I have had a new flare-up of polymyalgia, and the symptoms are somewhat different this time.

In 2011 I was diagnosed with PMR shortly after my mother passed away. I had the classic symptoms: severe aches and stiffness and weakness across my back, shoulders, and thighs. It took months for a diagnosis, including visits to a neorologist and orthopedist, who had no idea what it was. A final visit to my internist resulted in a diagnosis in minutes. I started on a regimen of prednisone 20 mg, and finally tapered off after 2 years, during which I gained a lot of weight and developed the typical "moonface," which did nothing to eleviate my general feeling of depression.

Now, 4 years after my initial diagnosis, it has recurred. I had knee surgery in early March, traveled north to visit our children in April, suffered a serious allergic reaction to all the emerging spring pollen, and returned home with bronchitis. Shortly thereafter, both my legs, from my thighs to my feet, began aching terribly. Weakness followed. That's when I realized that it was polymyalgia once again, but affecting my most vulnerable area, the knee on which I had surgery. I am now back on prednisone, and am trying to keep the dosage under 15 mg. We'll see. 

I truly believe that my first bout with PMR was triggered by the stress surrounding my mother's passing. This time i suspect that allergies and /or bronchitis may have been the cause. Has anyone else had such an experience?

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