Just wanted to encourage you, swap stories etc especially with the younger members; i'm 51 & was diagnosed after 4.5 months by my G.P even though another g.p there wasn't convinced even a yr later! I've been pretty much managing since starting on prednisolone...that was 15 mg almost 10mths ago. I'm down to 6 now after slow tapering...what I would say is be attuned to yr body, it has its own quirks of how it responds & copes daily, we need to adjust as & when & no one way of doing things suits all. I've had mostly neck problems which helps my mobility but it does bring its own problems e.g head symptoms. I've been able to work part time although it's been a struggle especially this time of year, but it could be a lot worse as many others say too. I actually find the dose now gives me better concentration & alertness than I had before I got ill so thank goodness for that. This condition actually helps with redeployment too as it's counted as a disability. Any others got work stories?I'm fortunate to have a supportive other half & daughter, & they've understood better after being more informed. Thanks for this site guys ! 😁
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BTW you could download the BSR Guidelines on the Daignosis and Treatment of PMR and take it to the sceptical GP, but before you do that, make sure you highlight in red.
Age 50 onwards.
available on NHS, BSR, Patient info and, of , PMR GCA UK websites.
I believe that you can set up little sub groups with Private Message. I agree that there will be particular issues if you are working and having difficulty with diagnosis because of your young age.
A lot of us were in our early 50s when PMR appeared - I was. That was probably part of the problem diagnosing it for 5 years. I continued to work but was a freelance translator so not a "proper" job you could say, no commuting. It allowed me to choose my hours and spend half the morning in the warm pool and sauna at the gym
I’m fine working at home in my own headspace and feel well. But working away, travelling and increasing energy to interact with others etc really takes it out of me. I love it. But I have to fit in recovery time.
I have supportive other half but even so, I don’t think he quite gets the fatigue/ chronic side of it especially as some days I feel very well.
I can go from almost normal to wiped out vquickly.
Have had to let some things go and sadly it’s been excersise for me. I’m generally active but would like to fit in slow jog/ Pilates. Etc.
I was 56years old & had to Retire Early on Health Grounds. I’m 64 now & still fighting the demon that is PMR ~ it has waxed & waned I’m afraid & l was told l was much too young to have PMR.....
I was 55yrs at dx. Retired on ill health due to several other conditions at 46.
There are several workers that have posted and its fine for some and others struggle and/or have to stay at higher dose. It depends what the work is and comorbidities sometimes. If your age is in your profile, remove the otheraspectd like gender and race and see what comes up on "similar to me" in the members search function. Sadly its not a refined search but if it only has age to compare it may work. You can then invite them to discuss if they work or not. 🌻
A youngster , I was not quite 47 when GCA symptoms were recognised.
There are a few people in your age bracket , even a few in mine!! most of which had difficulties in PMR diagnosis because the GP or Rheumatologist was more interested in the " Rule Book " than the symptoms and knew nothing about more current research.
Keep popping in and updating us on your story.
If you want to know more about mine ( although I do not have GCA/ PMR alone but a number of other issues that make my tale slightly different ) please feel free to press on my name on this reply , go to my profile and click down my list of posts .
I was diagnosed aged 54 in July this year. Pretty classic symptoms; hips, shoulders and neck and responded instantly to steroids. So far my taper to 8mg has been fairly uneventful. I was ridiculous fatigued at the start and 5.30am work starts even just 3 days a week were crippling. And my job is desk bound. Most of the other days were spent on the couch recovering. Have managed to modify my routine and energy levels have improved over time. Used to be very active and still manage to get out for mountain bike rides with my Monday Girl buddies, but slightly slower and spend a lot of the afternoon recovering. A recent week long bike packing trip round Slovenia I hired an ebike to be sure I could make it round and chuffed to only need eco mode. Definitely can't manage lots of extra activities on top of my work days and have learned to pace myself. Stopped some of my volunteering work for now. But from the outside I think I look pretty normal to those around me - or at least they haven't commented!
I was diagnosed just after turning 51, 11 months ago. So I've been on prednisone for almost a year now. My first go on prednisone was a crazy fast tapering schedule that really messed me up. During the summer I was still on 22.5 mg of prednisone and am now at 21!! My rheumy has added on methotrexate. So far I have not noticed any benefit after 5 weeks, but no side-effects either. I am doing the injections to avoid the side effects. I am hoping I will notice a benefit soon and will be able to taper the prednisone.
Hello and nice to meet you. I was 51 when diagnosed in 2012, it took 8 months to find a GP who knew what it was. We are young to get it and when I eventually needed to see a rheumatologist 3 years later due to problems getting off Pred he said it couldn't possibly be PMR as I was far too young. Puzzled, I started Googling PMR and found this forum and posted the question Am I too young?. I got loads of great replies and over the years this forum has been a godsend to me at various stages of my PMR journey. Sounds like you've got a plan sussed and you're right to take it easy, definately tortoise and not hare in every respect, moving, working, pacing yourself etc. TCx
48 at onset though my rheumy still refuses a pmr dx due to age. All the classic symptoms. Rapid onset. Bilateral pain in hip girdle/thighs, neck/shoulders, upper arms. Prednisone worked within hours. Tapered from 20mg in July to 8. starting 7 tomorrow. Was active at dx and limit myself to yoga and light weights on machines now.
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Almost 4 months since GCA diagnosis and can't get my shoes on for swollen ankles. 
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