Remember me?

[Theziggy]

Yip, it's me again. Long time no posts!

Short story is that having to stop running through debilitating pains in various random parts of my body in March, I was finally diagnosed by a rheumatologist in late June with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (no known cause, no cure - only treatment is steroids - long-term steroids)

However, steroids seem to have slowly calmed the pains and last month I was able to do a lot of walking without any repercussions (too much exercise can set my condition off again). So today I am going to hit the treadmill at the gym and am wondering where to start again - I am thinking maybe week 3 or week 4, and if things start hurting I can stop (and I won't be a mile from home or the car - that is the reason for starting with the treadmill)

I have been volunteering quite often at my local Park run too, but it was making me feel quite sad watching all the runners whilst not being able to join them. I even stopped reading this forum for the same reason (sadness), also because the forum is getting that many posts every day it was taking soooooo long to read them all.

So, I will let you know how I get on this morning. Laters.

[MandiV]

Good luck and hope the treadmill treats you kindly

[quirkybee Graduate]

Yes, I remember you lovely. That's sad that you've been having these pains and set back, but that's so good and relief for that you now have a diagnosis and can work toward making things better for you and with less pain in your joints. I often ask the question, why do these ailments come upon us, eh? It is life, but all the same, sometimes we can't take it all.

Anyway, wishing you well and wishing you a good start with the treadmill and that you can slowly build yourself up again to a level that won't cause you any distress or pain 😊 xx

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Hi Ziggy, great to see you here again, wondered how you got on with the consultant. At least you've got a diagnosis now and you know where you are.

You're an experienced runner so all that fitness and strength will stand you in great stead now. You know your body best so go for it and, as you say, you can stop if you need to. The treadmill is softer on joints so it's a wise decision.

I know what you mean about the size of the forum now. It's impossible to read every post, just pick 'n choose.

Take care and let us know how the run goes x

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Oh, nice to hear from you O'Highness (bows deeply). Are you keeping well?

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

Very well thanks Ziggy. Curtsey looks good 🙂

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

I've been practising

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Hi Ziggy hope your run went well. Nice to see you back with us and hope you continue to manage your condition but still run....😊x

[Theziggy Graduate]

Thanks for the well wishes folks.

I decided to go for week 3. It went OK, the 3 minute runs seemed very long - I know it has been over 4 months but....... I took it very gentle - 8.5 Kmph.

After the run I felt a little niggle of pain in the main place where I get pain, so a bit miffed about that but ....... it is only a little niggle.

I do know from the Polymyalgia Rhuematica (also known as PMR for brevity) that hardly anybody does run with the condition so am just dipping my toe in the water so to speak,. I won't get back to the treadmill, because of life and lack of access to the gym's treadmill until next Thursday so I am considering going to Parkrun this Saturday and doing week 3 with a wee bit more added on, and, as it is a 3 lap course I can quit if I get pain.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

Fingers crossed for you 👍 (Can't find a fingers crossed emoji)

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Here you go, princess 🤞🏻 and one from me too 🤞🏻

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

Thanks for the thought but there's nothing there but little boxes! I've got them on my phone but not on the ipad and I mostly use the iPad. Annoying!

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Ah well - I tried!

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

It seems that a lot of emoticons are designed for phones and tablets ( and dependent on the emoticon and platform e.g. android or apple) and only show as squares on anything else. I saw one crossed finger and a square (twice) in the answer from Equi-greek to you but in this conversation I just see 4 boxes.

Go figure

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Hello, I remember you. Welcome back! 😄

I’m sorry you have been having such a hard and frustrating time with your health. All fingers and toes crossed for things going well now! Go very gently, I have come to the conclusion, ( when clambering off the IC) that some running, even if it is limited, is better than no running. 😄

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

You are soooo right Elfe5

[Hidden]

Hey welcome back Ziggy! It’s good you are getting sorted out with you pains with a proper diagnosis. Yes treadmill is a good option too.

But please don’t stop reading the forum and carry on posting as we love to hear from you👏👏😀😀

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

Fingers crossed for you! 🤞 welcome back 🤗

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Welcome back, Ziggy. I'm glad you have a diagnosis although sorry it's not a better one - but good on you for keeping running. Best of luck with it all, and keep posting

[Theziggy Graduate]

Thanks Anniemurph , though one week 3 run is all I have managed so far and I was a bit sore today, but am thinking of going walk/run Parkrun tomorrow and of it hurts I stop and go home. How is your running going?

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

Hope Parkrun went well? Walk/run is a great idea.

My running... was great last year, and pretty rubbish this year! But getting back out there and plodding along so that will do, thank you

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to Anniemurph]

Well the walk/run is just week 3 Anniemurph

[ccarter100]

Remember - slow, slow, slow. Good luck.

[Theziggy Graduate in reply to ccarter100]

Yip, the Parkrun crowd seemed to pull me round at the start faster than I would have liked, but then when my first walking period kicked in it separated me from the pack - though after the first Km there are 3 laps of a 1Km pitch so you get passed a lot by runners and are tempted to go a wee bit quicker lol