Not models but just an fyi

[Jim Kraft]

I do not know how many of you have polymyalgia rhumatica, but after a year of looking the doctor finally put me on cortisone which is the only thing that works. I have had four heart echo's, four lung xrays, many blood cultures, and many other tests before they decided that I had it. I would go from almost not being able to walk, to almost feeling normal. I have had back problems for many years, but this was different. My legs would get so weak I could hardly stand up.

I am recuperating slowly. When they started me on cortisone, they gave me to much, and I felt great for two days, then I started to down hill from there. It has been a long battle. I am hoping that by spring I will be able to fly again. At least I know all by bodily functions otherwise are working great. My heart is working great after surgery four years ago, and every time they do an echo it looks better than the time before. They said my lungs look like a 24 year old athlete that has never smoked, and I have been a light smoker of Camels all my life.

Anyway, If you start having back and leg problems, go from sweating to being cold, to many other signs of weakness, have your doctor check your blood sedimentation rate and your white count. That is where it shows up. It is usually something that happens to people after 70 years old.

[Chancey Chorney]

Glad to hear that you have it sorted out, and are on a seemingly good road to recovery.

[Jim Kraft]

Thanks Chancey; Just part of living that these things happen. We still live in a fallen world. I am amazed at how medical science has come so far, and yet has no cure for the common cold. One thing about it, I have been able to do other things while I have been laid up. So it has not been for nothing. I still thank God everyday for the good things He has done for me. At 76 years old I can look back and see what He has done. I stand amazed. Trouble comes but He delivers us from them all.

[Terry Caron]

Good news that they've sorted it out, Jim, and I hope you recover quickly and fully.
At 70, I'm blessed with good health (arguably undeservedly) and you're one of the "old guys" () on the forum whose activity constantly encourages me that I'm not too old to try getting back into the circle. 
God bless in the New Year.

[pipemakermike]

Hi Jim
I also have PMR and the symptoms were similar to yours but mainly the aching in the big muscles - hard to put a coat on - hard to stand up after sitting for a while etc.
The treatment here in the UK is to give a large dose of a steroid initially and then taper it down to a sustainable level, in my case it was prednisolone and I think that I started off at 20mg/day decreasing by 1mg/day to 10mg/day and then I stayed on 10mg for a couple of years. Since then I have managed the dose down to 5mg/day - I reduced the dose by 1mg/week until I felt the symptoms returning.
It is worth mentioning that I had already been diagnosed with type 2 Diabeties for a few years and had got that under control by losing weight but the steroid made the weight return.
It also is worth mentioning that steroids mess with the bodies process that manages the calcium in bones - I think that it inhibits the bodies ability to return calcium to the bones to replace the natural depletion so care should be taken to have plenty of calcium in the diet (I drink milk)

[john e. holliday]

Hey Jim, take care of your self and get well.  I need some one to push me in competition.  I know it's the other way around me taking the last place position.  I'm down to one little brown pill once a day and need to work on my balance some more.  Nothing like going face first into a mud when you stub your toe.  The demented poodle just stood there looking at me.  Of course I bounced back up and had to apologize to my LORD and Savior for my attitude of the moment.

[Jerry Higgins]

Glad you improving, Jim.  Take care of yourself and God Bless!

Jerry Higgins

[Steve Helmick]

My father was on Prednisone for evil headaches that often afflict folks with N. European heritage. After some years, he had a heart attack and emergency quad bypass. When the surgeon was wiring his breast bone back together, he just jammed the stainless wire through the bone. Usually, they drill holes...the Prednisone took all the calcium out of his bones. He was in the hospital for about 3 months. Not good, but he didn't remember any of it.

It seems to me like it would be good to take a calcium supplement, but I believe my wife got tested recently for calcium levels...maybe a good idea to get tested periodically? Might ask about that, anyway?

Good to hear that you're improving, Jim....have a great 2017!!!   Steve

[James Lee]

Jim
Great to hear you are doing better!!    Hopefully we can see you this summer embarrassing us with your  Beautiful Magician and great running sparkers!!
Jim

[B Norton]

Glad to hear your doing better hopefully get to see you and Lova this coming year sure have missed you guys

[Jim Kraft]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I also had what they call giant cell arteritis which affects the  muscles  in the face. My jaw hurt so bad I could hardly chew a hamburger without waiting a while. Since I had that, they started me off on 60mg. It was to large a dose, and I had to slowly come down from there. I am now down to 15mg and am doing better, but still no where I want to be. All the other organs are working great. My legs still feel like rubber and still back and hip pain.

I love my Lazy Boy. My wife bought two of them when she retired 30 years ago. I love that women. There were a few nights I could not sleep at least not in bed. I slept a little in my chair and even when I did not sleep at least I was comfortable. All in all I believe I am finally on the mend. I go in in a few more days to let the vampire lady in the lab draw more blood to see where I am. I am hoping they will drop the Prednisone again.

Thanks for your thought and prayers. You guys are the best.

[Jim Kraft]

Part of the craziness of Prednisone is that it raises your pulse rate and makes me hyper. I have lost 10 pounds instead of gaining. Those who know me know that I am not hyper at all. My normal heart rate is around 45 to 55. Now it is up to over a hundred at times. I have seen it at 111. Since I have never been like that, my wife says I have become a chaty cathy. I use to not say much, but now I rattle off at the mouth like mr. hyper himself. I have no control over it. It just happens. I have become another person that I do not like very well. What happened to me, the guy that use to be slow and unassuming has gone wild. LOL

Just shows how different people have different reactions to the same medication. My sedimentation rate went from 47 to 6 in one week. My white count went from 19,000 to 15,000 in the same week.

A normal sedimentation rate is 20 to 25, and a normal white count is around 11,000.

So if they can get me to normal with a small dose of Prednisone I should be good. The doctor is working on it. I am ready to get over this stuff.

In all medications to much is not good, and to little is not good. When we find that happy place I will be good. I am so looking forward to it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL YOU CONTROL LINE GUYS AND GALS. YOU ARE THE BEST OF BEST.