PMR Trigger?

[Cycleman]

Perhaps someone could enlighten me.

3-4 years ago I inexplicably started to slowly lose weight. Over 12 months I lost a stone(14lbs). In every other aspect I was 100% fit. 3years ago I spent about 5 hours splitting wood, using a heavy maul ( cross between an axe and a sledgehammer.

The following day I had severe stiffness across both shoulders, which I put down as normal reaction to exercise. The next day the pain worsened and I assumed tendonitis. After 3 days the pain and stiffness had spread to my hips and hamstrings, I was like the tinman from the W of Oz.

My doctor correctly diagnosed PMR and prescribed 15 mg dose of Pred whichhad amiraculous effect.

What still confuses me is that he felt the wood splitting exercise should not have triggered The PMR (I on the other hand am in no doubt) . He also said I had probably had PMR for the time I was losing weight( a year) even though I had no other symptoms.

Can any anyone comment please

[Yellowbluebell]

I probably had pmr for at least two years before diagnosis due to having repeated ops on my shoulder. Even my gp and rheumy think the ops were the trigger. Many people on the forum can pin point a trigger. This can be something like physical trauma or a virus or a stressful situation so its quite possible your heavy labouring could have triggered pmr but it could also have been any number of things. In a way it really doesnt matter now as long as it is being treated properly. You know in future not to do so much hard physical work just in case it was the trigger. Good luckYBB

[Cycleman in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Thank you

[cranberryt]

I first thought a workout caused my pain (like you it started overnight). But after it spread and I was dx, I believe it was my stress and anxiety that had been underlying for months. It is possible the workout was the last straw but I truly believe the stress and anxiety were the root for me.

[Cycleman in reply to cranberryt]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi cycleman, here's some research that was done on what people think caused their PMR.

bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/1...

[Cycleman in reply to Hidden]

Interested and varied reasons. Thanks

[Cally55]

Before I was diagnosed with GCA PMR I lost about 2 stone without trying. Weight loss is a known symptom of GCA. I can think of all sorts of unpleasant events, both physical and social, that occurred in the period before diagnosis, but I was 65 then and life at that age is full of nasties anyway!

[Cycleman in reply to Cally55]

Thank you. According to my GP and various articles weight loss is also a feature of PMR

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Weight loss is a recorded and relatively common effect of vasculitis, including PMR. The experts are coming to believe that the autoimmune process is probably going on many months before there are any symptoms. I suspect the sudden onset of PMR that is so often touted is not always true - mine definitely crept up slowly over about a year until one morning I DID wake up unable to move and I know of others who had similar experiences.

There ARE experts who believe extreme exercise can precipitate the development of PMR symptoms - but not usually a day in the woodpile sort. But whatever is apparently the trigger - it is probably the straw that breaks the camel's back rather than a pure single factor.

[Cycleman in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, that makes sense.