Diagnosed with PMR 16 days ago.

Posted by billc1965 @billc1965, Jul 3 11:42am

After weeks of struggle, I was diagnosed with PMR on 17 June 2025, 16 days ago. The emergency doctor prescribed 20 mg of prednisone and he gave me two weeks worth. The first week it seemed to work well I started the day in a little bit of pain, but by mid morning 10-11 AM, I started to feel good After the first week however, it took longer and longer into the day before I would get any relief sometimes 3 to 4 in the afternoon. I had to call my primary care physician as a result, and after some discussion and hesitancy on his part, we upped the dose to 30 mg as of this past Saturday The first two days I felt like given that the dose had been raised, I was surprised to not get as much relief as I was expecting. But starting late Monday and then come Tuesday and Wednesday I was actually doing quite well. I would wake up a little sore and there was no decline from the time I took the medication to the point where it would then kick in so I was feeling rather optimistic. That was until last evening, 2 July, and into today. I started feeling much stiffer than I would’ve expected for the time of day and by the time I had gotten up in the morning, I was so stiff that I was back to a debilitated state. Not sure what to make of this. I would’ve thought that the 30 mg would’ve would’ve continued working like they had the two previous days but for some reason, I’ve just had a big setback. I do have a doctors appointment today but I do not know what’s gonna come of that appointment cause my doctor is very hesitant to play around with prednisone. Any suggestions would be helpful thank you.

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billc1965 | @billc1965 | Jul 23 12:06pm

In reply to @stephen18 "Are you seeing just your primary? You need to see a rheumatologist and get his/her input." + (show)

I’ve been referred but still waiting for an appointment….

juliemcgee62 | @juliemcgee62 | Jul 23 12:18pm

I was on Pred..made me eat..now I am on Methotrexate..it works great ...and no eating
..No pain

stephen18 | @stephen18 | Jul 23 5:38pm

In reply to @billc1965 "I’ve been referred but still waiting for an appointment…." + (show)

There is a nationwide shortage of rheumatologists. You have to keep after them for an appointment. Ask to be placed on a waiting list if someone cancels. Call other rheumatologists to see if you can get an appt, not just the one you primary referred you to.

54pontiac | @54pontiac | Jul 24 11:26am

What I found harder than getting a rheumatologist appointment was finding a gp that would take new patients and was competent enough to even know to send me to a rheumatologist. Northeast Georgia, US here.

stephen18 | @stephen18 | Jul 24 3:49pm

In reply to @54pontiac "What I found harder than getting a rheumatologist appointment was finding a gp that would take..." + (show)

Same in Alabama. Even nurse practitioners are limiting the number of patients they are excepting. It is a nationwide problem. Not going to get better unless we address the problem now without bringing in politics. This is a health care issue not a campaign talking point.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 24 4:24pm

In reply to @stephen18 "Same in Alabama. Even nurse practitioners are limiting the number of patients they are excepting. It..." + (show)

https://www.patientrevolution.org/

jeff97 | @jeff97 | Jul 24 4:49pm

In reply to @54pontiac "What I found harder than getting a rheumatologist appointment was finding a gp that would take..." + (show)

I was very fortunate last year when I was hospitalized with GCA and PMR. I was discharged from the hospital on a Sunday afternoon. The next day I made an appointment for the following day with a new PCP, and he made calls to rheumatologists on my behalf. I saw a rheumatologist on an urgent basis two days later. So in my area at least (Raleigh NC), you can see a rheumatologist quickly if it is urgent. I don't think the rheumatologist would have seen me except for the call from the PCP.

54pontiac | @54pontiac | Jul 25 7:28am

In reply to @stephen18 "Same in Alabama. Even nurse practitioners are limiting the number of patients they are excepting. It..." + (show)

Unfortunately, everything is political now, especially health care.

checlark | @checlark | Jul 25 8:08am

Even rheumatologists don’t have a solid treatment plan for this disease but they know a whole lot more than your average PCP. No disrespect to PCPs.

jimp | @boo3 | Jul 25 1:25pm

North East Ohio… I must be lucky … my GP diagnosed my PMR and then referred me to rheumatologist. When I didn’t hear from their office for about 2 weeks (GP had prescribed 20mg prednisone so was mostly pain free) called GP. A day later called and scheduled appointment. It was 4 weeks later and because of already being on meds, didn’t stress. But I will say you will get as much helpful info from this string as from rheumatologist. All a a guessing game and practice.