Hi all! I posted on another thread but decided to start a new one. I'm 37 and have been diagnosed with PMR. I've been told many times that I'm too young, but I have text book symptoms. I think because of my age, the pain and stiffness aren't as bad as others have, but it is very annoying. I've been suffering with the temporal pain and I'm assuming it's the Large Cell arthritis that accompanies the PMR. I see my Dr. tomorrow and I'm sure he'll want to put me on Prednisone full time. I did take a high dose for a week and it took all pain away.
The worse thing for me is not feeling well. I feel weak, I have no energy and I feel nauseous on and off.
If you check out one of hopalong's posts, Vitamin D is prescribed for calcium absorption, and mood elevation. Sorry to hear about your problem occurring at such an early age. My doctor recommende 800 units of Vitamin D daily. Hopalong seems to be taking a much higher dosage...I know you can overdose on Vitamin D, so I'm not sure what the safe limit is...the pharmacist I spoke with Saturday said I shouldn't go over 800 units per day. I just got diagnosed with PMR a couple of weeks ago, and although I'm 20 years older than you...I still am quite active, and I've found this to be a real drag, literally.
I've had no problem with fatigue - just the stiffness, muscle & joint pain prior to starting medication. Since I started the prednisone, I've actually felt more energetic and been more active than since I can remember. It's been 5 weeks now, the past approx 4 at 15 mg/day (10 am, 5 pm), I feel a little stiffness in my hamstrings now and then, but am mostly symptom free, so I'm now attempting to reduce the dose. I just hope I don't lose my new energy and feeling of well being. (Or maybe it's just the springtime!)
I've also been taking a nutritional supplement (anti-inflammatory) called Recovery for about the same length of time (www.recoverymedicine.com) - I have no idea if that's what makes me feel as good as I do, or the prednisone, or the weather ... but I feel fortunate to be enjoying every day as much as I do, as I'm aware that not everyone has had such good results.
One thing I have noticed, tho, is that I get cramps in my feet and calves more often than I used to - primarily during the night. Anyone else have that happen?
Through tests, research and talking with my Dr. we've discovered many of my symptoms come from the Large Cell Artheritis that i suffer with along with PMR. I'm on Prednisone 25 mg once a day right now, which has eliminated the temporal pain, but I do still have some breakthrough pain in my thighs and shoulders. I do feel much better on the Prednisone though which I'm thankful for, but it also scares me. I hate the thought of blowing up like a pumpkin. I started walking 7 years ago and lost 25 lbs, which I have maintained. Hate to think after all that work I'm going to gain weight!