Osteoarthritis: Let's connect and support each other

I am in the wrong thread-I am currently being medically investigated for PMR with a mix of RA.Can someone help me find the right place for autoimmune diseases affecting bones and joints.Thank you

Hello @darkarta -- Here are some of the discussions for PMR you might find helpful.

- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Group (list of all discussions): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/
- PMR Anyone?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-anyone/
- Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr-meet-others-share-your-story/

You might also be interested in this one -
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – Introduce yourself and meet others: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rheumatoid-arthritis-ra-introduce-yourself-and-meet-others/

Have you already been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

I do not know how "diagnosis" works-its a suspicion at the moment because PMR does not usually cause fluid in the joints.I am on Prednisone 10 mgs Methotrexate,1 time per week,Folic Acid and Plaquinil.

@darkarta, The way my Mayo Rheumatologist explained it to me it's like arthritis all over the body. I had swelling with some fluid in the joints when I was first diagnosed with PMR. The prednisone is supposed to help with the inflammation. I have no medical background but I'm thinking with inflammation can mean you can have more fluid buildup. Here's some information that explains it much better than I can...

"How is PMR diagnosed? - Diagnosis. There's no specific test to diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica. Your doctor will make a diagnosis after listening to you talk about the history of your symptoms and by carrying out a physical examination. You'll also have blood tests to check for any inflammation in your body, and to rule out other conditions." from Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) | Causes, symptoms, treatments: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/

You had fluid in the joints?I am not happy that you did but I'm happy that I found someone like me!What were your numbers in blood work?I have high C-Reative,but not the Anti CCP(I think that's what its called.I also have RF factor elevated at 27 .What were your numbers and was RA ever brought up?

@darkarta - Sorry, I remember the swelling I had at the time I was diagnosed in Jan 2007. Looking back at my clinical notes from the meeting with the rheumatologist I see that the only thing they mentioned was I had fluid in my right knee and they performed an aspiration to remove the excess fluid and then gave me a cortisone shot. I was on prednisone until 2010 when I was able to taper off when the PMR went into remission. I don't have the numbers for the CRP or SED rate test but do remember they were high when my PMR came out of remission in 2016 and I went back on prednisone for a year and half. The doctor mentioned RA but only in asking if someone in my family had it. My mother had RA and I do remember how bad the pain in her hands from swollen joints.

Hello, just coming into this conversation and was wondering if Tai Chi can be done if you have very bad balance? Thank you so much and take care, Sunny flower

Hi sunny flower TaiChi and Qi Gong can both be done sitting until you feel comfortable standing. It took me a long time to be comfortable (safe) standing.