It has been 12 weeks since I was diagnosed with PMR. Early in my journey I found this group and learned so much. It has given me somewhere to turn to when I wasn't sure what was happening, when I was frightened and at a loss as to what to do. There have been many posts that have helped but I also got some reassurance from people's stories. So today I thought I would tell mine with the hope it will help someone.
It all started on the 31st January 2018 when I woke with biceps pain, hip pain and hamstring pain. I thought I had done too much yoga but it got worse! By February 12th I could hardly walk, get in and out of the car, move in bed. My husband insisted i made a GP appointment (I'm not one for going to the doctor). 19th February I saw the GP, in the meantime I had worsened including headache, temporal, mostly on right, neck pain like I had been hit on the back of the head with a stick, blurred vision. My GP was great, sent me to A&E, blood samples in hand. A&E weren't so good. My bloodwork was normal "very normal" and I "looked well" and was "articulate"! They would refer me to rheumatology (still waiting). Luckily, I have asthma and some prednisolone on hand in case I have problems. I took 20mg.
The next day I made an appointment for a private consultation with a rheumatologist, an appointment to have my eyes tested, and spoke to my GP who agreed I should go on 20mg prednisolone, see him in a week. I quoted the reports suggested in your posts and have since given him copies. But Dr Gulati has been exemplary in his care. I saw the optician 5 days later, eyes good but dry, hycosan original advised. I saw the rheumatologist after 12 days, he stated definitely PMR but did not think GCA. Back to my GP to support me.
After 6 weeks I returned to work gradually. I am self employed and needed to return to work for many reasons, not just financial. Currently I am still part time 3 days per week but as my husband says "working is part of your therapy". Last week I started my half day voluntary work as a receptionist (not too physically demanding). I am maintaining this 3 days work, 1/2 day voluntary indefinitely. Tomorrow I am going to practice a 10 minute yoga routine I think. I'll see how I feel in the morning.
I am now on 12.5 mg following Professor Dasgupta's 84 week tapering plan. And yesterday I think was the first day I felt the PMR was going. A definite change. Still got minor aches in the usual places I.e biceps, hips, hamstrings a 2/10. It's been interesting and I've learned a lot (another post I think as I don't want to ramble too much).
My main point from this is from thinking I would never get my life back 12 weeks and 3 days from diagnosis I feel very optimistic. By no means am I back to what I was. Part of me realises I will never be back to that person. Perhaps a good thing? I could meet myself coming back. All is well. Amor fati as the stoic would say. Love your fate. Love your life.
Love Lorraine x
Steroid myopathy or PMR..? What’s the difference
Rheumatologist recommendation 
My Story
