Precursor symptoms to PMR?

Posted by sticksandbugs @sticksandbugs, Nov 27 9:28am

I was diagnosed with PMR a month ago, after a quick onset of classic symptoms. It hit fast and hard! But, before that, I had been struggling for almost a year with left leg pain (hamstring area) that referred to my knee, very painful, limping etc. I had been seeing an osteopath and massage therapist for treatment. I didn't recall any injury to the hamstring. Now that I've been on prednisone 20 mg/day for a month, my PMR symptoms are slowly resolving, but interestingly the hamstring issue is completely gone! I wonder if it could have been some kind of precursor, or very low level inflammatory issue? Has anybody else noticed 'warning signs' of an impending flare of PMR?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

glinda47 | @glinda47 | Dec 2 4:04pm

In reply to @sharon44r "What really meant is that the Covid vaccine is what caused my issues with PMR" + (show)

Ah, I see.

m1o2m | @m1o2m | Dec 2 6:12pm

Hi,

Those were the symptoms I had for over 3 years. Sometimes my arms hurt when I elevated my arms at different angles, and the left side of my neck hurt, and the mid back and the right inguinal area. I was hesitant to take Prednisone, because of the side effects but the pain was unbearable. Now I'm in a weekly scheduled reduction of the medications to 7mg. Every week goes down some of the symptoms start to raise their ugly head. At the same time, I'm taking Methotrexate once a week 20mg.
I hope our problems get resolved for good.

brian326 | @brian326 | Dec 2 7:08pm

In reply to @sticksandbugs "My diagnosis so far is family doctor basing it on my reported symptoms, and blood work...." + (show)

I know the feeling and hope you get some more definite answers soon.

DadCue | @dadcue | Dec 2 11:06pm

In reply to @sticksandbugs "Hi @gloriad same for me, before I saw my primary I tried Advil, then Tylenol Arthritis,..." + (show)

If you have intermittent flares of iritis, that generally isn't associated with PMR --- iritis is associated more with inflammatory arthritis and other autoimmune disorders but not usually PMR. This link lists various known causes of iritis.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354961
I had recurring flares of iritis and that didn't prevent me from being diagnosed with PMR in addition to inflammatory arthritis.
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With that being said #1 is more likely than #2 but having PMR with something else in addition to PMR is possible. Having one autoimmune disorder increases the risk of having others.

Furthermore, you can't rule out the possibility of #3 and #4. However PMR almost always responds to a Prednisone dose of 15 mg to usually no more than say 40 mg more of less.

Diagnosing PMR is mostly someone's guess because there isn't any exact criteria for diagnosing PMR.

After being diagnosed with PMR and getting on Prednisone --- there isn't any tapering method that works for everyone but first you need an accurate diagnosis.

Most research into PMR has a disclaimer that more research is needed. Everything about PMR is as clear as mud and very confusing.

I was diagnosed with PMR 15 years ago. I didn't finally get off Prednisone until 3 years ago. I have managed to learn a few things along the way but mostly ... I don't know much of anything. I'm just happy to be done with Prednisone but I probably still have PMR.

sticksandbugs | @sticksandbugs | Dec 3 5:32am

In reply to @dadcue "If you have intermittent flares of iritis, that generally isn't associated with PMR --- iritis is..." + (show)

@dadcue I really appreciate your knowledge and your sharing of your knowledge. Helps so much to be given these resources. I love research but as I’m sure you know, not all research is useful (or even correct)

sticksandbugs | @sticksandbugs | Dec 3 5:40am

In reply to @brian326 "I know the feeling and hope you get some more definite answers soon." + (show)

Thank you @brian326

geg | @geg | Dec 3 8:29am

In reply to @sharon44r "I think they are related I got pmr after covid vaccines" + (show)

I also started to experience PMR symptoms 2 days after my last Covid vaccination, May 27/2023., which got progressively worse to the point where I needed assistance with most everyday activities. Diagnosed Dec 2023. Treated with Prednisone with great relief in just 3 days.

sharon44r | @sharon44r | Dec 3 3:34pm

In reply to @geg "I also started to experience PMR symptoms 2 days after my last Covid vaccination, May 27/2023.,..." + (show)

No more any vaccines for me only got 2 COVID ones

sharon44r | @sharon44r | Dec 3 3:36pm

No more vaccines for me of any kind. I have too many auto immune diseases

DadCue | @dadcue | Dec 3 4:29pm

In reply to @sharon44r "No more vaccines for me of any kind. I have too many auto immune diseases" + (show)

I'm not an antivax person but it becomes a damned if you do and damned if you don't type of situation.

I'm "reluctant to get vaccinated for anything." I have had flares of autoimmune conditions after getting a vaccine. I tried to explain this to my rheumatologist who understood completely. However, I'm still encouraged to get vaccinated for shingles and everything else because I'm immunosuppressed.

I had the Covid vaccine and 3 boosters with no problem. I don't know if the vaccines were effective but I haven't ever tested positive for Covid.

Other vaccines have caused problems but it is more of a hit or miss thing if you ask me.