Spring deterioration?

[Cmmw]

Hello! It's so nice to see the new leaves, flowers etc. The joys of spring. But does spring have a negative effect on PMR? I first got it 3 years ago in March and I've noticed that around March/April in 2019, 2020 and now again, I have to increase the dose of Pred to deal with a relapse. Anybody else noticed this? Is it a known fact or just me? My physio says it's often the case for other aches and pains.

[123-go]

That's an interesting observation. I find that in spring time my mind is telling me to clean up, clear out and get on top of the things I have neglected during darker, colder days- the garden, for example. Have you been overdoing things by any chance?

[YuliK in reply to 123-go]

I managed to do all those things ( clean up , clear out, and get on top of things during lockdown 🤣

[123-go in reply to YuliK]

I did a lot indoors during lockdown but nothing in the garden during the winter months: too wet/ muddy/windy and I feel the cold. Since the better weather I have to admit I've overdone things outside on some days.

[Constance13 in reply to YuliK]

Lucky you!😂

[Constance13 in reply to 123-go]

That comes from your upbringing probably. It was the thing to "spring clean".

[Conundrum]

That’s interesting. I don’t know the answer, but I too developed symptoms in March (2018). I cannot say I’ve noticed symptoms flare in Spring although I have found tapering pred. more difficult. Could it it be our bodies, circulations adjusting to the warmer temperatures. I also have Reynauld’s and definitely notice this every Spring, especially my hands and feet get sore, because, I believe the blood supply improves and repairs damaged tissue. 🤔

[fmkkm]

Could be the pollen in the air is getting your immune system all riled up.

[Cmmw in reply to fmkkm]

Good point...

[Marijo1951 in reply to fmkkm]

I felt my first GCA symptoms in March 2017 and my first PMR symptoms a month later. At the time I was going through a nasty bout of hay fever, which was the first really bad one I'd had in about 35 years as I suffered from it far more severely when I was young. I did wonder at the time if there could be some kind of connection, but I'd forgotten about that until I read your comment. I've had 3 or 4 flare ups since then (more of GCA than PMR) but I don't think any of them occurred in the Spring.

[HeronNS]

Not really sure about the absolute beginning of my PMR journey because I had no idea that's what was brewing, but it was early June after more than a year of worsening symptoms, when I presented to the doctor's office (with no doctor, mine having moved) thinking I was dying - and tears got me in with a new and much better doctor right away, and a rapid diagnosis.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A seasonal rhythm was seen in new cases of PMR according to a study done in 1990. Others say there isn't.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/238...

jrheum.org/content/30/12/2624

but the meta analysis done in 2020 by a group including the original author of the first paper decided there wasn't (must have been bored during Covid!)

So you pays your money and you takes your choice ...

I do remember that the first signs - being unable to sleep with my arms above my head - appeared in the spring but it was in June 5 years later I first got a diagnosis of sorts but the rheumy didn't want it to be PMR, a GP was happy enough and the final label appeared in August/September I imagine. So really - given the struggles many patients have to get a diagnosis at all, I would suggest that their meta-analysis might be a tad wobbly because of the delays we know develop between the start of the symptoms and the diagnosis. I think that also accounts for this insistence that PMR has a sudden onset - it's only when it finally hits that doctors (might) recognise it.

[Cmmw in reply to PMRpro]

Oh well, it was just a thought... I may try to put up with the symptoms and see if they lessen in May. I don't relish the thought of increasing the dose of Pred again. Thank you all for the feedback.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cmmw]

I think you have a point - although there is another point that in spring we do probably start to do more and maybe do too much all of a sudden!

[Oumaof2 in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting chat... Do you think rising humidity could be a factor?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Oumaof2]

Unlikely in the UK - winter has to be the dampest season.

[Gunflash]

My PMR was first detected in March and the diagnosis confirmed in April.

[S4ndy]

I have noticed my PMR more in Spring. I think this is frustration at not being able to get out and about and do things in the Spring. I have learnt (well more or less) not to get Spring Fever and go mad with cleaning, decorating, gardening etc. I now pay people to do these things and save my limited energy for the nice things like seeing my son for first time since last June :). It's about pacing and prioritising! Take it steady xxx

[Pr0jection]

My PMR started in April last year, and it's always the time of year that we start preparing the garden for the Cyprus summer, painting fences, pressure washing, etc etc. So it's a busy time physically and I think I overdid things particularly last year. Having said that I seem to be doing the same this year but with pred helping me. I've also just started the slow slow taper to get from 7.5mg to 6.25mg. I do remember my mother telling me, at this time of year, that the aches and pains I was getting were growing pains......

[Noosat]

I haven't noticed any flare at that time, but do get othe worries such as allergies, backache from gardening etc.

[Twopies]

I’ve had to go up on prednisone the last 3 springs—not because I do more, I just start to ache in all the pmr tell-tale places. For me it might have to do with seasonal allergies, who knows. All I know is this is year 3 of having to increase.

[Cmmw in reply to Twopies]

Exactly my case too!

[Hosers2]

You have a point. Mine hit in full force on Fathers Day 2020. Right after I had finished my spring planting and gardening. I have been dreading June this year, fearing I will have a relapse, just because of the season.