August 2020 at 51, I was diagnosed with PMR (a condition I had never heard of before)
I had all the classic symptoms. I was practically bedridden!
Thankfully, I was only a couple of months before my Rheumatologist put me on 30 mgs of Prednisone for about 3 months, after that tapering down by 5mgs every two weeks down to 15 but that wasn't cutting it so back to 20, where I stayed for quite some time.
I had every adverse reaction to pred, including hypertension, (now on high blood pressure meds) weight gain (almost 40 lbs) and of course, I worry about long term affects.
After some discussion with my Dr and four months of fighting with health insurance to cover a new medication, I am now on Actemra injections.
GAME CHANGER!!
I am, in 6 weeks time, down from 10 mgs of Prednisone to 2.5 for two weeks then I'm done with it!! (7 more days, but who's counting??) I have NO pain!!
I will be on Actemra for a while, but I am having no side effects!
Just thought I'd share because I was originally told Prednisone was the ONLY "approved" treatment for PMR.
I hope my post can help someone else who's suffering with this!