PMR to RA?

@dadcue ,@cgm
You know already that we are in that same boat, unfortunately.
I was diagnosed with reactive arthritis in my early twenties. Like you I was treated with a fast taper of prednisone. They also had me on Indocin and aspirin, cause in those days they did not have the biologics and medications they have now. I also had lots of physical therapy because I was a young mom and they were afraid my joints would stiffen up. I was lucky and all my joint issues cleared up and I was finally able to return to work a year later. And then I went into remission for 20 years! I also have osteoarthritis in my hands with a couple of nodes in my fingers.
PMR did not appear until I was 72( I just turned 75) and this is very different. I’m in my 2nd flare right now and my doctor wants me to take Actemra so hopefully I can get off the prednisone. I’m on 7.5 mg currently.

Can I ask you how long you were on prednisone for your PMR? I was recently diagnosed with PMR and they stored at me at a very low dose of prednisone being 4 mg. It has worked for me and relieved my pain almost instantly. I went to my rheumatologist last week after being on 4 mg for three months and I asked if I could have it lowered and they lowered it to 2 mg. So far so good, I don’t feel any pain with the 2 mg but it’s only been three days since they lowered it. I was just wondering how long before your PMR went into remission? Like I said, I’ve only been on prednisone for three months, but I think that I had PMR for at least 3 to 4 months before I start the prednisone. Could it be that my PMR is already going into it remission in less than a year? I haven’t seen any one talk about their PMR going into remission that fast.

Hello! I was on prednisone for several years. I was weaned off for about the last 6-9 months but am having an exacerbation. Ugh. Am actually scheduling a Mayo Clinic apt.

My PMR is in remission but I've always worried a little about RA since I do have degenerative arthritis and carpal tunnel in my hands. As a teenager I remember my mother struggling with RA which seemed to bother her hands the worse. I have often thought she might have had PMR that wasn't diagnosed prior to her RA. I thought you might want to scan through the other discussions and comments by members who have commented about PMR and RA. Here's a list of the discussions and comments - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=PMR%20+RA

I did find an article on your question.
"FAQ's - Can PR turn into RA? - There is no current evidence that PR can turn into RA. The conditions have different underlying mechanisms."
-- Polymyalgia rheumatica vs. rheumatoid arthritis: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/polymyalgia-rheumatica-vs-rheumatoid-arthritis

You mentioned earlier that you are not taking anything for pain but were thinking about trying LDN. Do you mind sharing how long ago you were diagnosed with PMR?

Johnbishop
I was just wondering if you could tell me how long it took for your PMR to go into remission? I’m three months in and I feel like I have a mild case because I started it on a very low dose of prednisone being 4 mg and my pain and stiffness completely went away the next day after starting The medication. I don’t want to rush it, but I also don’t want
to be on prednisone for an extended period of time.
I was told that it could take up to two years, but I feel like mine is such a mild case that maybe it won’t take that long. So I was just wondering how long it took for yours to go into remission and how you did with the tapering down of your prednisone