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Do I have polymyalgia rheumatica?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Feb 3 1:44pm | Replies (55)Comment receiving replies
Hang in there Charlotte, I woke up one morning last March with a lot of strange symptoms (wheezing, nasal secretions, general weakness) My doctor could not see me for one week, so I went to walk-in clinic. Having just returned from an Asian trip during which I had gotten a sore throat, the clinic prescribed an antibiotic and a 7 day prednisone pack for my unknown allergic reaction. That seemed to help but after the 7 days, I was feeling just as bad. Very painful to get out of bed, lift my arms or legs, etc. Anyway, after suffering 1 and 1/2 months and 2 visits to my primary care nurse and taking several blood tests, I was refered to both an Infectious disease doctor and rheumatologist. The infectious doctor diagnosed me with PMR after testing me for everthing from lime disease to malaria. It can be quite depressing having PMR without the proper treatment. I would ask your doctor if he/she could give you prednisone to see if that helps. There may be medical reasons not to give you prednisone. Good luck, I hope you receive quick treatment.
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Hi @dbloom, my friend, an infectious disease specialist diagnosed my PMR/GCA and told me what blood tests to request my PCP to do (he was resistant). My friend had diagnosed many cases of PMR/GCA, as like you, persons with mysterious symptoms were often referred to him.
My mother-in-law developed GCA after returning from a three week trip. The internist she was referred to told her she had a virus, told her to go home and wait it out for a few months. She was in bad shape so I took a medical history of her symptoms, sent it to my friend, and he thought she could have GCA or two other disorders. He referred her to a competent physician who then diagnosed GCA.