Newly diagnosed and overwhelmed
Posted , 17 users are following.
hi all, I'm a 67 year old woman and was diagnosed with PMR yesterday. I'm looking for an active forum with people willing to listen and share stories and suggestions how to best cope with this fresh hell that has taken over my life.
here's my story
I was a very active and fit senior going to gym 5 days a week and able to do any physical activity. I spent all day May 12th preparing the house exterior for painting. I was up and down a ladder with scrub brush, pressure washer and bucket of cleaning solution working hard all day as rain was coming the next day. I was tired but not sore. Two days later I woke up in the middle of the night in agony, unable to move. pain was in both knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. since then I haven't been able to get out of bed unaided, unable to dress myself, forget trying to sit on toilet. after many visits to doctors they settled on the polymyalgia rheumatica diagnosis. started on 20 mg prednisone with follow up doctor in one week.
I've read a bit on the web and not thrilled to join the PMR club.
anyone out there have success stories of completely regaining their previous levels of activity?
anyone have suggestions for the speediest recovery possible?
any helpful sources of information?
thanks in advance for any responses? I am feeling overwhelmed and alone struggling to wrap my head around all this
2 likes, 19 replies
nancy02150 OregonHazel
Posted
I had to learn to live with it and not agrevate the body more. Take the naps morning and afternoon. in bed by 9 and don't ignore your fatigue. you body tells you what you can and can't do without rest. I'm not happy with pmr either and i have gca as well.....make the best of a poor situation. It has taken me at least a year to accept and stop fighting with what is here for who knows how long. do things, but don't overdo things.change your attitude is my best advice...work with your body for the better
Silver49 nancy02150
Posted
That's what I did though my naps consisted of nodding off on the sofa. I was seldom in bed before 10. Your body will eventually get better and manage more. I am now on 1mg and have the energy I would have hoped for and had before PMR. I can remember feeling down because I felt so sore and tired if I overdid it in the early stages. It passed but feels as though it never will at the time. I made up my mind to accept it until it passed. I think it was the only way I could cope or I would have become even more frustrated.
nancy02150 OregonHazel
Posted
Right on Silver49...adapt and control your life in dong so. hugs to all us PMR people.
nancy02150 OregonHazel
Posted
get meds for depression if you feel weepy....don't delay. Life is much better when I take the meds for depression. just the bare minimum for awhile. adapt and accept are the bywords.