hi Mandy I also suffer and would love some support your welcome to stay in touch with me

Hi Mandy lillymaria,
I have been suffering for a year now, I have been on prednisone for about the same amount of time and though I have days I feel much better I have days where I am just miserable. I know exercise is suppose to help, but how do you exercise when you are in pain.

Glad I found this group wish there were more members but think the knowledge and support we can provide for each other could be very beneficial. My story is I'm a 51 year old male that takes fairly good care of himself. Last summer while on vacation my hips, knees, shoulders ,and arms became incredibly painful to the point I could barely walk. After spending several weeks in intense pain waiting to get in to see a Rheumatologist I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica. The prednisone dose immediately eased my pain thankfully and since that time my prednisone is being reduced monthly. I am currently taking 9 milligrams everyday and for the next nine months the plan is to reduce by one milligram. I still have discomfort at times in my shoulders and arms but I am doing so much better. Hoping as the meds are reduced the pain does not worsen. I am doing a lot of stretching, 4 days of 20 minute cardio on machines that are pretty non evasive to knees and hips .The stretching and the use of a hot tub and wet sauna at my fitness club seems to really help. If anyone is interested I would be glad to post the YouTube neck and shoulder stretching routine I am doing daily. I agree with some of the posts I've read on here in that we all look like we are totally healthy yet this is really a challenging condition to deal with physically and mentally at times. I hope to offer my support and gain knowledge and support from any others in the group. Lastly I think the key with this condition as with any Is to take a positive approach as hard as that might be and attack it every day to make yourself better.

I was not aware this PMR group existed, I found it years late, I had PMR for 3 years, was gone, as it came, overnight, they I had it again 4 years later, I only do meditation and self hypnosis.
My doctor is excellent, frustrated that I will not take medicines, but I have low tolerance for them, and can not take narcotics.
My blood count is checked, because with PMR one produce more white cells, inflammation affects the body so I see a cardiologist and every month my SED level is checked.
I have days that are less painful, others torture.
Hope you feel better.