New to MPR - can I ever play golf again?

[Golfeveryday]

Any help or support would be great.

Thanks

David

[GOOD_GRIEF]

You betcha. But it may be a while.

Practice putting. Wait until you have more energy and less pain before trying the driving range. Make sure you don't try to do too much at first, and don't try to go all out. Get a bucket of balls, quit when you're tired, and take days off in between.

Then, if you have the stamina, try playing 9 holes at a time until you can build back up to the full course. Use a cart instead of trying to walk the course and carry your clubs. You'll enjoy it more and pay less of a price for it.

Remember that the last thing you want is an injury, because it will not only set back your recovery, and your game, but it will take a lot more time to recover than it did before.

If you're a golfer, you already are familiar with practicing patience. If you want to get back on the course, you'll need to perfect that skill.

[SheffieldJane]

I would fully expect that you will return to golf someday down the line. You may find that further treatment on your knee might be required though. It is still relatively early days with your PMR. Good luck!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Yes you will get back to golf, but maybe not yet, in the meantime have a look at this to give you some idea of what maybe in store, and a bit more knowledge before you see Rheumy next time -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Orpheus82]

It’s all about listening to your body and pacing yourself. You gradually get to know how much exercise you can manage without having to pay for it the next day. Everyone has a different path through PMR. I was fine to exercise when I was on higher doses at the beginning and even did a couch to 5k running program. But once I was on doses below 7mg it seemed to be much more difficult and recently on 3.5 the fatigue I have at times makes it difficult even to go for a walk. But I still expect to go back to exercising one day 🤞so I’m sure you will get back to golf. Patience is something that PMR forces on us!

[Janet57]

Hi David, I would think so but you’ll need to be patient and when you regain your strength you will need to pace yourself. Don’t do too much too soon or you could jeopardise or lengthen your recovery. I played golf before PMR and I’m back now but mostly using a buggy. In fact my upper body and swing is better than before. I’m building weight bearing strength so that I can walk the course. Start with a few holes, then rest. Agree with the other replies. You may not feel up to anything at the moment and if so don’t beat yourself up. Patience is the key. All the best for a good recovery. This is a great forum for support and advice. Don’t be afraid to ask anything.

[Hidden in reply to Janet57]

You learn to adapt your shoulder and upper arms. You are probably striking the ball with better timing rather than strength. Say she who hasn't played for a few years! Y driving wasn't as far with a bad back but it was definitely more accurate! Sadly I can play no more but not due to pmr.

[Hidden]

Hi GED, you will definitely have to listen to your body. Just try a shorter period when you go. Even if it's putting practice or a bit of chipping practice. That way you can still attend the club and enjoy the social side if you want to.

PMR is a vasculitis. The pain in either or all of the below shoulders/arms/hands/hips/legs/feet isdue to inflammation in the vascular system. This means not enough blood is getting to your small vessels in the muscles and ligaments.the pred helps stop the inflammation being so severe and there's why you get relief. However, the pmr is still there. When you do more than your muscles are capable of at this moment, there will be small tears in the tissues that the circulation/oxygen etc normally repair. You know that feeling of doing a lot of exercise, being stiff, but it going the next day? Now it may take a few days to repair if at all in the ageing body. That's why we say keep active and enjoy what you can but don't overdo it. Maybe try a couple of holes and/or use a buggy and see how you feel the next day. I found I could do things i was previously capable of if I always build in a rest day afterwards. Sometimes two days rest. You will get there but be patient and sensible and you should be OK.. We can be a bit clumsy with pmr so mind your feet!!

[Captainjonny]

Hello David, I don't play golf but I may have gone through similar feelings at the onset of my PMR - wanting to get back to "normal", wanting to get off the steroids too quickly and so on. I never was the most patient of individuals and so I did some wrong things at the start - pushing too hard, tapering too quickly. But I've learned - go slowly but do keep going! All the best.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think it may depend on how much your shoulders and hips are affected with bursitis - golf would probably aggravate that if it is a problem anyway. I'd also say not to play or try to play more than a few holes at first and always with a day off in between sessions until you can assess how your body reacts to what you are asking it to do. And then build up slowly. Use all the aids you can - keep the energy for the important stuff.

I don't know about golf, but I did find that the hip action in skiing was very helpful in combatting the stiffness although the start in the morning was rather difficult! The first short run was less than elegant ...

[Golfeveryday]

Thank you all so much for the comments. I was beginning to think I may have to give golf up but I feel encouraged that it may be possible again in time.

I think I’ll try putting and chipping when the weather picks up a bit. There’s always the 19th hole if that gets too tiring.

Thanks again.

David

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Golfeveryday]

Now that sounds like a plan!

[Golfeveryday in reply to DorsetLady]

👍thanks

[daworm]

I'm just about done with year 3 of PMR and prednisone...I golfed fairly often...the first summer after coming down with PMR I was still pretty stiff and the muscles didn't want to work so great, but its still possible, the next two years...bah, easy peasy...warm up good, take some ibuprofen, especially if you have OA in your joints to go with this PMR like I do..and hit the links...I played as often as I wanted to last year, I may have had a few days where you don't want to do much of anything and thats fairly common..."crash" days I call them...dont stop being as active as you can and don't under dose with the prednisone especially to start with...I started at 20mg, it wasn't enough, 25 helped and there began the slooooow tapering...im at 1 right now and I'm not sure thats enough....no rush...dont expect miracles from pred but I would hate to be without it..."FORE"

[Golfeveryday in reply to daworm]

Many thanks for your comments I see see myself playing again soon. As soon as the weather picks up I will try chipping and putting. I have been on 15mg for 8 weeks and just dropped to 12.5mg. Next steps are exercise and reduce pain relief. Everyone on here have been so helpful.

Thanks I hope you keep well

[daworm in reply to Golfeveryday]

good for you...it important to get exercise, (not to the point of pain!) and of course fresh air...perhaps using the driver or 3 wood is a bit harder at first, but chipping, putting all the rest and being out in the fresh air is all possible...plus ...golf may be one sport we'll still be able to play it won't get shut down during this virus thing...and don't rush that prednisone taper...I didn't get any horrible side effects but the whole deal will affect your mood once in awhile...understandable...hey, get in a scramble, you can still putt and chip for the team if its too risky to try and swing hard..