Newly diagnosed PMR, still in shock - fighting it, sharing, learning

Comes on fast as you know. 3 weeks ago thought I tweaked left hamstring and knee. Adjusted exercises - more, less, different, etc. (had to be something I did right?). A few nights later struggled to undress before bed, couldn't lower myself to the toilet by morning. It took a deep dive from there. Affects both shoulders and up through neck and clavicles, upper arms; back of knees and thighs and glutes, sides of hips, and oddly both thumbs.

68 y/o female, excellent health, fit, all natural eating. (Yes, Scandinavian descent) Lost many family members young to cancer (including both parents) so been on a health journey most of my life. PMR didn't care.

Got in quickly to Primary doc. Did bloodwork - ruled out stuff, CRP raised. Put in referral to Rheumatologist. Lucky to get a cancelled opening in 2 days even though far away. By appt. day I could hardly function without help from and holding onto my husband. Debilitating pain - level 8. Could knock it down a bit with ibuprofen.

Got on 20mg prednisone that afternoon. Felt great after a few hours - about level 2 pain. Took it next morning. Fine till the monster started the slow gripping take-over by evening, which built overnight. Woke up to level 6 pain. This went on for 8 days.

Every morning spent waiting for Pred to kick in to be able to move and function for about 8 hours. Finally realized after reading in here I should not still have that much pain. Doc added addl. 10mg Prednisone for evening - started last night. Wow. Game changer. Wish I had known.

After yesterday taking 30, woke up this morning with level 2 pain that dropped to a 1 through the day. Can't imagine any side effect Prednisone could have worse than that pain. I have nothing but praise for it. And how did our ancestors make it through this horrifying "pain disease" none of us had ever even heard of, without Prednisone?

I'm reading and learning from you all. Made a mattress topper for my side of bed out of a folded queen size feather/down duvet. Helps cushion body so much. Added a nest of pillows for knees and arms.

Didn't cry today for first time since this dropped on me. Still getting head around this is real. But - it's not cancer, it's not doing permanent damage (like RA does), it's not many many things worse. And it's treatable and curable. Have to focus on the positives.

Counting the days till I start tapering. This forum has been supportive and helpful. It's a lonely journey. Hard for others to understand and sympathize with excruciating pain unless you've lived it.