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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 27 8:38am | Replies (1879)Comment receiving replies
I was recently diagnosed with PMR after 6 weeks of hip and shoulder pain. Prior to that in the month of July, I experienced general body pain, loss of appetite, tiredness. As we live in a high tick area and I have had Lyme several times, this seemed to me to be Lyme, although I had no bulls' eye or evidence of a tick bite. I saw a NP and had blood tests which resulted in one positive and another negative. I took Doxycycline for 30 days.
In August I had a sudden onset of the shoulder and hip pain with limited mobility especially in my shoulders. As my doctor had recently retired, I was seeking a new doctor. It took me 6 weeks to see my new doctor. She did several blood tests, asked many questions and diagnosed me with PMR. I have started prednisone and have started to feel results.
My questions...Is there any evidence that PMR could manifest itself after a bout of Lyme? Were my Lyme symptoms really the beginning of my PMR?
For 10 weeks I have not been able to participate in many of the activities that I enjoy due to my pain and discomfort. I am an active older adult who just turned 80. Prior to July I was doing exercises, biking 10 miles several times a week and swimming.
Replies to "I was recently diagnosed with PMR after 6 weeks of hip and shoulder pain. Prior to..."
Hi Dalby, we must be twins! I turn age 80 in November, still have PMR, also Lyme. I took myself off Pred for PMR in August after 7 months, but do daily massage & exercise of my achy hands & arms & use heat when it’s bad. I’m allergic to aspirin and NSAIDS so use only liquid Tylenol for pain. After just ONE doxy pull I went into anaphylactic shock, had to go to ER. Since then I’ve had anaphylaxis twice more so can’t get the Covid vaccine, which could kill me. I’m also vegetarian, eat no meat or fish or other seafood, but do eat eggs and dairy. I have a big delicious multi veggie salad every day! I have never smoked, used drugs or alcohol. To keep flexible so as to prevent falling, I do my own regimen of daily full body stretching against my kitchen counter and door jams (if I got on the floor I wouldn’t be able to get up!). Point being, I feel like I know my own body better than any doctor, so by doing research, keeping a positive attitude, prayer, and trying to make wise choices, my life is very good in spite of aches and normal age limitations. Life seems to be a 24/7 journey of personal discovery and renewal. I believe we all have answers within ourselves. Keep searching, trust yourself, and most of all, keep the faith! You can do it! 😊
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Welcome, Dalby. The symptoms of Lyme disease can mimic symptoms of PMR. I'm not a doctor, but my understanding is that prednisone (corticosteroids) are contraindicated for Lyme disease and can lead to worse outcomes.
- Steroid use linked to worse outcomes in Lyme disease-associated facial paralysis https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160906182119.htm
The fact that prednisone is helping and your feeling results seems to substantiate the PMR diagnosis. Did you notice any improvement after taking the antibiotic Doxycycline for 30 days?