Hi all... For the past several weeks I've been lamenting over the humongous amount of weight I've gained (47lbs) in such a short period of time. Just a few minutes ago, I had sorta an epiphany.... I was sitting on the side of my bed feeling embarrassed and depressed....what am I gonna wear today that I'll feel "somewhat" attractive (or even o.k.) in?? I happened to gaze at my suddenly "chubby" arms with dismay when I immediately felt GREATFUL for!! Wow! I've got 2 arms! And hey...looky there!...I've got 2 legs and I can walk (albeit slowly)...BUT, I CAN walk! Maybe this feeling is fleeting....but I just wanted to share it with everyoneđź’• This world is SO crazy, so much ugliness everywhere.... Sometimes we need to just count our blessings.... Just sayin'....
I was trying to think of something to reply to your post about how you are not wanting to see friends because of the weight gain, Lynda. I am glad you have reached a better place regarding the extra weight even if it doesn’t last. I understand what you mean about the weight gain because I felt a bit like that but made up my mind to just get out there and do as much as I could. I realised that I could be a few years older before all the weight drops off and I would have lost that part of my life. Despite the Cushingoid face I made myself do some things I had never done before and had a great time. There have been opportunities that may never come round again and I may have regretted not taking the chance. What we have to remember is true friends love us as we are. A pile of weight is not going to change that and socialising with friends and people whose company we enjoy is good for our mental wellbeing. Not a lecture but a personal observation from my own PMR journey. I hope how you are feeling now will stay with you but human nature being as it is we all fluctuate a bit. Best wishes
Thanks Silver…
I awoke this A.m. to yet another mass shooting here in California.
Besides all the political “junk” (sorry folks, I KNOW this is pmr forum and won’t get on my soapbox) going on right now, everything seems SO dark right now. Maybe part of it’s just me and my frame of mind, but I don’t THINK so!
This has always been my Favorite time of the year…my birthday and the holidays…I’m trying to find the Joy again as I’ve always had!
Yes, this feeling may not last (although I hope to hold on to it for awhile)…but you are certainly correct…if I waste it and shut myself off from family/friends/good times, I’ll be the loser (and so will my loved ones whom I’d be depriving of my smiling face!)
so good to remember the good things and not dwell on what isn’t any more…I have curly hair after 75 years of straight stuff…wlll it disappear with dropping pred…I don’t care just glad I have hair. The weight…wasn’t it dreadful how fast it appeared…seems in two weeks I was filled in the midriff with a hard fat tire. so I wear big shirts to feel better. I am also being good with carbs and sweets and seeing slow results…I have a Gala to go to in 10 days and the dress I struggled to make doesn’t meet when the zipper closeS…so sad as the dress is beautiful and I was looking forward to wearing it. Will keep aware of food intake and maybe after the NY will be rewarded. Keep a smile as it’s easier on the face and eyes than crying. Hugs to US on in our PMR/GCA journeys.
Lynda, you’re great. You have such a warm heart and such a zest for life in spite of all your troubles. That’s what counts, not a bit of extra weight, chubby cheeks or unexpectedly curly hair (or lack of it!). You carry on being you - and that also redresses some of the miseries the world throws up from time to time. Remember for every ghastly act by sad and lost people there are stunning acts of bravery and small acts of kindliness from people living their lives as best they can. I’ll get off my soap box now 
I am ever thankful too - even just waking up but I had a huge incisional hernia repair from top to bottom of my abdomen two years ago with a huge expanse of mesh and it is becoming very painful now the more weight I put on round my middle…so something has to give and I think I have to start a more rapid reductions in the Prednisolone to reduce the weight gain and maybe pay the consequences…am a bit between the devil and the deep blue sea, eh !.
Think I have said before I don’t think I actually have PMR but only time will tell with a quick reduction - will let you know how it goes…I am going to try reducing by 1mg a week…my GP is supporting me, so will let you know how it goes…x
hi Nancy…funny you should mention your curly hair!
I too, have had long, stick-straight hair my entire life.
It’s now course and curly 
.
I’m okay with that (I guess), but tell me…HOW do you take care of it???
Seriously, I’m at a loss. I can hardly comb/brush thru it…and I’ve got LOTS of hair!
I actually had to reschedule an appointment this week as I couldn’t brush my hair! This probably sounds SO pathetic, but it really has become a problem. of course, the fact I’ve got pmr related problems in my hands/arms/shoulders, makes the problem 2x worse!
have you any suggestions?
btw…hope you have a Great time at your Gala and you’ll probably look gorgeous!
Dearest Celia…thank you for your VERY kind words!!!
Been watching the news all day and you are SO right about the kind acts of others…so many folks are coming forth to assist with helping the victims and their families affected by this latest mass shooting…so hopeful to see!
when we open our hearts to other’s dispare, it often makes our own troubles pale…
missmagwumps…I’m so sorry to hear of your latest troubles.
please do keep me posted about how you’re doing.
it’s so amazing to me how I’ve become so invested in my pmr/cyber buddies​
lynda hi there
you are definitely in the right company regarding pmr … unfortunately all of us are in the same boat …we understand you completely dear..
regarding you hair.. try putting loads of hair conditioner and then use an anti tangle hair brush ..This brush is designed specially for children who have long tangled hair..
hope this helps. STAY STRONG…you are not alone …
Hi Lynda, totally get what you are saying! I appreciate that you shared because it does remind us to be grateful.
I did the same today with blurry vision, thank the lord that I can see
I can understand why it is difficult to feel upbeat, Lynda, when there is so much happening in your country aside from the PMR etc with which you are having to cope. On this side of the Pond we find it shocking and sad.
My granddaughter has long curly hair and conditioner and an anti tangle brush definitely works, though it takes ages and it has to be done a section at a time.
I am about to ditch the carbs again to lose some weight. Eileen is right. It works and my body is now reacting to wheat. I can only assume it’s the Pred. I hope you have success with your hair.
Glad you’re in a better place. How about printing your post and re-reading it if you find your priorities slipping?
A really good cut is essential - and not one designed for a blow dry. Experiment with conditioners and wash it less often. You’ll get the hang of it - but the cut is basic!
Hi lyndyloo
I’ve written a poem for you,
As I lament my lot in life,
With all the worries and the strife,
I suddenly thought, hey wait a minute
It could be worse and realised, it’s
not so bad,
So i will no longer be sad.
I have my life, my arms and legs,
For food and warmth i do not beg,
I have family and friends,
whose love never ends.
So i’m kinda blessed every day,
So PMR you will not get your way,
Preds you will soon be miles away,
The weight will be gone in a while,
I really do have reason to smile,
So hey, the future’s bright,
so i want to say,
“Thank you Lord for another day”
Keep smiling lynda don’t let this malady weigh you down and impact on your lovely lively, humour and personality…you are stronger than that…huge good thoughts and best wishes..
I was thrilled to bits to get curly hair having had straight, fine hair all my life so far. It did start to look like a very dry haystack to start with so I had it cut short and it really worked. Just a quick blow dry and people say how young I am looking!
hiya Mary…1st, lyndyloo is cute, but truth be told, it’s Lynda-sue!
2) I’m absolutely overwhelmed ( and over the moon ) that you took the time and made the effort to create a poem for me!!..
I’ve written poetry my entire life, and to think someone did so for me…well, I’ve got no words except THANK YOU​
.
it’s now Friday am here, and along with the mass shooting and the incredibly dark political climate, our state (California) is on fire…quite literally, one whole city (ironically named Paradise) has been completely destroyed!!
So yeah, there’s alot goin on right now…and for someone like me who cares/feels SO deeply about Everything…it’s alot to take in!
thank you Mare for your kindness (as usual)! I wish we lived close and could meet!
P.s…I meant to say…I’ve written poetry my entire life, so can Really Appreciate the time and effort that goes into it!..
A quick update…for the past several hours my eyes have been watering profusely, my nose is stuffy, and my throat is RAW!..all due to the wildfires! it’s Crazy, scary right now!
Hi lynda
Try to stay in doors try and stock up so you wont have to go out, if you do have to go out wear goggles and a mask. That’s how i have to do gardening because of pollen allergy. When i first moved here my poor neighbor thought the aliens had landed..haha! but it did the trick. You have your op in 3 days so be careful with your eyes.
I know the occurrences at your end of the pond is not helping with your PMR the last thing you want is stress, due to your adrenals being handicapped by pred right now. The shootings are very scary. While US have shootings, UK are dealing with many stabbing situations particularly in the London area, there have been several around South Wales area also. Wow! this world is sooo stressful one thing after the other.
Keep strong Linda-Sue, we have to be with our health issues and world issues it affects us all. Thinking of you in California…God be with you all…
mare…I think I may have miscommunicated my surgery date…it’s actually on 12/10!..sorry…
the goggles are a good idea. right now, I’m "popping throat lozenges like Crazy! my throat is RAW!!!