Polymyalgia rheumatica

My PMR started when I was 70 in 1971. I'd felt a bit stiff and achy for a month but one day I woke up and had trouble turning over in bed, then had to head-butt the light switch because I couldn't lift my hand. My GP diagnosed it from the symptoms and the blood test showed massively raised inflammation markers and I was put on pred right away. Within just a few days I could walk 6 miles. Steroids have that effect. However, my inflammation markers took years to go down to normal and I took my last pred tablet after 6 years. A helpful web site is www.pmrgcauk. Lots of advice from fellow sufferers.

KUPARI45- Im not even sure if it is Poly R as my blood tests came back negetive- but the GP said that this can happen!!
Im only 58 and I understand that Poly R is usual in people a little older. My arms and shoulders are painful all day- if im getting dressed, doing my hair, reaching for things and cannot put my arms anywhere near going up my back!!! Are these symptoms similar to what you had?

My Mum who is 85 had it twice. She also got prednisolone on a reducing dose according to her blood test results. Same as Kupari took about a year. Her skin thinned while on it and she got lots of bruises which still happen though she has been of it for over a year.

Yes I suffered with " Poly R" a few years ago.
I was prescribed quite a high dose of PREDNISOLONE. It helped ease the pain after a few days, however it took over a year before I could function without steriods. You have to reduce the dosage very very gradually, or the pain returns.

I haven't had it, but I know a lady in her early 80s who had it last year - she was fit, healthy, walked everywhere and did her garden, etc. Then she had a lot of pains and stiffness, which her GP said was Arthritis and that she should expect it at her age! The lady even struggled to get dressed each day.

I suggested she asked for a blood test to be done, which she did, and it was found to be Polymyalgia Rheumatica. She had a course of PREDNISOLONE (steroids) and was feely better after only a few days! The dosage was reduced gradually, over weeks, and she was back to her old self. Good luck.