to 230 yards. I take at least one extra club due to strength loss. Anyone have ideas on improvement or combination with other meds to get off this nasty stuff? Tx.

Dizziness and fatigue can be symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. 5 mg of prednisone is right in the area where the adrenals start to become active again. It can take several weeks or months for the adrenal glands to recover. You will need to taper slowly and be patient as your adrenals start to become active again.

Absolutely swing speed affected, assuming you are connecting consistently in the club's sweet spot. I have reduced back swing to increase accuracy and make sure compressing ball. Shoulders ache somewhat so that reduces swing plane range. I hope with further tapering, more range of motion prevails. Still looking for alternatives, but hydrochlorothiazide, cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride or meloxicam do not seem to work for me. Prednizone is nasty stuff (but required I surmise)!