NEW to PMR diagnosis

This was concerning to me about the two limiting medical conditions. I’m glad you shared this.
Just tonight I thought I would propose 3 options to the surgeon:
1. Don’t start PMP treatment and do surgery.
2. Start PMP treatment (10mg max) and do surgery.
3. Postpone surgery until PMP gone or in remission.
After you shared your experience I may need to eliminate #1!

Dad cue
I had another bad night sleep and woke up thinking screw the TKR and start pain relief (prednisone). Unfortunately it’s Saturday and can’t talk to my doc until Monday. Contemplating starting today with 10mg/day or waiting until Monday. I’m thinking I want to get rid of the PMR before TKR. I have 10 days for the surgeon to decide whether to encourage the surgery with the prednisone in my system.
Right now I just want to feel better. Maybe I’ll change my mind when I feel better.

Hi @weten2
I had PMR which became GCA for a year before diagnosis; also knee surgery for severed ligaments when I was in my late 20s. Both are painful conditions. The knee pain localized, the PMR body-wide from the neck down for me at least.
Did your physician diagnose your PMR? Have you spoken to her/him about your upcoming surgery and the impact it could have on your symptoms?
Are you currently taking prednisone?
Surgery can cause an inflammatory response in the body, but prednisone controls inflammation.
Maybe your doctor can consult with the surgeon and a rheumatologist as well and they can figure out the best course of action for you.
Good luck.

I’m stepping back a little and maybe get another opinion on the PMR diagnosis possibly by a RA. I haven’t gone on prednisone yet other than the two day 50mg diagnostic test. I’m most likely going to postpone surgery until I get confirmation or cure/remission.
Haven’t talked to surgeon and have 10 days to do so.
Doc’s plan was do surgery first then prednisone.

Who did the two day 50 mg "diagnostic test." No such thing that I know about. Many conditions will respond to 50 mg of Prednisone.

"A rapid resolution of symptoms in response to prednisolone 15 mg daily was previously thought to represent a diagnostic surrogate for polymyalgia rheumatica. However, a small proportion of patients do not respond to three weeks of this therapy so it cannot be used to make the diagnosis."
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5828929/
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This is an Australian source but they seem to know more than most!

Thanks Dadcue. I’ve read in its entirety and now have more questions. I’m presently in South Florida and live in Columbus Ohio half the year where they have more health care providers. I plan to contact a RA there asap.
My priority is to have at least two docs that are in agreement with one of them the RA. The TKR is most likely going to be postponed.
Thank you my friend.
Greg
Thank

FWIW it was 20mg twice a day for 40mg. I thought they were 25mg tablets. Does that make you feel a little better?
I’ve had enough pain, sleepless nights and weight loss to go on.
I’d like to go on low dose pred until I can meet with an RA. Do you see any harm in this?

Take medical advice from your treating doctor, not from here. Your question "I’d like to go on low dose pred until I can meet with an RA. Do you see any harm in this?" should be directed to your doctor. Can you speak with him/her?

I concur with your fears and I am considering not taking steroids. I am so fearful of the side effects that I think I will continue to live with the pain. I have been doing exercises given me by a physical therapist before my diagnosis and they help.

I refuse to take a steroid unless my symptoms progress to a point where I cannot live a normal life. I can function almost normally without much pain by the afternoon which is usually 1-2 hours. I was feeling good until I developed an itchy rash, which is another unwanted symptom. My docs will not diagnose me with PMR and insist on an MRI and x-rays of my neck. I think it is a waste of money but will comply. My labs were normal but that does not mean you do not have PMR I learned from reading medical journals. I am trying not to feel depressed.