Good morning, newbie here 
Awaiting confirmation of diagnosis for PMR.
I was just wondering how many other members of my age group there were out there. I'm 50. In all the literature I've read it states that it's uncommon for this age. Typical in women 65 - 70 and over.
At the moment the pain and exhaustion is extremely limiting and as I'm still very much a working single mum, I'm feeling a little down. Would love to hear from others in a similar position and how you cope. Thank you
They do keep on about it being rare in under 60s but that is rubbish! There are a lot of us on the forum who were diagnosed (or not diagnosed in my case) in our 50s. I was 51 when the first symptoms appeared but it was only 5 years later that I worked out what it possibly was and, although the rheumy I saw disagreed, a GP was perfectly happy that my response to 15mg pred was typical enough to continue the short course of pred the rheumy had given me. No doctor where I now live has ever disputed it.
Hi,
Uncommon maybe, but certainly not unknown...there are a few on forum who are in 50s and working and will be along in due course to advise.
Main thing is to get your employers on side once you have diagnosis.
Meanwhile you may like to have a read of this, so if it is PMR you have some idea of how to deal with it -
It would be helpful if medics read the BSR Diagnosis and Treatment of PMR.
academic.oup.com/rheumatolo...
The following is an extraction, the whole can be read by following the link.
i) Core inclusion criteria: PMR can be diagnosed with normal inflammatory markers, if there is a classic clinical picture and response to steroids. These patients should be referred for specialist assessment.
Age >50 years,
I know two who post on this forum knew the ladies who sat on that committee as patient representatives and worked hard to demonstrate that the age range was incorrect and finally they agreed and the age range was lowered when these guidelines were issued.
Sometimes I could spit feathers.
I was a little older than you when diagnosed...61yrs....but was still working in a primary school in the nursery class. In the past 2years I've had 2 attempts at returning to work but only managed half a term each time. I'm going to begin my 3rd (and final) attempt at the end of may. The ability to carry on your normal daily life is unlikely and 'tweaks' and adjustments will need to be made. Things that are a definite priority (like looking after your children) must set a precedent and other things that are likely to tire you out, potentially cause a flare or are not physically possible at the current time, must be put on a back burner for now. Both the condition and the steroids will make you feel fatigued much quicker than normal and the sooner you can accept your new limitations the easier you'll find it to manage your condition. It does all sound doom and gloom, and it's not!! It's important you realise that this condition is most definitely not one you can just 'push through' though. Things will improve with time and as the PMR begins to diminish and you reach lower doses of steroids, you'll begin to feel stronger and more capable again.
Hi there. As you say, the literature indicates that pmr is most common in older women. I was diagnosed at 52, and a man - so I "bucked the trend" in two ways! They've given me the label of "atypical" PMR to indicate this. My consultant actually told me that knowledge of autoimmune diseases is still, relatively, in its infancy; and that in the future when more is known, it will probably be found that those of us currently categorised as having atypical pmr, actually have a slightly different disease. In the meantime, the symptoms are sufficiently similar that they are unable to differentiate. Moreover, prednisolone works it's magic, as long as the dose is right. Four years later I'm still managing to work as a gardener. I've been as high as 60mg and as low as 3mg - currently on 12. I've been assured that PMR will eventually "burn itself out". It's a waiting game, but with the steroids (which are a double edged sword), life can carry on, pretty much as usual while you wait. Good luck!
Wish they'd learn that "PMR" is not the disease - it is the name given to a constellation of symptoms due to an underlying disorder, some of which are pred-responsive and some of which are not. First you rule out the nastier options and try pred - if it works, you go with that in the absence of any indication it is anything else. If it doesn't - keep looking ...
Hi Cluck71 I was 46 when first diagnosed. Didn't have steroids at that time because I was ignorant and thought it would be better to soldier on! So ended up taking a whole cocktail of painkillers and struggling for two years until the PMR went into remission. However it came back with a vengeance when I was 54 and I have been on prednisolone for 5yrs. Unfortunately, due to a combination of PMR and other joint problems I had to give up my business and haven't been fit enough to work not do I expect to be as the other joint problems aren't getting any better.
I think if you are diagnosed with PMR take the Prednisolone and if you have to work maybe see if you can reduce your hours until you know how the prednisolone works for you. It will be a major adjustment and you will have to rest more as everything makes you tired or achy. Well it does in my case!
Good morning. I was diagnosed May 2020 at 55. My dr refers to my case as “atypical” because of my age for what that is worth. I was very active and healthy when PMR came out of the blue and stopped me cold. I was diagnosed quickly and once I got to the right Medrol dose have been able to exercise and work part time. You will learn how to balance and what your new normal has to be. This forum is the best resource!!!
Hi I was diagnosed at 56 - such comments as "you're a bit young for PMR" does nothing to help us come to terms with both the physical and mental impact of the diagnosis has with regard to work, make sure you take some sick leave and get yourself stabilised on the steroids before thinking of going back. Symptoms and side effects do improve over time and you will adjust . I'm still working - yes I get tired more easily but please don't make any hasty decisions about work etc - you need time to adjust first
Newly diagnosed \"younger\" age !! 47 years old and confused
Update to my 88 year old mum and swelling of hand and vein
Doctors ignoring female complaints 
73 year old women with PMR
PMR Was active 76 year old until now 
