Are there people here who are over PMR? | Arthritis Information

 

Just wondering if there are any women here who have been through pmr.  How long did it last? What did u use to combat the pain and inflammation? How are your bone density tests since?I am for the most part over pmr. My inflammation markers are normal. I still have some discomfort at times but it does not keep me from doing anything I want. I have some upper back discomfort and sometimes I feel a bit stiff but i ride my bike, swim, go on vacations, walk, etc. You can go back and read all my posts for the gory details. In a nutshell - I got off the pred after a few months and just toughed it out. Went for natural things to make my body stronger to fight this thing. I figured that was the way to go since the drugs only mask the pain not cure you. I ditched the pred because i was in my early 50s, in good health otherwise, and wanted to get over this as relatively unscathed as possible. If I was in my 70s or 80s I would take the pred for sure.  My bone density was not that great before the pmr hit. I am hoping for a better result this year since i am walking and exercising again. I have not taken any meds (I was getting by on nsaids) since last May of 2008. I have taken a couple of advil when my back was bothering me. That is about it for the meds. But I do take supplements and will be taken some probably forever like the fish oils and such.  My two year mark will be this October and I am hoping I will have zero remnants of this thing by then.Oh - to read my old posts - just click on my user name and you can see the option for reading my posts..then when you choose the time period you want to access - pick "any" - that will get you to the very begining of the whole shebang. I just logged in to see how the forum was going.   I got PMR in August of 2006 and finally went to a rheumatologist in Dec. 2006 and could only take prednisone or Methotrexate for six months.  By then I didn't have too much pain.  When I quit taking it, about half the pain came back and I used NSAIDs.

I was diagnosed in September of 2007 and by October of 2008 my numbers were normal and was told I was in remission.  I have blood work about every 6 months, bone scans, etc. and everything is always normal.  I never went higher than 5mg a day of pred....sometimes I just toughed it out and when I felt I could I would reduce the pred until I felt I could do without.  I'm active and pretty much back to normal.  I did notice that my muscles in my upper arms atrophied somewhat, but am pushing weights around the gym again and feeling stronger.  I have a trip planned in September for Maui and a cruise in March of 2010.  I'm not on any meds, but continue to take my vitamins and fish oil.  There are times, especially in the morning that I'm a little stiff, but it passes quickly.  I, like Smartee believe that the less medication we take the better off we are. I am very curious as to what side effects are with 5mg of prednisone.  Does the puffiness appear that I hear about?  And...is the puffiness and weight gain due to the drug itself, or people eating more due to munchies??  From what I've read and understand PMR to be, yes, it can come back.  I wonder if we ever completely recover.  I have found that I injure myself more easily since having this disease.  Prehaps this is do to the time that we were unable to use our muscles and like I said in my previous message, "my upper body atrophied".  I started a weight routine using light weights and I injured my scapula.  I began an exercise program last year and sprained my knee with a possible tear (had an MRI).....still haven't recovered fully and need a brace when I walk my dog.  Hi, there pretty lady and others,

My docs have also said that PMR is the best sort of rheumatism to have, and that it will go away, but your question is a very good one!

I'm new here and am pleased to find a place to share experiences and information.  I'm 'only' in my fifties and have had pains since 2004, was properly diagnosed in 2006.  I'm now down to around 8mg predni, and had to stop taking methotraxate because of liver problems (this was only a few weeks ago - hope the next blood test says I'm ok again.)

I should also be below 7,5mg to avoid side effects, but am not as brave as some of you ladies - if it hurts, I swallow the predni!  I have a full time job and  can't afford to be seen limping and groaning.  I admit it's hard to remember just how bad it hurt before I was treated, but I know I had to concentrate hard on not pulling a face or even stumbling when heaving myself out of a chair!  I also had three ways of walking, depending on who was around!  A fast limp for when I was on my own (my feet also used to hurt - does anyone have that?); a slightly slower walk with regular clop-clopping of heels if anyone was anywhere within earshot, but still apparent limp for anyone watching; and an even slower regular walk for boss-types within my line of vision to avoid being labelled a cripple!  Thank goodness that's not so bad any more!

I also had some bad headaches which were assumed to be giant cell arteriitis, though no-one has done a biopsy.  I have upped my predni dose on a couple of occasions because of headaches, because the thought of blindness, etc. is really frightening.

Any more stories of what I might expect in the future would be very interesting for me. 

Best regards,
C.
Candle

visit www:pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk   - plenty stories and info  - but keep on coming back here as none of us know it all.


I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah the other day and he gave a list of things every one should take. One of those things was two baby asprin a day. Well, I had some baby asprin so i took just one. I was amazed that the discomfort in my upper back and in my sternum area was greatly diminished. I have taken one every day the last several days. I can hardly feel any discomfort at all. Amazing. Thanks for the tip, Mrs UK - very interesting!

I brought goggles to my regular pool routine. I have not been able to swim freestyle in over a year. I just gave it a try and could not believe that I could do it...with no trouble. Recovery is slow but certainly steady. The baby aspirin i have been taking have really helped. I dont have hardly any problem with my upper back anymore. ANd i dont have to take them every day... A year ago when my knees looked like oranges and I was going to my doctor appointments in my pajamas I never thought I would ever be the same again.

Here are some things i have found to be helpful for me. Do your own research and see if they may help you. I have found that online ordering is much cheaper. I use www.Vitacost.com a lot for supplements and also www.essenceoforganics.com for new chapter products. Use code nc1 and you get a further discount on new chapter.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com