I understand PMR is an over-active immune response. .. ..
Until the morning I woke unable to move (eventually dx with PMR and now Fibromyalgia) I was the one that felt sad when others were ill .. simply because I was never ever. Was this because my immune system was working optimally until a whole string of major stressful events took place within a short period of time PLUS I began an extreme indoor exercise routine (because of COVID) taking very little nutrition (again because of COVID and lack of income) that my body went into overdrive fighting to keep up with exercise routine and stress 🤔
JUST THINKING OUT LOUD 🗣 💭
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Capprice
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I think it is difficult to speculate about reasons for PMR/GCA (I likely have the latter) and a priori conditions. I think often stressful conditions (physically and mentally) plus a final trigger might cause the disease (if you are genetically predisposed). In my case, I did lot of exercise before getting ill but I did that since long and there was no change in my exercise regime (mostly cycling (road and mountain bike) and running). I did also not change diet. I am, however, the one who caught every cold virus around since ever (so obviously just the opposite of you). Approx. half a year before my GCA started, my mother got very ill (and passed away later) and it caused lots of stress bringing together work and looking after her. The final straw was then most likely a flu vaccination. So the individual before-PMR/GCA-histories can be very different. However, as said before genetic predisposition plus environmental triggers (stress, vaccination, infection) play together.
Stress, whether physical or mental or both is certainly a major factor - most people on here would admit that was probably a major player leading to their illness.
Tricky one isn’t it? Ive heard the stories over decades of health care of many people becoming ill suddenly with with major illnesses who cry that they’ve ever been ill. I have been diagnosed twice with major disease twice now and was superwoman in between. Your photo epitomises how I saw myself, though I can’t profess to have looked quite so Lara Croft 🙂. I worked with countless colleagues who were unfailing work horses come hell or high water who suddenly succumbed. My broad brush conclusion is that sometimes we think we are well but really we have become adept at ignoring the memos from head office that we need to address a problem with the way we are treating our mind and body, or life events come thick and fast and we crumble. Sometimes people have had a surprise knock out of nowhere but there’s nearly always a back story.
I do believe I may have ignored petty illnesses over the years whilst running a beauty business and doing school run for 30 years (16 yr age gap between my lads) didn't allow for 'time-off' so to speak! Business going bust after 30 years and relationship ending after 25 years with no financial recompense (name wasn't on mortgage) hasn't helped stress levels .. along with covid isolation (my work was my solace .. being with clients took my mind of things) ..
My eldest (34) has always called me his hero and now I see why.
I never quite realised how much I dealt with .. until now. Your reply has really touched a nerve SnazzyD 😘 thank you
Look how many people get to retirement and within a very short time are very ill. When you think you are indispensable it is all too easy to ignore warning signs.
So true and totally relatable to lockdown.. kind of like early retirement for us young un's for sure.
Only probs I now need to go back to full time work. I did work 2 hours yesterday (lockdown for beauty lifted) to see how I coped.. I was breathless and tired by the end. GP gave Mirtazapine (for sleep) about a month ago. I took 15mg upon getting them but haven't taken again until I got home yesterday. I was so fatigued but unable to relax.
It's been 12 months since PMR reared it's ugly head but I'm slowly beginning to understand the beauty and beast of it.
SLOW DOWN is the only beauty
Hi CappriceWhen I was first diagnosed, I too tried to ferret around and identify the triggers. I was absolutely furious and felt that my body had broken our contract - I had done my best to lead a good life, making healthy diet, lifestyle and exercise choices on the understanding that my body would keep going.
In the intervening weeks, I have noticed this pattern being repeated in a PMR Facebook group and to a lesser extent here ... newly diagnosed people trying to identify exactly what it was that triggered their PMR - I think that this is particularly the case in people who would previously have regarded themselves as fit and well.
As others have said above, PMR is multi factorial. Some of us seem to have a genetic disposition which makes it likely that we will develop this - or some other autoimmune condition. It seems that you have identified a number of factors which may have contributed to you developing PMR; I hope that this has helped you to find some sort of peace and that it will help you to process the anger and frustration which can accompany a PMR diagnosis.
I had been taking Elleste Duet, HRT for hot flushes etc. Annoyingly I couldn't get the tablets anywhere for several months so didn't bother once the prescription expired. Last packet finished around 5/6 months before PMR set in.
I also took Isotretinoin for several months around 14 months before PMR set in - for acne rosacea x
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