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Diagnosed with PMR 2 1/2 years ago. How do I manage the extreme pain?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jun 1, 2023 | Replies (86)Comment receiving replies
Hello @asklizzie, Welcome to Connect. Yes, there are a lot of us members who struggle with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). I have had 2 occurrences of PMR myself but it is currently in remission and has been for almost 2 years. My treatment for both occurrences was started at 20 mg prednisone. The first time it took me 3 years to taper off. The second time it took about a year and a half.
Have you been newly diagnosed with PMR?
Replies to "Hello @asklizzie, Welcome to Connect. Yes, there are a lot of us members who struggle with..."
yes , I have a year and half ago , primarily for arm pain and hip pain in the AM , went on prednisone and it helped. I have been okay and have actually had a TKR. went well , However at this time I have severe pain in my neck , near the ear area , and tolerable pain in one upper arm , and severe pain in shoulder area , which is a burning stabbing pain , don't now if its PMR again ... HELP
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Hi john, thanks for reaching out to me. Yes, I was diagnosed officially this past November. I woke up one morning in October with this extreme pain in my lower back on both sides. I thought I was having sciatica issues like before but the pain was unfamiliar. This went on for a few weeks with the pain expanding to my shoulders, knees. Etc. I finally went to my primary for blood work. Weirdly for me, my panels were all negative for rheumatoid and other matters. My test result were fine, but, because my complaints were so familiar to my doctor, she pre diagnosed me with PMR and sent me to an RA specialist. My first visit with the RA was just a consult. She was hesitant to label my problem as PMR because I was too young as she said and don’t fit any of the demographics. See, I’m a 51 year old African American woman whose otherwise super healthy. They wanted me to take prednisone but I refused to do so until she officially diagnosed me. While waiting for my next appointment and results of additional blood work, I began to do more research on PMR and steroids and didn’t like what I saw. I don’t like the fact of getting my body conditioned to a drug like that. I have anxiety issues with steroids and just know it will require additional drugs and so forth. Anyway, I decided not to take the drugs and try other things for now. I have found that THC and CBD helps me a lot. I live in California where it’s legal so I’m able to try it without fear. I just wanted to connect with people like me because I don’t think outsiders truly understand. Not sure how long I will last without drugs but I’m willing to see. It’s super weird that I have it in the first place.
Thanks for listening.