Age of Affected

Hi Pota!

I am male and 70. During the past two years we have had the discussion of age a few times. Only a year ago, most medical sites mentioned 60 as the lowest age, but (maybe through this board) now most mentioin 50 +, so there has been a change

netdoctor.co.uk says   It affects around 4 per 1000 people over the age of 50 but is rare under this age. The peak age PMR occurs tends to be between 40 and 59. Symptoms can start abruptly, or can come on over a week or two.

clevelandclinic.org says   People over 50 years old are typically affected with PMR and GCA. The average age of patients is 74. One-third of patients with GCA also have PMR.

medicinenet.com says   Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica are typically over the age of 50 years.   

There have also been people much younger on the board or similar boards. If you have pmr, prednisone will give you fast relief and usually with the relief, you know that you have pmr. You have to be patient when reducing the dosage and when you have your diagnosis you should study what has been said here about taperinbg too fast.

Ragnar

Welcome, Pota.  As the data Ragnar and Pgr555 discuss, the age at which PMR starts probably resembles a bell curve.  The peak of that curve is unsure, but as with any bell curve, there are possiblilities way beyond the peak (in either direction) that PMR can be encountered.  In other words, it's possible that someone even in their 30's or 40's could be so diagnosed, and also possible that someone in their 80's or 90's could be.

    Your doctor can pretty well diagnose PMR with the prednisone test.  If no relief after several days on 15 to 20 mg, she can start looking elsewhere. But it sure sounds like you'll be in the same boat with us.  Good luck!

Hi Porta,

Glad to meet you, but wish it were on a poker forum instead of finding another who very well could have PMR.

I'm 52, diagnosed with PMR and GCA. Symptoms for PMR started when I was 51, but advanced to the symptoms you are describing.  I would get tangled in my bedsheets, and had difficulty putting on a shirt or jacket.

Sedrate was high 83.  Relief from Medrol (pred) within three days of starting medication. Age should not be a reference.  Not all of our bodies read the literature on a disease that is still be researched and studied.  Not all of our bodies are alike and respond the same way to medication or medical treatments.

Please hook up with a rheumatologist and ask your doctor to try you on predisone before nixing the idea you have PMR.  Why have to continue on with these severe symptoms for longer than necessary.

There are no-cure-all's for this disease, but it should be at least manageable.  Some have symptom's worse than other's but we can come here to the forum to run ideas past each other, and look for support when we are not feeling our best. 

Bob, did you assign him a place to sit on our water craft? Hope your doctor becomes more open minded about your diagnosis.  If not, find  doctor who will listen to you.

Donna, NY

Marianne,  You've made a great point.  There are too many doctors who think it's all mental.  I'd like for some on them to feel the same pain we experienced before the relief of prednisone and see how mental they think it is now.

As for you, pgr555 (can't you give us a name that doesn't sound like a robot on Star Wars?) Never think of turning the whip on the Captain (even if he is self-appointed).  That's a hanging offense!  But as long as you stay gentle and loving, what the hell?

And if Pota qualifies for our boat, I'll reassign him as assistant navigator to Ragnar.