Why after 2 years with PMR have I now gone from muscle discomfort to knee and shoulder pain?

Mine stsrted with shoulders, neck and hips.  Neck pain resolved quickly, but kness became involved at 3-4 months along.

At 8 months, the soles of my feet became very sore for a few months, then it was my thumb joints and wrists that became painful.

Lastly, I developed a painful ribcage area at 1-1/2 years along, made sneezing a painful experience. As I taper down to 5mg or so, the various symptoms re-awaken and force me to take a higher dose.  Hours spent exercising (cycling) allow me to use a smaller dose. I am at 2 years along now. Eating less carbohydrate also seems to help.

PMR-caused issues tend to be symmetric, i.e. both shoulders, both feet, etc.

Blood tests can determine if there is osteo-arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis involvement.

Stretching may be good of course- try it carefully.

With my Temporal Arteritis hopefully no pain associated with, I started having since the beginning, a lack of balance- called ATAXIA.

I do stretching a leg at a time as I sit on my comfortable arm chair and stretch my legs on a stool the same height as my arm chair! Very comfortable regardless and good for the circulation, too.

I have a long neck vibrator with a round puffy pad on the other extremity, called Acuvibe bought here in Atlanta at Brookstone time ago.

This electric vibrator is much more effective than any manual massage, believe me!

As I said I don't have any pain however

those same kind of massages and the stretching may help you, too, Leonard.

Get help, get better as soon as you can!

Take care

I had knee pain and lower leg discomfort as one of the last of the symptoms of PMR before I was diagnosed. For me, the symptoms started with a Bakers Cyst behind the knee and a slight fever and then stiff shoulders, neck, ribs and upper thighs (groin area) and pain. The stiffness and the pain got worse and worse and after 4 months, the wrists started hurting and selling, and a finger got so bad I couldn't bend it at all and then finally, the pain got to the knees with a feeling of thickness and heaviness in the calves. Thank God I got diagnosed at that point and the 20 mg Prednisone took care of all within a few days.

Now, 2 years later and down to 4 mgs, I experienced a sort of mini flare yesterday, with aching in knees, lower legs, neck and extreme fatigue. I was very very tired from an excess of pre-Christmas activity lack of sleep. The symptoms are gone today after a rest in the afternoon, yesterday and a good night's sleep. I still have some aching in the back of the neck, but only on the left side, so probably a pull of some kind and not PMR. (I freak out when any aches happen ). I also have an ongoing pain at the base of my right thumb, but attribute it to OA, as it clicks with certain movements.

Exercise is helpful to me. I have always exercised and my rheumy tells me to keep doing it to maintain strength and bone density. Here is my exercise routine: Yoga daily (at home) for about 1/2 an hour, which consists of mostly stretching, balance and strength building.  I walk every day for about 30-40 minutes, do a lot standing up activity (cooking, painting, etc.) and use a Concept II Rower and row about 3 kilometers every other day.

I took yoga classes for a number of years (beginning at age 50) at a specific yoga center that teaches the poses in such a way as to not hurt oneself. I can contact you with the name of the type of yoga. The schools are all over the world and teach by level, so that you learn the basics in Level 1 and move on to Level II and then as you get stronger, you might move to a higher level. Most people stay at Level II. The basic concept is to learn a pose within your own physical limitations and using props, such as wall, chairs, blocks and straps, if necessary. For yoga, I would caution anybody to not push the body or involve the ego. As with anything, moderation, correct alignment and gentleness is key.

Otherwise, I sleep 7-8 hours a night, with occasional nights of insomnia. Try to drink 64 oz of water daily, in addition to coffee, tea and some wine.

I am 69 years old and retired November 13 (finally and happily).

Good luck to you,

Paula