Diagnosed with PMR 2 1/2 years ago. How do I manage the extreme pain?

After tapering down to 6 mg daily of Prednisone and doing quite well (for 10 months) all of a sudden my fingers are very stiff. Toes and left foot are stiff with pain and seem to be swollen. Wrists exhibit slight swelling also though not particularly painful. Is this PMR?

thanks -- Dr has ordered a uric acid level -- I have had VERY infrequent episodes of gout -- this is not like what I had in the past. So difficult to sort out the varying symptoms that do come and go. As long as I am able to be OK I would prefer not increasing the Prednisone as I would have to begin decreasing again...... The stiffness in my fingers began 3 days post flu vaccine -- then it was only slight stiffness and I was able to use my hands. The INCREASED stiffness in the fingers was rather sudden -- now 3 months following
the vaccine. I will try the liquid tumeric -- is it available in a pharmacy or health food store?

I usually get the liquid turmeric on amazon.com but I've seen at at Costco and other retailers. Here's the one I buy from amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079T64N8K/

I was diagnosed with PMR in early 2007 and was on prednisone (20 mg daily) for 3 years until I was finally able to get off of it gradually in 2010 when my PMR went into remission. Prednisone was a magic pill but it does have some side effects - the only one that bothered me was the weight gain. I think it increases your appetite. Unfortunately my PMR reared it's ugly head again about three weeks ago so I recently started back on prednisone. I do think diet may play an important part of autoimmune diseases after reading a book - Wahls Protocol by Dr. Terry Wahls. http://terrywahls.com/about/about-terry-wahls/. I just try to stay close to the basic part of the diet - no gluten, no dairy, no sugar or processed foods. I do fudge a little but I figure any reduction of the gluten, sugar and processed foods is better for you. I'm also dealing with small fiber peripheral neuropathy which was diagnosed in March but I've had more than 15+ years just never bothered to get it diagnosed because I was always told if they find you have nerve damage there's nothing they can do about it. This has been an interesting year and the one thing I have learned is you have to be your own advocate and while there may be no one thing that helps with your symptoms you just need to keep looking at finding something that will work of you. Hoping you are able to get your PMR under control as I know how much it hurts. Good luck!

Hi@johnbishop! Are you still on the Dr. Terry Wahls diet? Do you believe it helped to control your PMR? Thanks!

Hi @igolf, I don't really follow a specific diet anymore but her Wahls Protocol book was what got me to start eating healthier. I do think diet plays a major part in controlling my PMR and helping my immune system. Probably the biggest change I've made is mostly eliminating fast foods and sugar but I'm not perfect with the sugar but I'm way better than a few years ago. At the end of last month I started an intermittent fasting plan to lose some more weight. I've been between 240 and 250 going back and forth for quite a few years and set a new goal for 215 once I learned a little more about intermittent fasting. Basically eat your 3 squares one day and the next day skip breakfast and lunch but eat dinner which gives you more than 16 hours between meals. The first fasting day I did the full day but don't think it's really needed after learning more from reading. Great new source I've discovered is @LeeAase's health blog which he has links to some great information that helps you understand how the body stores and burns fat (my words 🙂 ). Here's a link to his blog if you are interested -- https://social-media-university-global.org/my-health-journey/

Hi @igolf, I don't really follow a specific diet anymore but her Wahls Protocol book was what got me to start eating healthier. I do think diet plays a major part in controlling my PMR and helping my immune system. Probably the biggest change I've made is mostly eliminating fast foods and sugar but I'm not perfect with the sugar but I'm way better than a few years ago. At the end of last month I started an intermittent fasting plan to lose some more weight. I've been between 240 and 250 going back and forth for quite a few years and set a new goal for 215 once I learned a little more about intermittent fasting. Basically eat your 3 squares one day and the next day skip breakfast and lunch but eat dinner which gives you more than 16 hours between meals. The first fasting day I did the full day but don't think it's really needed after learning more from reading. Great new source I've discovered is @LeeAase's health blog which he has links to some great information that helps you understand how the body stores and burns fat (my words 🙂 ). Here's a link to his blog if you are interested -- https://social-media-university-global.org/my-health-journey/

Hi John, thanks for the articles...read both. Hopefully, the 5yr-old one will have changed somewhat!! Yes, I will update you after doc appt. I find one side of body is better, but the lhs, and I’m left handed, stays quite painful and stiff until late afternoon. Am still on 20 mg prednisone and will continue until I next see the doc. Am now taking prednisone at 5:30ish a.m. so as to get relief earlier in the day!

Hello, John...I wrote to you today, but don’t know if I did it correctly...am trying again after reading the above. This last month, and I was going down from 5mg to 0...presently at 2mg, I have been having severe pain in my hands, incl fingers, wrists, neck and L shoulder. Rheumy put me up to 20mg, starting today, but for only one week to see what happens!! Is it possible for the pain to lessen by the afternoon? Would really appreciate your advice once again. Trust the PMR is staying away from you, especially with this dreadful C-19. Many thanks, Eileen

Hello @asklizzie, Welcome to Connect. Yes, there are a lot of us members who struggle with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I have had 2 occurrences of PMR myself but it is currently in remission and has been for almost 2 years. My treatment for both occurrences was started at 20 mg prednisone. The first time it took me 3 years to taper off. The second time it took about a year and a half.

Have you been newly diagnosed with PMR?