Bernice
I empathize with all of you who are suffering from this disease. I don't know what is worse, having PMR or having to take Prednisone and suffering from the aftereffects of that drug. I am 73 yrs. old. I got PMR when I was 71. There was no known stress that caused the disease but it came on overnight. In the morning I could barely move. My sed rate was high normal, i.e. it was 22 mm. Normal is 0-20 I believe. After three days of taking Prednisone I was almost without pain. The doctor started me on 30 mg. per day and cut it back until now, after 20 months, I am taking 6 mgms. This seems to be my maintenance dose. If I go any lower the pain and tiredness return. Hopefully, I will be able to go down on my dosage soon. Complications have been severe. I had to take 60 mgms. for a while because of Giant Cell Areritis. Then I developed lung emboli twice in the past year. I now have to take blood thinners and the doc says it will be for the rest of my life. This is a "yucky" disease but hang in there, I am leading a fairly normal life now with very little pain. I have to take an acid inhibitor for Esophogeal reflux. Expensive, but effective. It is important to have a good doctor. If anyone wants to discuss this disease with me I would be happy for your E-mails. hbyoung@telus.net.