I’m just wondering how old most of you are with PMR

I'm 75 and was recently diagnosed.

I was 54 when I had first symptoms and officially diagnosed a few months later. I had a PET scan to confirm diagnosis. Yes that’s young for pmr but it can definitely happen at that age. I would try to see a specialist (Rheumatologist) if at all possible. GPs don’t generally have all the answers as this is a difficult autoimmune disease to treat. Hope you find the right Dr and treatment.

Like you, I was 55 and worked shift work, I am now 64. I can’t get below 4 mg of Pred before relapsing. I feel you brother.

I was 52 when PMR was diagnosed and treated with Prednisone for 12 years. PMR never went into remission during the 12 years I was on Prednisone. I'm officially diagnosed with multiple autoimmune disorders and PMR was the last one to be diagnosed.

My employer suggested that I apply for "disability" at the age of 62 instead of "retiring." My "early retirement age" was 62 so it didn't really matter if my disability claim was denied. I was declared 100% disabled retroactive to 12 months before my application date. The Social Security Administration said, based on my medical records, I was disabled sooner but 12 months prior to my application date was as far back as they could go.

My "full retirement age" was 65 and that was when my disability stopped and I was officially retired. I was on Actemra (tocilizumab) at 65 to treat PMR and that was when I tapered off prednisone.

Actemra seems to work for all my autoimmune conditions. I was feeling so well that I considered going back to work at 65 instead of retiring. Now I'm almost 71 and still retired but I haven't needed any Prednisone in about 5 years. PMR is still being treated with Actemra instead of Prednisone.

I'm sorry you developed PMR at a young age. I was 69 when I developed PMR, and 70 when I developed GCA. I was on 60 mg prednisone for 6 weeks, and have tapered down to 4 over the past 8 months. I have been taking Actemra for the past 9 months. Actemra and Kevzara are similar biologics for controlling inflammation.

Hopefully the Kevzara will help you taper off of the prednisone fairly quickly. I just googled how long it takes for Kevzara to have full effect, and it said some relief in 2 weeks but full effect in about 3 months.

I was somewhat younger but similar in age and time on prednisone. My rheumatologist said I was "too young" to take prednisone for the rest of my life. I was still on 10 mg and couldn't get below 7 mg without a relapse.

In any case, you might be a candidate for Kevzara.

I’m a 68 year old male diagnosed 8 moths ok, taking prednisone. At 30 ms felt better slowly got off the drug, pain came back. Now back on 10 ms 2 days ago, when I have a flare it is horrible. Can not figure out triggers. One for sure is if I do to much activity one day, the next is horrible. Blood work appears inconsistent to me. I also have neuropathy and recent back surgery.

I’m 78-diagnosed at 77. Started prednisone at 15 mg and now tapering back and forth between 7 & 8. Tried going down to 7 four different times and within days had to go back to 8. I also have peripheral neuropathy which I have had for 25+ years. Episodes of pain and tingling in feet come and go- but very different pain which only lasts for a few hours with ice packs as my friend.
PMR gives me good days and painful days. If I over exert on those good days I pay for it several days after.
Side effects of steroids have caused prediabetic condition so now on Metformin. This site is helpful- knowing I’m not alone in this journey.

I was diagnosed, finally, with PMR & GCA at about 64. Eventually I went through 15 months of prednisone, slowly tapering off. One month later the pain was back. Found a good rheumatologist who has me on methotrexate. It works! Slowly trying to taper down on that as well. Very slowly as lower doses are definitely not as effective. My advice keep looking for a better doc who specializes.

Methotrexate works for some people. Just don't let anyone tell you it doesn't work because it didn't work for them. The research supports that it is effective for some people. Just because it doesn't work for everyone doesn't mean it won't work for some people.

I'm happy methotrexate is working for you!!

I think methotrexate was working for me when I tried it. I was able to decrease my Prednisone dose as my methotrexate dose was increased. I was on methotrexate for more than a year until it was stopped.

My liver didn't like the increased doses of methotrexate. I started feeling sick but my rheumatologist didn't want me to stop taking methotrexate. She said I shouldn't be sick because my liver enzymes were not too high. She convinced me to try methotrexate again but I had aversion to it so I didn't take it very long the second time.