Today we have a PMR success story to encourage those suffering from Polymyalgia Rheumatica. There is an end in sight!
Thank you, Tracy, for allowing this site to publish your account to inspire others!
Tracy's PMR Story
I wanted to thank everyone for being warriors in your struggles and brave enough to share your experiences. You have all helped me immensely.
I hope you trust me and read this long post. It's my turn to help someone else. Maybe a step I've taken would benefit someone.
I was diagnosed with PMR the month I turned 51. I was put on 25 mg of the beautiful poison Prednisone.
Two weeks later, the dose was upped to 40mg. Instant relief!
It was then HIGHLY recommended that I begin Methotrexate as well, which I decided was not for me.
I experienced every possible Prednisone side effect; extreme hair loss, thinning skin, weight gain, bruising, breaking teeth, thermal nuclear sweats 1 minute and arctic freezing cold shivers the next, sleeplessness, irrational irritability, emotional rollercoaster...you name it, I experienced it.
When I couldn't take it any longer, I asked my Rheumy, "what else can I do"?
Again she pushed Methotrexate ... again, I refused.
We agreed I would TRY physical therapy.
I went to PT 3 times a week for the past year. My program included deep tissue/muscle therapy, aquatic therapy, and myofascial release therapy.
TOTAL game changer for me!
I walked into the clinic that first day struggling to move and in tears. I walked out yesterday after my last appointment with pep in my step! (hooray!)
I am now armed with tips and tricks and exercises I will do every day to keep my muscles and tissue loose and fluid. I can now even feel the beginning stages of inflammation starting to set in, and I can combat it. I am able to stop it in its tracks!
I've been tapering off Prednisone slowly since December, and 3 months ago, I decided I was done and wanted off this ride!
I was determined to discover why this was happening. Why did my body do this? Was it something I was doing, something I was eating and ingesting?
WHAT was it?
In May, I began my quest to find a cause by cutting out soda, removing most gluten, dairy, and carbohydrates, and switching some of the harsh chemicals I was using to clean my home.
In June, I began a daily regimen of liquid collagen, green tea, and Relief Factor. I am happy to say that I am now down to 3mg of Prednisone and planning to cut down another .5 mg beginning next week.
Although I experience twinges each day, and my body lets me know when it's had enough, I am now at the point where I can live my life again! I'm not where I was before this all started, but I'm fighting my way back
I wish you all strength through your fight
Tracy