Given in to it.

I felt like that also - my husband thought I was as he put it losing the plot.  However on the good side my granddaughter always wanted to do her driving L plates with me as I didn't care if we crashed or not ( unlike her mother who was always uptight). I told her it was up to her to listen to me but that she was in charge and I think it made her a better driver as Grandma didn't care.  As I reduced I'm now at 4mg and 17months into PMR I feel my mind has come back and I think the" don't care" part is our bodies telling us not to stress about anything as it trying to heal.  Just go with the flow - its just us and PMR. Maybe try yoga.

I've always been in awe of those of you who have to work whilst suffering from PMR.  I'm sure you will feel much better as a result of taking time off if the experience of others who have done this is anything to go by.  It's nigh impossible for anyone who has never experienced PMR and walked in our shoes to ever understand what it is like.  Don't worry about them, just concentrate on yourself, giving yourself lots of TLC and put yourself first for a change. 

Hi Flipover,

I think it is a very wise decision to take some time off from work.   I tried during the beginning to work fewer days but even found that to much.  We (our bodies and minds) are going through so much with PMR, and all the adjustments we need to make, that we need to focus on ourselves.  For a lot of us that is difficult in itself.  Just rest and be very good to yourself.

As far as what others think is wrong with us - at first I was reluctant to say anything about PMR but now, for the people I am close to, I try and explain a little because it really is an invisible disease (or disorder or what ever you want to call it) and some people  want to understand what has happened to me.  I tell people I have PMR, an autoimmune disease, and that I take prednisone to treat the inflammation in my muscles that causes pain so bad that I couldn't get out of bed or dress myself.  Most people know about prednisone and that it's a bit of a scary drug so they then know I have something "serious" or I wouldn't be taking it.  I also tell them there are many other symptoms, the worst being fatigue and the inability to concentrate or focus. I also let them know that I have good days and not so good days and hope they understand.  With this explanation I have found everyone to be understanding and caring.

Sorry for the long spiel but you asked😋.

I hope you continue to feel better and get some good R & R.

Hugs, Diana🌸

Brain probs? PMR and pred. Definitely both and it improves as time goes on - I'm back to normal (as evidenced by managing 3 forums and facebook at once...) And I just packed a suitcase with less clothes than I used to because choosing sent me into a meltdown!

Byeeeeeee - see you in 3 weeks to hear how you enjoyed your holiday! ;-)

I hate the 'well you look normal' statement to.  I totaly lost the plot one day when a particulary offisive woman said 'there can't be much wrong with you as you smile all the time, must be drunk!' and this said in the company of my club.  Lost it and shaking told her everything in front of the company she had just belitled me infront of.  Since then she has educated herself on my various conditions and has become the font of all knowledge lol.  Still it's better than being labled lazy :D

 

Hand all your friends and relatives - even your doctor/practice nurse - a copy of 'The Spoons Theory' by Christine Miseriando. Google it!  CM actually has Lupus, an immune system illness with similar characteristics to PMR, but her sudden idea of using spoons to describe how she felt is brilliant!! It has helped many people on this site.  I use/have used the 'spoons' to put some order into my life.  When the 'spoons' have gone, they've gone!!  No more that day! Try it!

C. 💐

There is a DVD called 'You are not Alone'  and a booklet called 'Living with PMR & GCA'.

go to this link on this site and take a look.

http://www.patient.co.uk/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316

made specifically for showing to family and friends and

Being a self employed builder with no sickness benefits available to me, no company sick pay or basic state statutary sickness benefit I was unable to take time off work. Doing not light manual work whilst suffering PMR is not the ideal situation to be in because the body has no chance of repairing the dammage caused and more dammage is likely to happen. 

Whoever coined the phrase "Hard work doesn't hurt you" was either an idiot or had never tried it themself. With PMR it doesn't just hurt, it nearly kills.