Sharing ways to stop coping and start living!

I see the number of people on this site that are dealing with multiple things and it goes on for years. I suddenly feel grateful that my life is not that bad. No matter how bad you have it look at those that have it worse. That said my "bad times" were the 3 months without a diagnosis. Once I started steroids to treat it , I never looked back. I did not have any pain, I went back to the gym, I resumed my active lifestyle. The prednisone gave me a rush. I was 70 and full of life. Its pilled up a little since and some leftover prednisone issues but I kicked it. good luck.

stop coping and start living!……Kathleen, thx for asking…..
I am a 79yo female abt to be 80, loving life and very fortunate…..I live in SW, great weather to encourage outdoor activities. Live in an 8000 acre gated community with more ways to “live life to the fullest”, and lots of “playmates”. Sun, hike, bike golf, pool, fitness Ctr , great friends, and wonderful support group are my everyday blessings, and terrific hubby of 56 yrs.
How did I get here….
When at my lowest, my support group gave me hope and promise, and the view was and is always sunny. My physical savior is my trainer whose specialty is Movement Specialist. She uses her fingers and hands (not massage) to wake up the sleepy spots, TVT is the latest technique. In addition, weights, TRX, ball, everything that is my weight based. No machines. Lastly, after 3 months to diagnosis I met an orthopedic consultant (who has PMR) who sent me to Aqua PT….sure makes you feel like living. I was able to take those exercises to the club pool where I live.
BTW: my support group includes all of this fabulous group, too.
Yes, I might be numerically old, but my life far surpasses that of many people. I’m not looking for CCRC. I’m looking for the next new restaurant, bike trip, travel, game, whatever. Yes, living life to the fullest and proud of it. I am blessed and very fortunate.

@tweetypie13
PS: let me have my 2-3 hours of sun with exercise daily! Says it all

@tuckerp your story is nearly identical to mine, except it took 6 months to be diagnosed. Swimming saved me before diagnosis the. Prednisone worked and I was active again. Agree though that prednisone leaves a trail.

I was diagnosed with PMR last October! It has been a struggle and am on 60mg now due to side effects similar to GCA. I still am staying very active with yard work, mowing, fishing and stuff like that. I will say it is a daily struggle, with the prednisone I just want to lay down and sleep, so much fatigue and light headed. Staying busy helps and just understanding that this a should pass over time and things will improve. After daily activities and couple of beers on the patio are pretty tasty and helps relax me!

@tweetypie13
You are lucky to live in the land of continual sunshine and warmth… I live in the dreary Midwest where the winters are depressing and the cold goes through your bones. I envy your drive and energy but I’m sure your environment has a lot to do with your positive attitude.
As far as coping, I enjoy good eats, usually something simple that I’ve prepared, being with friends, and laughter, usually from old rerun comedies. A walk in the park and sitting on the porch in the sun on a rare occasion lifts my spirits.
PMR and the treatments that go with it definitely promote anxiety and depression. Doing the things that you enjoy will take your mind off of it, even if only momentarily. Looking forward to seeing the tulips and daffodils and getting out in the yard this spring.
Having my cataracts done on the 25th and 9th of April.
Going to be without kevzara for about 6 or 7 weeks. Fingers crossed I don’t have to resort to prednisone in the meantime.

@caroljeand with your attitude, you are a million times ahead of the curve.
Keep us posted…..🤞

I love this chain of comments because it is positive and helpful. I appreciate my afternoon break with a British mystery and knitting. I am grateful that PMR treated with a decreasing prednisone dose has not affected my hands!

@wynclute thanks! I have some hand pain sometimes but using my hands helps. Good for you, keeping yourself entertained and knitting things!

I know how you feel, I was given Gabapentin for which I was given for what I thought to be nerve pain but had good days and bad days but after 3 days of the Gabapentin it I believe ruined my life. I went into what I believe to be a full blown PMR attack and was crippled in extreme pain of my hips and shoulders on top of a severe herniated disc in my low back and now I have found out I have a GIST stromal tumor in the middle of my chest outside my esophagus. Like the PMR and back wasn’t bad enough.. and the worst part is they’ve never even had treatments for the PMR except for the steroids, and the only time the steroids seem to help was when I was in the middle of the flare after I got an injection at the Urgent care of a corticosteroid and it helped tremendously, but only lasted a few days. Other than that I have not been treated at all. I have been doing self treatment with Tylenol, arthritis and ibuprofen because I was never given anything to treat because I have not been diagnosed officially with the PMR and I’m still waiting to see the rheumatologist, but I have been taking turkey tail Rishi and lions mane mushroom tinctures, and staying away from all inflammatory oils/seed oils. And not eating any artificial processed sugars except some coconut sugar or organic non-GMO canine sugar but very limited of those mostly just Honey and hundred percent maple syrup.. put asked for every day living has been the biggest challenge of my life and I am worried I won’t be able to do my garden this year as I did not do it last year because of the fact I just did not feel well. I’m hoping to self medicate myself with natural treatments and the change in diet and it has seemed to help somewhat. My flair happened in November 2025 and still having the residual pain from the flare but haven’t been taking Tylenol arthritis and 800 mg ibuprofen three times a day and now I am taking it twice a day in the morning in the evening and once in a while, a Tylenol in the afternoon, depending on how I am feeling. Hopefully I can alleviate it completely but only time she’ll tell just trying to do everything natural so has not to cause myself more problems just like the gabapentin worst medicine I ever took in my life it destroyed my confidence in the medical system..