Dorothy Byrne Article

[Estellemac]

Good read on her journey with PMR and GCA

How I got myself in shape to work full-time in my 70s

newspaper.mailplus.co.uk/da...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not a bad summary - but as the dear lady admits, not for everyone since a private personal trainer often ranks alongside childcare for cost and as we know - that is rapidly negating the point of going to work!!! And even she would struggle with a supermarket job which a large proportion of women our age did prior to retirement.

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

Dorothy has had something made to measure which obviously fits her like a glove. If her GCA was active she would not be feeling the same. I have just had my son with Covid inspite of all the injections. I have been up and downstairs with every meal and I know how I have felt and what a relief it was yesterday not to have to do it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to prunus]

I had to abandon a home with stairs that didn't have a downstairs loo. I could work then - but only because I could get from bed to computer without commuting! That was in my 50s! Now? Could probably manage that - but to be honest - I don't want to.

[Estellemac in reply to PMRpro]

I had to have stairlift fitted because we have no downstairs loo. I have a very weak bladder which I blame on the steroids as it is a muscle. Today the Dr was going to do a Botox treatment but I had another UTI so that was cancelled. I blame the UTI on steroids too but on the whole Id rather take them than have PMR pain which seems to be making a comeback since January.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Estellemac]

I think every home should have a downstairs loo - in fact, I think every home should have 2 loos ... Especially if 2 people who are married live in it!

[Estellemac in reply to PMRpro]

If I could change anything in my house it would be to have a toilet installed downstairs. Logistically it might be further away than the upstairs one according to Parker??

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Estellemac]

Horizontal distance isn't much of a problem ...

[prunus in reply to PMRpro]

Yes with PMR I know you have bad joint problems. I belong to a local group and I hear what some of the members have to say. I was feeling very done in.

[Rugger]

It's good to read that her PMR and GCA are in remission. I'm not sure that she could do all that with active inflammation, but it gives us hope!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rugger]

Well quite!

[SheffieldJane]

Thanks for this. I am however, embracing being less driven. I suspect it got me here in the first place. Yours, sitting on a soft chair, looking at a river in the middle of the Peak District, listening to spring birdsong, outside a tiny converted barn, perhaps I’ll get an elastic band to pull on a bit. Xx

[Estellemac in reply to SheffieldJane]

I may not stretch as far as an elastic band. Perhaps fiddle with my hair scrunchy whilst getting Parker to fill up the bird feeder for my eyeball exercises.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Estellemac]

My late hubby used to say he got plenty of exercise -

jumping to conclusions and running people down! 🤣😂

[Longtimer in reply to DorsetLady]

Love that!

[powerwalk in reply to DorsetLady]

😅😅

[Blearyeyed in reply to SheffieldJane]

Love it ! Glad to hear you are embracing Serenity .

Much better than trying to cope with the Stress of trying to fit in with the " Normal" .

My exercise today is going to be flipping pancakes but I've got a nice light pan!😆😆😆

[Estellemac in reply to Blearyeyed]

I just bought a pancake pan from Lidl. Perfect for weak wrists!

[Blearyeyed in reply to Estellemac]

Got mine in France about 25 years ago , still going strong despite years of pancake day punishment , including ending up in the odd hedge and rolling down the street on many a pancake day race!We had 8 pancakes each , then couldn't have managed to move to run even if we'd wanted too.

[Estellemac in reply to Blearyeyed]

I am mostly remembered by my Grandkids for pancakes. Taught them all how to make them. It’s a breakfast ritual when we visit now. Such an inexpensive filling meal that’s not highly processed like some cereals.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Estellemac]

We had traditional ones yesterday but I usually make a batch of Scotch or American style pancakes each week to have as a quick breakfast. Often make them from a base of buckwheat , almond or oat flour , egg and natural yoghurt with a little baking powder salt and a pinch of sugar, then add a flavour like , some spice or herbs. chopped apple and berries , banana , hazelnut or sometimes seeds and grated cheese, which is nice with a poached egg and smoked salmon or bacon. The base is lower carb , protein packed , and really easy to cook, and store , freeze or reheat.

Gosh , I think my stomach must be ready for its second breakfast!

[Estellemac in reply to Blearyeyed]

Princess Kate apparently needs lessons in how to do pancakes she should join the charity and we could teach her.

newspaper.mailplus.co.uk/da...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

I love my Le Creuset omelette pancake pan - but you sure as eggs wouldn't be tossing them!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

True... have a griddle pan which is a bit of a handful.

Was washing up large frying pan at son's at weekend.. and he did say "that's a bit heavy mum, can you manage it?".. "not, leave it, I'll do it!"

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Don't be silly!!!! I had the big one too. Gave it to Esca as it works on their induction hob. Mine's a baby one and never washed!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Gave me a workout after he's cooked breakfast.....😏.. I've downsized some of mine casseroles etc as well...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

I just bought an air fryer - brilliant for one! need to explore the cupboards - I seem to have mislaid the sponge tins that would fit in it although I do have perfect individual pie dishes! But the individual lasagne dishes are a perfect fit.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

I’ve been thinking about getting one, let me know how you get on with it please….

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

What I've used it for so far has been excellent - very impressed! They seem to recommend too long and possibly too hot for really good results so don't follow their recipes slavishly but it is fabulous for reheating pizza! Mine is the Philips compact version and there is a NutriU app to download for recipes - the box literally has how to unpack it and switch it on! But the app was what convinced me to try it plus a few YouTube videos - a young US woman with umpteen kids has a brilliant series! Nat has a Lidl/Aldi one - £20 I think she said she paid and she loves it too. It is just the right size to do roasting tin recipe type meals for one. Lot quicker and less electric than doing it in the oven

[Estellemac in reply to DorsetLady]

I've just bought a bigger one . My sister gave me her small one to try out I cooked two eggs in it as an omelette rather use a frying pan but I love it for all kinds of other dishes. Economic with the electric fast and easy no faffing about.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Estellemac]

Thanks... been toying with the idea for ages, so will have to stop faffing about and get one.

[Estellemac in reply to PMRpro]

My Mam never washed a frying pan.............................

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRpro]

I tossed one for luck!Cooking was a joint effort with the OH and Grandma. my youngest , doing all of the tossing .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blearyeyed]

The only one of my grandkids who'd be interested is vegan! I couldn't be bothered yesterday though. Suppose I should have gone out for Kaiserschmarrn - pancakes on steroids ...

[LucilleG in reply to SheffieldJane]

I agree! I have been driven to achieve for as long as I can remember and I have had to realize that with PMR, I cannot continue like this. And like you said, my overachieving ways probably got me here in the first place. At the age of 10, I had my life mapped out - my career as an MD or vet, an olympic athlete, and a wife and mother - all of which I was going to achieve by the age of 25! I'm going to start reading Dr. Gabor Mate's new book, "The Myth of Normal - Trauma, Illness, & Healing in a Toxic Culture".

[karegodd in reply to SheffieldJane]

Amen. After my body forced me to step off the treadmill of my hectic work pace, care giving, stress and toxic work environment in health care I have no desire to ramp up. Having my morning tea and looking out my window watching the birds at the feeders and bush in the background is right up my alley now. ☀️😊

[Mewy in reply to SheffieldJane]

On being less driven. Like you I am working on taking care not to over do things. When I reflect on my life I have embraced taking on more than necessary to put it lightly. I am working at saying no rather than trying to keep up. I am trying to pay attention to my body aches and pains because in the past I just put those things on ignore and soldiered on. I am taking short walks and resting more It appears to me that my first go round with PMR didn't present as a life lesson but this one has made me stand up (no pun intended) and take notice.

[Dochaz]

I fear I am not that driven. I embrace retirement and wouldn't for any money in the world return to the workplace. I can't even imagine how I would have juggled my health issues alongside my work in a middle school dealing with head-splitting decibels, obstreperous teens, demanding parents...I admire enormously those who can do it, though, kudos to them!

[Bluey-1 in reply to Dochaz]

Me neither. Cannot think of anything worse than the daily commute and stress of the workplace. Currently enjoying noticing the snowdrops rear their delicate heads outside our lounge doors

[Dochaz in reply to Bluey-1]

Same here, daffs almost out, camelia in flower, blackbirds singing, blue skies (after the morning fog). If I was still at work I'd have left the house before daylight and returned as the sun was setting, neon lighting all day long 😱

[Hadley1234]

i have 3 different types of Vasculitis..... which was dionosed 3 yearsa ago when i was 68 years ,,,i was working 10 hour shifts at clinics before and taking the dogs out on a 5 miles aday ....i have weaned down to 30mg steroid a day now and feel so so tired i have no energy whats so ever ...any ideas as you seen to have done so well .... my Adrenal Gland id not working which i dont think is helping ,

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hadley1234]

It wouldn't work while you areon 30mg pred - but the pred is plenty to make up for the lack of cortisol. It is under 10mg it becomes a factor.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Hadley1234]

Further to PMRpro’s comments, this explains adrenals and what happens when on steroids -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

so you need to rethink what is causing fatigue….if anything other than a combination of illness and Pred…

[PMR2011 in reply to Hadley1234]

30mg is still quite a dose. You needn’t worry about Adrenals generally until below 10mg. However it sounds like you need to rethink your approach to your energy stores. Would google the Spoon Theory. With several diseases and that much Pred you only have a certain amount of gas in the tank (yep, American). Need to dole it out wisely and rest in between. Might find that helps your diseases improve too. Good luck.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hadley1234]

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk......

includes the Spoon Theory PMR2011 mentions plus other advice on fatigue ...

[Estellemac in reply to PMRpro]

These links are very useful thank you.

[whitefishbay]

So true. We oldies are resilient too which many young people are not. We just keep going.

[Suet3942]

I remember reading an article by Dorothy Byrne when I had started to feel a lot of pain. Everything she said resonated with me and I realised I had pmr which my mother had had. My gp agreed with me and referred me to rheumatology. I went privately to start with because of the waiting time ( which seems nothing these days) and then saw the same consultant under the nhs.