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← Return to Traveling with PMR
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Thank you. Before diagnosing myself with PMR, I had started with shoulder and some neck pain that I was waking up with. I thought perhaps I was sleeping in a bad position or I needed some new pillows. Soon after the pain/stiffness progressed to my hips and thighs at which point I started to investigate on Dr. Google. I found I had typical symptoms of PMR and proceded to the PCP who would not give me steroids. She wanted the diagnosis from a Rheumatoligist and it was very difficult to get a Rheumy appointment. The pain & stifness would subside as the day progressed, however mornings became impossibile for me to even get out of bed. I luckily had a Medrol pack (5 day steroid pack) on hand for a bad knee which I needed on hand for an upcoming trip to Patagonia (that had to be cancelled due to PMR). I took my Methyprednisolone (Medrol pack) out of desperation (12mg as the dose I saw on the net) and it worked like a charm. I luckily got to see a Rheumtologist who confirmed my diagnosis and I am on Methyprednisolone now, curently at 12mg (lowered from the original dose of 16 that the Rheumy wanted me on). For me, it is definitely a morning problem and that is only because I am stagnant the entire night. Activity keeps the inflammation down. Although I am doing well on the Methylpred, I have very very slight PMR symptoms each morning when getting out of bed. The slight PMR symptoms disappear within an hour or two of my morning routine.
Replies to "Thank you. Before diagnosing myself with PMR, I had started with shoulder and some neck pain..."
"I found I had typical symptoms of PMR and proceeded to the PCP who would not give me steroids. She wanted the diagnosis from a Rheumatologist and it was very difficult to get a Rheumy appointment. The pain & stiffness would subside as the day progressed, however mornings became impossible for me to even get out of bed."
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I had the same experience but I had no idea I had PMR. I had a 20 year history of taking Prednisone for other autoimmune conditions but never saw a rheumatologist ever. For that matter, I didn't have my own PCP either. My ophthalmologist prescribed all the Prednisone to me for uveitis. I always had an ample supply of leftover prednisone on hand until I threw it all away. I randomly decided I wouldn't self medicate with Prednisone anymore.
Since, I was unable to get out of bed and independently get dressed, my wife thought it was best that I go to her PCP. Reluctantly, I agreed to go with my wife but she didn't tell me where we were going. My wife went with me so I wouldn't leave out any details.
I thought my wife's PCP was being unreasonable when she wanted me to see a rheumatolgist. I simply said all I needed was a prescription for Prednisone and I would be fine. I told her that I took Prednisone for 20 years and didn't think I needed a rheumatolgist.
My ophthalmologist had no idea I was taking Prednisone for "other reasons" besides uveitis. However, sometimes he asked me how much Prednisone I needed to treat my frequent flares of uveitis. Sometimes I told him that I didn't need any because I had "more than enough" Prednisone at home already.
When PMR was diagnosed by a rheumatologist, I thought the mistake I made was because I had thrown all my Prednisone away.
I had PMR for more than 12 years until I was able to stop taking Prednisone. I have not taken any Prednisone for about 4 years. However, now my rheumatologist insists on prescribing Prednisone to me when I travel just in case I need it!
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"proceded to the PCP who would not give me steroids. She wanted the diagnosis from a Rheumatoligist and it was very difficult to get a Rheumy appointment. "
these are exactly the issues that are problematic , and described in many papers where the authors ( usually the European groups) are in favor of FAST TRACK Dx for PMR.
Looking at my calendar with my rheumatologist , we strategized my tapering schedule to hold the dose while on vacation. And beware if you would be approaching 5 mg by May .