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Are there doctors that specialize in PMR treatment?
I know that rheumatologists treat PMR but doctors who specialize on PMR and the main thrust of their practice. I would be willing to travel to see them.
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Good question. ChatGPT listed about 10 centers around the USA that have extensive experience treating people with PMR/GCA.
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3 ReactionsThis list includes some big names in the field of PMR.
https://findexpertmd.com/d/Polymyalgia_Rheumatica
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8 ReactionsGreat list but had the humorous (dark, dystopian) thought that by the time you might be able to see one of these experts the disease would be over on its own or via prednisone. What I take from this is that it is great that there are some international experts who are researching this disease but I would never think I could ever see one of them. Living in the US has jaded me.
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5 Reactions@petermccarville
I have never had any reason to see a "PMR expert" in rheumatology. I felt the same way when someone strongly recommended that I see an endocrinologist who specialized in adrenal insufficiency. In the case, of adrenal insufficiency, my overwhelming fatigue made it impossible.
I have only seen "run of the mill" rheumatologists and endocrinologists who were very capable at treating PMR and adrenal insufficiency. The key was that I had easy access to them when I needed them. Access is more important than consulting someone hundreds of miles away or someone you need to wait months to see.
I was blessed to have access to doctors who responded to me in a reasonable amount of time. When they deemed it to be something serious, the question was always, "How soon could I come in to be seen?" I didn't ask my doctor the question ... they asked me that question.
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3 Reactions@dadcue . Wow, "blessed" is the operative word here. I have never had a doctor ask me "how soon can I come in to see him/her". Glad you have been able to get the care you need when you needed it. Some of us have not been so "blessed", unfortunately. I was successful, however, with my primary care dr in treating PMR. All has worked out with her. However, she is leaving the local practice (operated by our rural hospital) to do private practice, boutique functional medicine for professional freedom, financial freedom, and schedule freedom reasons.