Polymyalgia rheumatica: Any thoughts on my taper plan?

Thank you for these insights! I am in the early stage of trying to navigate if this is PMR or a muscle injury in my hips and hamstrings. I have a follow up with my GP this Friday and I am going to ask about running additional inflammatory labs and ask for SAA since my sed rate and c reactive protein are normal. And ask about trying a course of prednisone now, or wait. How would you describe the pain of PMR? Sorry if that is a silly question! Does exercise make it feel better? Or worse? Thank you!

I actually had to be wheeled in to my doctor's Day Call (its like the Urgent Care practice in the very big Internal Medicone clinic I go to) because of what Id thought were acute injuries due to overdoing my hiking. Xrays were mostly normal. To my IM Dr, who ordered sed rate and CRP - normal. A month later I saw an orthopedist/sports medicine dr. He thought it was rheumatoid as did my IM dr. Ordered a repeat on Sed rate and CRP. Told me to prepare to meet a rheumatologist in my future. Got back to my IM Dr and my labs were now abnormal, so hallelujah- referral to rheumatologist who diagnosed PMR.
I usually described my pain as "aching", it is a dull pain that varies considerably in intensity.

Thank you for these insights! I am in the early stage of trying to navigate if this is PMR or a muscle injury in my hips and hamstrings. I have a follow up with my GP this Friday and I am going to ask about running additional inflammatory labs and ask for SAA since my sed rate and c reactive protein are normal. And ask about trying a course of prednisone now, or wait. How would you describe the pain of PMR? Sorry if that is a silly question! Does exercise make it feel better? Or worse? Thank you!

In the initial onset of this crazy thing PMR, nothing helps! Throbbing muscles, shoulder and hip stiffness. Neck so tight I couldn’t move my head. No sleep. Confusing and frightening. The quick referral to the RA doctor was such a relief. Prednisone helped immediately! Still tapering and started Kevzara. Back to daily walks, swimming, and bike rides within 3 months of onset. Physical therapy has helped a lot too. 8 sessions so far. Hang in there!

Thank you for those insights. My doctor is going to retest the sed rate and CRP on Friday., and probably run some more tests. Between your test times had your symptoms gotten worse, better or stayed the same? I would suspect if your inflammatory labs went up that your symptoms were persisting.
I am slightly better after this week’s PT, she did the dry needling in my piriformis muscles but still very sore in glutes. Still far from where I want to be. I am taking Advil daily for now.

Once I got on Prednisone my Sed rate and C reactive protein were excellent. I am currently on 2 1/4 mg of Prednisone down from 30 mg. Close to two years now. Little twinges but hardly any pain. Best of luck to you, my friend.

In my experience with PMR you it hits you quickly and hard. You’re not tired, you’re exhausted, you don’t have a little pain, you hurt all over, you can barely get out of bed, and someone has to put your socks on for you. Prednisone with all its downsides was a savior for me.

Yes, my Sed rate was 55 and C reactive protein was over 8.00. Best of luck to you.

I have PMR and GCA. Before treatment I remember lying in bed at night trying to decide if it was worth the pain to turn over to get into a more comfortable position. I also had a lot of trouble putting on socks and also shirts and jackets due to shoulder pain. Driving was difficult too, because of my stiff neck. Since I started treatment (prednisone plus Actemra a little later), I haven't had any pain or stiffness at all.