New

[SherryAnnie]

I am new to this site and wonder if it will be any hgelp to me as I have pmrgca

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi SherryAnnie,

Welcome! You certainly have come to the right site. Most of the people on here are still going through the traumas of GCA or PMR, or both. The are also lots of people who have come through it successfully, and are willing to help those of us who are still going through it. Although it is primarily UK based, there are lots of overseas contributors - this disease, or forum doesn't recognise boundaries. What it does recognise is that people with GCA/PMR very often feel isolated and unable to fully discuss their illness with loved ones, or their medical team. The only people who really understand the nuances of it are other sufferers.

Please tell us a bit more about yourself, and feel free to ask any question, no matter how trivial or silly they may seem to you - we've all been there!

[Zoesquare1 in reply to DorsetLady]

"Ditto" to everything Dorsett Lady said. Please feel free to ask anything. You will get valuable support & info at this site.

[PMRandRA]

Hello, Yes, this site will definitely help you. Read away and ask as many questions as you want and the good people here will help you.

All the best

[tina-shelley]

Hello sherryannie, I would definately read the Bristol PMR plan. Reducing down to 10mgs in line with this plan is gold star treatment. Just google it. When you get to 10mgs try reducing by .5mgs and doing a very slow taper. Eg, 1 day new dose, 6 days old, 1 day new dose, 5 days new dose, and so forth then reverse the process when you reach 1 day of each, eg, 2 days new 5 days old, 3 days new 4 days old, and so forth until you eventually are on everyday the new dose.

I take calcium, vit d and magnesium suppliments daily, RDA amounts. And because I have stomach problems am also on omeprazole to help prevent any further stomach problems, but along with this tablet I eat yogurt and alpro almond milk Sugar free along with my tablets.

If you do take suppliments do not take them with your preds. Remember, preds for breakfast and suppliments for lunch.

Never reduce if you are feeling unwell or are stressed out about anything, your body may not be able to handle a reduction and the additional illness too and that could result in a flare which is when the PMR pains start again because the inflamation is not being controlled by the preds.

Never ever just stop taking preds. I'm sorry but PMR will be with you for a long time. Although the condition is not life threatening it cannot be cured and the preds only mask the underlying illness which is an auto immune condition which hopefully will eventually burn itself out, but again it will not have gone away. It will lie dormant in our bodies.

All the best sherryannie, any problems or queries just ask us on line, I'm sure whatever you experience, many of us will have been there, done that and worn the t shirt. Regards, christina

[PMRpixie]

You'll find a ton of support here! And the nice part is that these dear people respond quickly and with empathy. It's as good (if not better) as an antidepressant and free - ha.

I for one am so thankful to have found this site!