Hi there. Three years ago I was hit by PMR and went to hell and back with it. Spanish doctors said it was just old age and to take some paracetamol. Then, when that had virtually no effect, they put me on Tramadol, a very strong pain killer for acute cancer patients. Didn't work for long enough. Then the Spanish police twice threatened me with a fine of 600 euros if they saw me out of the house again during lockdown. I explained I was out seeking medical attention and they disbelieved me. Then a third time at my local surgery a middle aged doctor dickhead told me my condition was not an emergency and to get out or he would call the police to remove me! Eventually, my wife who was at home in Japan Googled my symptoms and said it’s PMR, you need urgent attention, I have booked you on a flight back home to Japan today.

In Japan they were brilliant. The local doctor recognised PMR just from my struggle to move. He immediately put me on steroids and Bingo, four horrible weeks (three in Japanese quarantine) of the most intense pain disappeared. The problem was the steroids increased my blood sugar and I had to take Insulin injections. I also got Moon face and other unpleasant side effects.

The final remedy was/is a weekly injection, self administered, is an incredible drug called Actemera. Steroids gone, PMR/GCA well under control. Great that like me you wrote about it. The more people know the better. Well done.

My PMR/GCA has been well under control for three years now, and it is all down to Actemera. Please get on it, it will transform your life. Also, have a healthy diet and regular exercise. Every day I walk 3km and cycle another 3km.

The only down side to Actemera is the price, about 250 dollars a shot. Mine is subsidised by the government and covered by private health care. It still costs me, but only about 25 dollars a shot.