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How were you diagnosed with PMR ? How are you currently managing?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (42)Comment receiving replies
Hello @ajf1950 and @tauca838, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @dadcue and others.
@ajf1950, Here's some information from Mayo Clinic on diagnosing and treating PMR - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376545. The Arthritis Foundation also has some good information to explain some of the problems diagnosing the condition.
"PMR is challenging to diagnose because many other conditions have similar symptoms. Doctors often use ultrasound imaging to help pin down a diagnosis. Another way to confirm that it’s PMR instead of, say, osteoarthritis (OA) is to start a course of the corticosteroid drug, prednisone. PMR almost always gets better with prednisone within just a few days. Prednisone can have serious side effects, though, so this should only be tried when the diagnosis is pretty clearly PMR and after you have a thorough discussion about the pros and cons of prednisone with your doctor."
-- Polymyalgia Rheumatica: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/polymyalgia-rheumatica
@tauca838, I used the 1 to 10 pain scale for both occurrences of my PMR and definitely agree with @dadcue that it doesn't capture the quality of life aspect of having PMR. I'm almost 7 years in remission from my last occurrence of PMR and at age 83 I'm hoping it stays gone as my other aches and pains from degenerative arthritis, neuropathy and other conditions are keeping me challenged with daily activity.
There are many different discussion topics in the PMR Support Group that you may also find helpful. Here's a link to the list of discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/.
Replies to "Hello @ajf1950 and @tauca838, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @dadcue..."
@johnbishop
My husband has not yet been 100% diagnosed. He is going on his 4th month and has an appt this coming week. He has all the symptoms of PMR and is on 20mg prednisone and is not getting much relief. He has lost about 15-20 lbs. and does not sleep. His platelets are low as well as his iron. He has had two iron infusions within the last 2 weeks and has not improved physically. Last test was an MRI so we will see what the results are if that this week. His PC put him on prednisone initially a step process, this was back in July . It went some like 5 10mg for like 2 days, the second day he was dancing. Then down to 4 pills for two days and so forth. He has been on 10 mg and was increased to 20 mg not much change. He is 76 and has not been able to do what he usually does like working in the yard, lifting it all is hard due to the neck and arm pain and stiffness.
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@johnbishop
When I was diagnosed in March with PMR I was put on 25mg prednisone and not only did it relieve most of my PMR pain, but also most of my osteoarthritis pain, which came roaring back when I had to taper off prednisone due to SMM. I just had shot #7 of kevzara two days ago and I'm hoping it kicks in soon. It won't help the osteoarthritis though.