How did your PMR start ?

Mine started at age 66.  I worked as a tennis official and noticed, in March, that I had pains in my shoulders and back and didn't have the energy and stamina that was normal.  Gradually the pains went to wrists, ankles and knees and stamina was getting worse and worse.  It took until July for the doctors to diagnose PMR and put me on pred.  Took very little time for the pred to releive me of the pains but the stamina, energy, vision problems, etc. made me quit working by the next March.  

I'm not sure if a few prior events were contributing factors, but in May I had an inflamed bursa, finally relieved by depra-medrol injections, pain after  5 mile 3hour kayaking in one position, went for PT, death of a brother 9/1 followed by sister's anger taken out on me, then 9/10 we flew to Spain for a 2 wk tour, on 2nd day I took a serious fall, terrible pain for which I took naprosyn 550mg. twice a day to get through the tour.  Many side effects as large amount of pitting edema in feel and ankles.  Returned to USA after tour and a 7 hour cramped plane ride, still in pain from fall. Sister still giving me a difficult time.   Then, I couldn't move my arms without terrible pain, I couldn't reach for anything, I could hardly get dressed, couldn't get out of bed, or into bed, couldn't get off the toilet, I could not function, had to cancel MD appts. because I would never be able to get in the car. Called my MD who ordered lab tests for the next day, also ordered the 6 day prednisone pak to start after the lab work the next day; he said he thought I had PMR!  The lab work was basically OK, but after taking the doses of prednisone, I became so much more functional by the evening, like a miracle.  I began to feel stiffer by the last day of the pred when I only had 2 mg.   The next day I was dx and started on 40 mg. 1 month, now reduced to 30mg. until March 30,  and fully functional!    Along with the precipitating factors above, I attribule mine to enormous amounts of stress.  I do experience several annoying side effects of the pred, but I can deal with that since I'm able to function and would never want to go back to the   pain, stiffness and discomfort. I feel fortunate that I got a fairly prompt dx!

I know no reason why my post was moderated.  They should re read it and then post it.  El

Searing pain in my shoulders/neck and hip region came on suddenly one night very close to my 65th birthday.

Six months prior to that I had a couple of falls, doing damage in both those areas which I went to a Chiropractor for treatment.

In the months before the onset of pain, I had developed a never ending cough I could not get rid of. Then daily 'old man phlegm' arrived

I was aware of rapidly dwindling energy levels for at least 6 months before the onset of pain. In hindsight I realise I had been fading away mentally and physically for months.

Mentally I was in a good space for a couple of years prior to PMR

Physically I was working out of doors in good clean air. I have had Fibromyalgia for 19 years, but had learned how to live with it.

I had never had a flu vaccine previous to the onset of PMR. My Dr did convince me to have one this year, but it was after PMR diagnosis.

Good question Veronica

PMR is not a virus. It is an autoimmune dsorder that in my opinion is triggered in the gut. For what reason i don't know. Could be diet?.

Why do four times as many women get as men.?

At 63 i came back from shopping and it seem to hit in half an hour. Lay in bed for three days in agony. Couldn't even get to the doctor. Called ambulance and had to crawl up the hall on hands and knees to get to stretcher.

Started to Pred two years ago 50mg per day. Down to quarter of mg per day.trying to make the big step and get off pred. Too scared.