I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) back in April this year due to an accident at work.

I damaged the muscle at the top of my leg at work, by lifting boxes on March the 8th 2006.  A couple of days later I was in agony with the pain in the muscles in both legs.  I took this to be the result of my good leg over compensating for the damaged one.  As the week went on, my arms and shoulders were beginning to give me problems as well.

I continued to struggle whilst in severe pain until eventually I had to see my GP.  My doctor examined me and informed me that the muscles at the top of my leg were badly inflamed.  A series of blood tests showed that I did in-fact have the disease PMR and the inflammation had spread all over my body…..

What a horrible disease PMR is!  It usually strikes people over 50 years of age.  It is very painful and attacks all the large muscles in the body.  It can come on without any warning and can either go just as quick, or can be with you permanently.  It is usually treated with Prednisolone (steroids).

For anyone who has ever suffered with PMR you will know how painful this disease is.  It makes you feel very ill and resembles being hit by a steamroller.  One person who had the disease commented that it was like having toothache all over the body.  I think I would agree with him.  At my worst I could not stand up or walk and felt like my whole body was suffering a severe bout of the flu. 

Un-till February 2006 (this year), I was super fit, didn't suffer colds or flu and felt extremely healthy.  This disease has hit me with a vengeance!  I am glad that I was fit, I  feel that it helped me to start to get better quickly, once I began the steroids.   

I now take each day as it comes.  One day I can feel very good, the next I feel quite poorly again, but I will not give in to it.  I am a great believer in mind over matter and positive thinking and hope this will help me to cope with this horrible illness in the coming months as it could be some time before I finally get free of it.

Any information, feedback or comments on Polymyalgia Rheumatica would be greatly appreciated.  This disease is not well known, you can have good days, as well as bad days therefore, people do not understand how ill you can feel or actually be.  It is like having a silent disease, that no one has ever heard of!

I will keep you informed as I hope my recovery will be sooner rather than later………….
   
Thank you
THE EDITOR