Came down with it 6 weeks ago. I thought it might be a nerve problem in neck which I've had twice especially when my neck got stiff with pain 2 weeks ago. My son-in-law said it sounded like something else and had me get a CRP test. Had a high reading, 5 times normal. He had me start Prednisone 2 days ago and about 65-75% of the pain is gone. I have no history of PMR and have been very healthy walking 7-9 miles a day. I take Glucosamine/Chondritin daily.

I lifted a sofa for a friend last year and two days later my hips started hurting. This was so painful. I thought I had pulled a muscle because I never had pain and had always been healthy. One year later I went to my doctor and had X-rays and blood tests. We consulted with a specialist and was finally diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) diagnosed. It hurts when I get up from a sitting position or when I lay down. My doctor suggested a steroid, but the side effects scare me. I am currently taking 800 mg of Ibuprofen two times a day. Are there any natural treatments?

Age does not seem to be a barrier to PMR. I am a very fit 49 year old male. Or I was. I used to run 5 miles every day for 20 years. Then I woke up one morning recently and couldn't move for a "whole body pain." I couldn't dress or move. In fact, I dreaded waking during the night for fear of the pain. Upon investigation my ESR was raised to 55 and I was started on a course of Prednisolone. 15mg initially, reducing gradually. This works but the side effects are not pleasant. The only medication that works, oral steroids, is prohibited by the Civil Aviation Authority and this means that I am now unable to work as an airline pilot.

I was diagnosed with pmr two and a half years ago after initially diagnosed with temporal arthritis, I started off on 30mg of prednisolone gradually reducing over a long period to 5mg daily any lower and I started with the muscle pains again my lower back shoulders, hips and legs when walking the dog going up any incline was torture. I have regular blood tests and am seeing a rheumatologist the day after writing this to see if I can have something other than prednisolone.

I am a 43-year-old woman and have been suffering with one-sided back pain for more than six years. My family doctor has diagnosed me with polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR). I take Savella twice a day for the pain. It seems to work OK, but my back is always so tight and knotty.

About 4 years ago I was having a deep ache and pain in my shoulders and neck. Eventually the aching was all over. I could not sleep because every position made me hurt all over. I went to the doctor and she treated me for flu-like symptoms. I started thinking about my mother having PMR and how hard it was to diagnose. She went to 5 doctors before a rheumatologist ran a sed rate and then told her what she had. I called the doctor when I was still feeling awful and asked if that could be what I had. I was told "no" in no uncertain terms. Finally, on the weekend when I felt so bad I couldn't stand it, I went to the ER of the hospital where I work. I told the doctor of my concerns and he agreed with me. He ran a sed rate and CRP. Both were elevated. I was prescribed Prednisone and told to get to a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist put me on prednisone therapy and after a few weeks I was feeling much better. The treatment continued for about one year. I have had several re-occurrences but they seem to be confined to my head and jaw area.