Newbie

[NewPMR]

I hope that this is an okay question to ask! I know that PMR does seem to affect women more than men. Does anybody know whether men recover from this condition quicker than women?

[Charlie1boy]

For sure someone will have the statistics. I only know about myself, and was on on prednisolone for seven and three quarter years. I am male!

[NewPMR in reply to Charlie1boy]

Sorry to hear that, hope you’re well now, different for each person then male or female

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Some studies say yes they do.. but not always.. as Charlie1boy has confirmed.

Would say women in general do seem to be more susceptible to any autoimmune disease - aren’t we the lucky ones! 😏

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It has often been claimed men have a shorter and easier journey - but some don't and some women have very easy journeys. In most things autoimmune, there is a majority of women affected, 80% of patients are female, thought by some to be associated with hormones and having 2 x chromosomes. However, men are more likely to have Ankylosing Spondylitis and Type 1 diabetes which are both autoimmune.

iss.it/documents/20126/4561...

[MiniSpec]

In my case, I'm male, and I've had PMR for 15 years, and been on Pred for 14 years. My rheumi told me that the PMR has gone, but when I tried to reduce my Pred the symptoms came back again, so I reckon I've still got it. I'm still taking 4mg of Pred per day, and will give it another year or so before attempting to reduce again.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MiniSpec]

But what is more likely is that you have the same version of PMR as me - best described, I think, as a relapsing remitting form. It is accepted there are several varieties of MS and some other conditions. Why not with PMR? And why do any of them think they can tell the PMR has burned out?

[MiniSpec in reply to PMRpro]

Good question about how they know the PMR has gone. I was very surprised when she said it, but instantly replied, "Have you told my PMR that?" She wasn't amused, but neither was I. Having gone without seeing a rheumi for more than 13 years, I don't see how she could just announce that my PMR had gone, before she'd even asked me how I am?

As a result I was happy to see the back of her, and I think the feeling was mutual. Luckily for me she wrote a letter to my GP (which I have a copy of) wherin she said she thinks I'll probably be on Pred for life. So hopefully the surgery won't try to pressure me too much to reduce my dosage in the future.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MiniSpec]

Good for you!! And she must have thought again before writing the letter!!

[Francesbarbara]

My husband certainly did. He was off all pred. by 18 months and that is five years ago. I am still on a low dose (1.5mg) after 4.5 years.