1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

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.

sharon44r | @sharon44r | Dec 3 5:45pm
In reply to @dadcue "I'm not an antivax person but it becomes a damned if you do and damned if..." + (show)
@dadcue

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.

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The last flu vaccine I had when I turned 65, I didn’t realize it was a triple dose. I was sick with 103 fever for a week. The one before that weren’t as strong and just got alittle sick. So if I ever decide to do it again I wouldn’t allow the senior dose. No one told me. I found our by reporting it to Vaers, and they told me and they told me also it was a different filler that year

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sticksandbugs | @sticksandbugs | Dec 4 7:35am

Saw the rheumatologist yesterday, and while she's not ruling out PMR entirely, she wants to explore other diagnoses (myositis, and CPPD). I had more bloodwork yesterday, and my CRP is even higher, went from 26.5 on Nov 25 to 55.8 yesterday. She also did a CK test (first time I had that) and it's low, at 22 (normal range is 33-165) but I'm not entirely clear what that means (@dadcue any insight?). Still waiting on Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody result, again, not sure what that is. Today I'm having x-rays of shoulders, hands, wrists, hips, pelvis and knees. She boosted my prednisone from 20 mg/day to 40 mg/day. I see her again Dec 23 and she will consider adding methotrexate depending on response to prednisone increase. It's a wild ride!

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DadCue | @dadcue | Dec 4 9:18am
In reply to @sticksandbugs "Saw the rheumatologist yesterday, and while she's not ruling out PMR entirely, she wants to explore..." + (show)
@sticksandbugs

Saw the rheumatologist yesterday, and while she's not ruling out PMR entirely, she wants to explore other diagnoses (myositis, and CPPD). I had more bloodwork yesterday, and my CRP is even higher, went from 26.5 on Nov 25 to 55.8 yesterday. She also did a CK test (first time I had that) and it's low, at 22 (normal range is 33-165) but I'm not entirely clear what that means (@dadcue any insight?). Still waiting on Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody result, again, not sure what that is. Today I'm having x-rays of shoulders, hands, wrists, hips, pelvis and knees. She boosted my prednisone from 20 mg/day to 40 mg/day. I see her again Dec 23 and she will consider adding methotrexate depending on response to prednisone increase. It's a wild ride!

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CK level is usually high if it is myositis. Creatine kinase (CK) levels are a common biomarker used to diagnose myositis and monitor its activity. CK levels can be elevated after exercise too.

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gingergirl24 | @gingergirl24 | Dec 4 10:33am

I believe there could be an association with having Covid and developing PMR. I had Covid vaccine July 2023. I then had Covid Oct 2023. My PMR symptoms developed 2 months later. There is some evidence of viruses triggering auto immune illnesses.
I had Covid vaccine Oct 2024 and flu vaccine Nov 2024 without any problem. On 2mg Prednisone now, continuing taper. Trying to be positive.

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