1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

PMR Anyone?

Posted by olegraymare @olegraymare, Jan 4, 2018

I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica about a year ago. I WAS a very active 69 year old female all of a sudden, not being able to get out of bed on her own and having severe hip flexor pain. As is customary, after waiting 3 months to see a rheumatoid arthritis doctor, she administered the C-reactive protein test and I was VERY high. So, she diagnosed me with PMR and prescribed 15 mg of prednisone. I don't like taking meds (as most of us don't), but I was in pain and had no quality of life. I'm a swimmer and could hardly dog paddle ! One year later, I have been weaning off the 15 mg down to 1 mg. My RA said that now it's a matter of determining if I have PMR or arthritis ... so, she prescribed 7.5 mg of meloxicam for a month. I will say my shoulder pain seems better, but my hip flexors are awful !! I don't want to go back on steroids - the devil drug. I would like to get to the "crux" of what is CAUSING my inflammation??? No doctors seem to address that? What would be my next step? A nutritionist? I am leary of taking supplements, as well. Thank you for any help or sharing your experience. Weird disease ... I just want my old life back - being able to move without pain, etc. Too much to ask?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @dreamer38 "I have hypothyroidism and have to see a specialist re oral Lichen Planus. Have been diagnosed..." + (show)
@dreamer38

I have hypothyroidism and have to see a specialist re oral Lichen Planus. Have been diagnosed with PMR since Oct/18 and am presently on 20 mgms prednisone. Can anyone out there, perhaps John, tell me if it’s PMR or prednisone that causes ankle/leg swelling, foot pain, finger/toe spasms, spasms in back, neck. Any answers would be most helpful...thanks so much! I was very fortunate to have my GP diagnose my problem so quickly, but have so few answers.

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Hi @dreamer38, my symptoms of PMR were mostly joint pain. I did have some swelling in my right ankle with the first occurrence of PMR but it turned out to be gout and I had to take Colchicine to help with the gout. Swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs is listed as one of the more common side effects by Mayo Clinic here. It is one of the side effects that says you should check with your doctor immediately if you have it.

Prednisone (Oral Route)
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/prednisone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20075269?p=1

REPLY
1 reply
dreamer38 | @dreamer38 | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @johnbishop "Hi @dreamer38, my symptoms of PMR were mostly joint pain. I did have some swelling in..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hi @dreamer38, my symptoms of PMR were mostly joint pain. I did have some swelling in my right ankle with the first occurrence of PMR but it turned out to be gout and I had to take Colchicine to help with the gout. Swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs is listed as one of the more common side effects by Mayo Clinic here. It is one of the side effects that says you should check with your doctor immediately if you have it.

Prednisone (Oral Route)
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/prednisone-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20075269?p=1

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Hi John, thanks for replying so fast. Re the swelling of my ankles, my rheum adv’d me to go to my GP who put me on ‘water’ pills ...rheum says she only deals w/the PMR! So, what’s causing the swelling? Thought it was either the prednisone or the PMR...all very confusing. I also contacted my ophthalmologist as I have glaucoma and was advised that prednisone was OK as long as it wasn’t put in my eyes...my optometrist and my Rheum are upset about this and my pressure is being monitored by the optometrist. Now, I have to see a specialist re a mouth prob which was thought to be a yeast infection, but may be Lichen Planus. Sorry to be going on ad nauseum, but it just is one ‘thing’ after another. Any info is very helpful as there aren’t too many folks who know about this b..... of a disease!!!! Again, my thanks.

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Feb 2, 2019
In reply to @dreamer38 "Hi John, thanks for replying so fast. Re the swelling of my ankles, my rheum adv’d..." + (show)
@dreamer38

Hi John, thanks for replying so fast. Re the swelling of my ankles, my rheum adv’d me to go to my GP who put me on ‘water’ pills ...rheum says she only deals w/the PMR! So, what’s causing the swelling? Thought it was either the prednisone or the PMR...all very confusing. I also contacted my ophthalmologist as I have glaucoma and was advised that prednisone was OK as long as it wasn’t put in my eyes...my optometrist and my Rheum are upset about this and my pressure is being monitored by the optometrist. Now, I have to see a specialist re a mouth prob which was thought to be a yeast infection, but may be Lichen Planus. Sorry to be going on ad nauseum, but it just is one ‘thing’ after another. Any info is very helpful as there aren’t too many folks who know about this b..... of a disease!!!! Again, my thanks.

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@dreamer38 Hi this is Lioness I was reading your post and was wondering if stress,anxiety is causing some of your bl. pressure problems have you seen a cardiologist ? I ask because of the ankle swelling . I don't have PMR but have fibromyalgia , O.A. and back problems . Stress can cause a lot of problems for a person

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2 replies
noosat1 | @noosat1 | Feb 3, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@dreamer38 Hi this is Lioness I was reading your post and was wondering if stress,anxiety is..." + (show)
@lioness

@dreamer38 Hi this is Lioness I was reading your post and was wondering if stress,anxiety is causing some of your bl. pressure problems have you seen a cardiologist ? I ask because of the ankle swelling . I don't have PMR but have fibromyalgia , O.A. and back problems . Stress can cause a lot of problems for a person

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Good Point Lioness. 4 years ago I had a heart attack and had double bypass surgery. It was a surprise to all, including my physician, as I am, was, an extremely healthy person. My daughter gets angry with me sometimes because she says I act like "wonder woman" and won't admit to any weakness or say "no" to anyone. After a heart-to-heart, pun intended, with my cardiologist about my life in general, he believes it was stress that induced the attack. Now that I have PMR, I am much more careful in this regard.

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Feb 3, 2019
In reply to @noosat1 "Good Point Lioness. 4 years ago I had a heart attack and had double bypass surgery...." + (show)
@noosat1

Good Point Lioness. 4 years ago I had a heart attack and had double bypass surgery. It was a surprise to all, including my physician, as I am, was, an extremely healthy person. My daughter gets angry with me sometimes because she says I act like "wonder woman" and won't admit to any weakness or say "no" to anyone. After a heart-to-heart, pun intended, with my cardiologist about my life in general, he believes it was stress that induced the attack. Now that I have PMR, I am much more careful in this regard.

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@noosat1 O.k. Wonder Women this was me and still is At 76 I started a exercise class where I live Its just in the last year ,my legs are giving me trouble but if you eat right and exercise tell your daughter you,ok live along time By pass is 22 yrs old

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Feb 3, 2019

@gingerw did you do your 8:30 stretch?

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noosat1 | @noosat1 | Feb 3, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@noosat1 O.k. Wonder Women this was me and still is At 76 I started a exercise..." + (show)
@lioness

@noosat1 O.k. Wonder Women this was me and still is At 76 I started a exercise class where I live Its just in the last year ,my legs are giving me trouble but if you eat right and exercise tell your daughter you,ok live along time By pass is 22 yrs old

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H

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1 reply
noosat1 | @noosat1 | Feb 3, 2019
In reply to @noosat1 "H" + (show)
@noosat1

H

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Hi, had my 91st birthday on January 17th. People tell me I look and act much younger. Probably due to exercise/sports, good diet lifestyle. Not really started by me but grew up that way and stayed with it. 🙂

REPLY
dreamer38 | @dreamer38 | Feb 4, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@dreamer38 Hi this is Lioness I was reading your post and was wondering if stress,anxiety is..." + (show)
@lioness

@dreamer38 Hi this is Lioness I was reading your post and was wondering if stress,anxiety is causing some of your bl. pressure problems have you seen a cardiologist ? I ask because of the ankle swelling . I don't have PMR but have fibromyalgia , O.A. and back problems . Stress can cause a lot of problems for a person

Jump to this post

@lioness Hi, this is dreamer38...actually, I don’t have blood pressure probs...it’s always been very good. The ankle swelling has started since I’ve had PMR and been taking Prednisone. My GP has me on water pills, to take only when swelling occurs. I think some of the problem is not being active enough...seems when I move around more, the swelling goes down. Yes, stress certainly can cause a lot of probs! I’ve had tests re heart, etc and all is good, but thanks very much for info...every bit helps. Now, if only the PMR would disappear!!! Thank goodness for John...he is so very helpful, isn’t he.

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