Taking steroids for (maybe) PMR

Quick update: I saw my primary care doc Friday, and he prescribed prednisone for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). My eye doc talked with me on Monday about that possibly being what is causing my pain. My primary doc agrees and prescribed the prednisone. I'll see him again on Wednesday to see how it's going. Some people have almost immediate relief with the steroids.

I have some relief but do still have pain. I'm hoping complete relief comes soon. I'm not excited about being on steroids for long term—but if they make me mobile and not in so much pain, I'll sure try to tolerate them.

Here's what the Mayo Clinic page says about PMR:

Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory condition. It causes joint and muscle pain and stiffness, mainly in the shoulders and hips. Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (pol-e-my-AL-juh rue-MAT-ih-kuh) may begin quickly or come on over several days to weeks. Symptoms are most often worse in the morning.

Most people who get polymyalgia rheumatica are older than 65. It rarely affects people younger than 50.

This condition is related to another inflammatory condition called giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis can cause headaches, vision troubles, jaw pain and scalp tenderness. Some people have polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.

The symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica most often affect both sides of the body. They might include:

• Aches or pain in the shoulders.

• Aches or pain in the neck, upper arms, buttocks, hips or thighs.

• Stiffness in affected areas, mainly in the morning or after not being active for a time.

• Less range of motion in affected areas.

• Pain or stiffness in the wrists, elbows or knees.

Other symptoms might include:

• Mild fever.

• Tiredness.

• A feeling of not being well, called malaise.

• Not wanting to eat.

• Weight loss that happens without trying.

• Being depressed.

I have pretty much all of these symptoms. The worst symptoms came on in a few days in April. I don't have the symptoms of giant cell arteritis. And hope I don't develop them!

The CT and MRI scans this week are to rule out cancer recurrence or other problems. PMR is one of those diseases that you figure out by elimination rather than a test that says "yes, you have this."

I appreciate your prayers and/or good vibes this week for the scans and for me to tolerate the steroids better—and for the PMR symptoms to mostly go away! The steroids make me feel jumpy for a while after each dose. It's very uncomfortable. So far. Maybe I'll develop some tolerance soon.

Anyhow I think I've gone beyond "quick update" so I'll sign off for tonight. Thanks for your support and good vibes!