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How to address PMR pain while decreasing prednisone
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 6, 2023 | Replies (747)Comment receiving replies
Hi @anniegal, Did the prednisone get rid of the pain? Here is some information I found that may help with your question of diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
Polymyalgia rheumatica with normal values of both erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein concentration at the time of diagnosis: a four-point guidance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5911650/
You mentioned that the prednisone works for the pain and you are now at 11 mg dosage. Did you start at 20 mg? I've had 2 occurrences of PMR. Both were treated starting with a 20 mg dosage but everyone is a affected a little differently by prednisone and PMR.
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Thank you for the article. l have had undiagnosed PMR for two decades +. I was in a very bad mva and received R 131 for Graves Disease the same day, my first auto immune disease. l had excrutiating cervical, lumbar, shoulder and hip pain and headaches. Mornings were the worst. I am sure the trauma of the car accident combined with the radiation triggered the PMR. Countless doctors and no one caught this. I was told I had fibromyalgia. Eventually I learned from a neurologist at Stanford that l had had a brain injury in the car accident. The orthopedic damage and torn rotor cuffs made it hard for doctors to dx. l was told I had a central pain syndrome. About six years ago l was assessed at Stanford which led to me declining a recommendation for a spinal fusion and my relying on a very caring pain doctor. Botox injections were added for the almost daily migraines. Rescue shoulder injections of cortisone every six months and laser ablation proceduree for my neck and lower back. Oral opiates and NSAIDS. Despite all this, the pain was ever present.
I suggested PMR to my primary practice. I was told since my SED rate and C Reactive protein were normal, it could not be PMR. I finally insisted on a referral to an excellent rheumatologist in San Francisco earlier this month and he immediately dx’ed me with PMR.
l feel like I have gotten out of jail. l was started on 20 mg in Feb and quickly told to reduce by my primary who was very skeptical that it was PMR. l am now at 11 mg. Will try 10 by April. I am also looking for a new primary practioner.
l am 73. l was 48 when this all started. I think many cases of PMR are missed and confused with other conditions. I am now able to walk, get out of a chair, put on shoes that tie, use a recumbent bike and have pain free mornings. l am following a gluten and sugar free Paleo diet. l have not gained any weight since going on the prednisone but acquired 50 pounds over the last 25 years from inability to exercise so I am hoping to lose that. l have Sicca syndrome ( again normal labs) which l was told I could not have as well.