I am better!

[Silver-Babe]

Dear Dorset Lady,

I developed PMR at New Year 2020. I was put on 15 mg Pred and I have 'stuck to the script' since then. I was warned that I was border line diabetes when I started on the Pred and sure enough, I soon became diabetic, probably because of the steroids. I also had AF (Atrial Fibrillation) and a liver imbalance.

I went to see a diabetic consultant who advised me to see a diabetic dietician. I was then 12 stone 1 lb. and 5'7" but I was beginning to look large. She advised me to go on an 800 calories a day diet and to cut out all carbs and sugar asap. In |April this year, my husband died of Covid, following a long illness. Besides my grief, I did find it easier to diet living on my own and I am pleased to say that I now weight 11stone.

I am pleased to tell you that my diabetes has now gone, my liver imbalance has been corrected, and my AF has been cured by having a cardio version (stopping and starting the heart.) I am also down to 1 mg every other day with no problems and I can see that it will be exactly two years almost to the day that I have been hopefully cured as predicted.

I hope this gives encouragement to others that given time you will all get better. I am approaching 80 now and have never felt better or younger.

So thank you Dorset Lady and all the other contributors who have helped me on my PMR journey. I do appreciate your wise advice very much indeed. I hope this letter gives encouragement to other sufferers too.

'Silver Babe'

[Blearyeyed]

I am so sorry about your loss , you have done incredibly well in the circumstances, you must be such a strong soul.That's such an uplifting story and I am sure it will fill people with hope and more optimism as they begin or struggle on their PMR journey.

Well done , claps all around xx

[Silver-Babe in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you Blearyeyed - but I spoke too soon! Yesterday I was diagnosed with shingles!! At least it's not PMR related!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Silver-Babe]

Please take care , rest , lots of fluids , paracetamol, and use sick Day rules for increasing your dose if you can and need too. So sorry it's so close to Christmas.Are you still at home?

Do you have someone to help you?

[autumnlass]

Am so sorry about your loss … you’re a very brave and strong lady. 😇 A lovely Christmas present for you. Your dear husband is smiling over you. 💖⭐️⭐️

[Silver-Babe in reply to autumnlass]

Thank you Autumnlass. Keep going - lose weight - I think that's the key. See other news about me from other contributors

[autumnlass in reply to Silver-Babe]

Champion Lady! Happy Christmas 🥰💖⭐️

[Hidden]

Well done you. I'm exactly into my third year of PMR/GCA and wish I was as lucky as yourself managing to get down to 1mg every other day. So very sorry to read of your loss. Must say, you look amazing for eighty !

I wish you a Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Condolences for your loss ❤️ - good to hear you are much better in lots of ways.

Please go slowly with your tapering -and don’t get fixated on the 2year mark -sometimes the last hurdle is the most difficult -as many have found out even 0.5mg really does make a big difference.

Plus this Christmas will be the first since your husband died, so it will be stressful, so don’t attempt to reduce your dose until the new year.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is such good news - and hope the rest of the journey is as good. I need to follow your example - despite being alone since my husband died I have rather lapsed on diet. No excuse now.

[tempusfugi]

Thanks so much for your encouraging story, Silver-Babe and my commiserations for your loss. Continue looking after yourself so well; you are an example to us all.

[SheffieldJane]

Firstly, I am sorry that your husband died. I applaud you for your efforts to get well yourself, under extremely difficult circumstance. You are a strong brave woman, clearly. To find it in your heart to be grateful, is humbling. Thank you. 🌼

[Silver-Babe in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you Sheffield Jane. I remember writing to you several times before and I thank you for your kind replies. It's just good I imagine for you and all the others to hear that if they wait two years, which I think, is often regarded as the prescribed 'time', one can get better from Poly neuralgia . I was worried writing this good news letter, because I dreaded getting it again like 'tomorrow'. Well I was right in a way, because yesterday I went down with shingles!! Never a dull moment is there?!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Silver-Babe]

oh dear -or some such words!😳

Hope you’ve contacted GP for anti viral drugs ….

[Silver-Babe in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes dear Dorset Lady! That will teach me to be smug won't it? But at least it's nothing to do with PMR. Thank you again for your kind words and two years of help not only for me but for thousands of others - you are the Queen of PMR!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Silver-Babe]

Thank you but no I’m not -that’s PMRpro -although I might accept Goddess of GCA! If modesty permits 😉

[Silver-Babe in reply to DorsetLady]

You certainly are the Goddess!

[Blearyeyed in reply to DorsetLady]

Viking Queen , Goddess of GCA , Deserving Mistress of all she surveys is you full title isn't it?At least it should be , now send your warriors to go and fetch you a cup of tea and a cupcake🍰👸🧚

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Blearyeyed]

😂🤣😂….. No live-in warriors unfortunately! But I’ll make up for it over Christmas at son’s - have no fear!

[Blearyeyed in reply to DorsetLady]

I hope they prepare your throne perfectly , surrounded by all the things you need and pamper you senseless , hugs x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Blearyeyed]

TY - hugs reciprocated 😊

[Sherlock57]

Do you know what caused your AF? Was it unrelated to the PMR?

I was diagnosed with PMR in October and put on Prednisolone. I then developed AF which lasted for about a month. It stopped as suddenly as it started. No one seems to be able to tell why!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sherlock57]

if you had AF in October, it is a bit early to conclude it has stopped. I just read an article about diagnosing it which said that out-patient diagnosis of paroxysmal AF may require wearing a monitor for 80 days to get a record.

The arrhythmia expert cardiologist is confident that my AF was caused by the autoimmune part of PMR having damaged the sinus node, the group of electrical cells that governs heart rate. It was well-managed with medication for the last 6 or 7 years but since having the bivalent Covid jab it has been quite persistent. This also coincided with me having lowered my pred dose a lot, down to 7mg, thanks to Actemra. Previously, the AF was always related to inflammation - being worse when I was flaring with the PMR and part of the need for the level of pred was management of the AF. Maybe your pred has removed a component of the cause of the AF.