I am new to this site and diagnosed with PMR in March 2013 (56 yrs old and female). Down to 15 mg predn.,

[Tsnan]

but still in a lot of discomfort daily. Seeing the Rheumyin 2 weeks. What is the best exercise for PMR? I use to walk 3-4 miles every morning and place tennis 3-4 x/week with some light weights in between. Now simple swimming but still discomfort. Any recommendations? Need the exercise for mental health and weight control. Thanks for the information.

[Hidden]

I would suggest walking is a good exercise. Just do what you can but don't overdo it. I think that sufferers need to balance exercise with rest and relaxation. Avoid stress as much as you are able. I would also advise avoiding strenuous exercise, heavy lifting or anything very repetitive for long periods.

Fortunately I do not have a weight problem but I think that you are right to say that exercise makes one feel better.

I notice that you have reduced down to 15mg. One of the points made by many sufferers is the need to reduce slowly. I started at 15mg for 2 months until the blood tests were normal and then went 12.5 for a month and 10 for 6 weeks. After that the reductions recommended are 1mg at a time. I found that I always seemed to have more discomfort for a couple of weeks after each drop but then feel better.

Hope you feel better soon.

[pennyw Administrator PMRGCAuk team member]

Do make the reductions slowly Tsnan as PatM says. Everyone is different but I found going down by 1mg was too much so reducing by 1/2mg every four weeks. Will take long time to get off pred but I don't want any flare ups!

I do beginners Tai Chi. It is very gentle and during the lesson I wonder if it is too gentle. However I can tell I have done it afterwards and feel much better for it. I also take my granddaughter to TumbleTots and getting up and down on the floor with her is good exercise I am sure!

If you find you are putting on weight don't leave it like I did until you have put on three stones! I have now cut out all anti-inflammatory foods - drastic but it is working for me. I've lost just over a stone in under six weeks.

Good luck with conquering the PMR

[iforget in reply to pennyw]

I would love to know what foods you have cut form your diet that have resulted in your weight loss. I have gained 12 lbs since being on pred and while the nurse and doc seem to think this is okay, I definitely do not and really would love to fight back on the weight gain issue.

Thanks

[steph1]

hi pennyw what are anti-inflammatory foods its just since I started steroids last July ive put on 3st and that is making me fed up aswell .

Steph

[Carris]

Hi Tsnan....sounds like you are really an active person...I was diagnosed with PMR in Nov of 2012 and am 64 yrs of age....Down to 5 mg Predn. but reduced 1 mg for about four wks, then down another mg for about 4 wks...yes every morning i know Polly is still with me, i take 1/2 Aleeve a day for pain....I usually work out with heavy weights once a week, run 3 miles once a week, plus walk, plus do a lot of yard work....I as still standing...good luck....Carris from the States

[bluespot]

Hi Tsnan, My PMR came back this year coupled with GCA/TA so at the moment I'm on 60mg/day (72yrs and male). Fortunately I can still play golf, after a fashion, so try and get out on the course three time a week. At the weekend I go for a long walk in the countryside, making sure there is a pub along the way. I've been reading about others having flair ups and I really feel for them, I think I've been very lucky though because even when I first had PMR, 2009/2012 (15mg down to 1mg when I stopped,) apart from the very early days before I was diagnosed with PMR I never did but now with its return who knows, I was never into weights but love to get out and just walk.

Good luck to you

[Hidden]

Hi Tsnan,

What a very active person you have been - I was too until one morning I could't get out of bed.

Prednisolone is a great anti inflammitory, but it can damage not only the skin, but also the soft tissues around the joints, so we must be careful not to stress our joints out too much.

Walking as briskly as you can and static bicycling are both good forms of cardio-vascular exercise and will not harm your joints.

A good diet with no refined carbs and definately no added sugar or salt (both will blow your body up like a balloon) will help keep the weight off.

I drink lots of water - the sparkling type as I don't like still water. It's great for flushing the 'baddies' out of our system.

Get lots of rest, especially if you're not sleeping too well at night. Don't feel guilty about putting your feet up during the day. You've got to spoil yourself now and if there are any raised eyebrows because you look soooo well! Ignore them!

Good luck,

Pats.

P.S. a glass of 'red' at night can help if you like wine.

[Tsnan]

Thank you everyone for all of your replies. I truly appreciate it. I have been trying to stay on an anti-inflammatory diet as well.