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Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR): Meet others & Share Your Story
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Nov 18 7:12pm | Replies (1907)Comment receiving replies
My husband has been tentatively diagnosed with PMR by the
GP and we can't get an appt. with a rheumatologist til June 30th. He has been on 2 rounds of steroids which helped and 2 Rx's of Tramadol for pain. The GP does not feel comfortable with prescribing any more steroids or pain pills. He has terrible morning pain and has trouble with his ADL's, afternoons and evenings are better.
My questions are: has anyone tried massage? accupuncture? Chiropractic visits? Kratom?
We are looking for anything until we see the rheumatologist
Replies to "My husband has been tentatively diagnosed with PMR by the GP and we can't get an..."
Hello @kbuzard. I would like to add my welcome along with @johnbishop. I am sorry to hear what your husband is experiencing and it is so good to have you here where members can provide support to you (both).
Because we have a very active discussion on PMR, you will notice that I have moved your post to allow you to more quickly connect with other members experiencing PMR or caring for someone with PMR.
I see @johnbishop has asked some questions to better understand your husband's experience so I will let you answer him.
I agree with kmeikle 100%. I suspect that the gp doesn't want to "muddy" the waters for the rheumatologist, and that's why she doesn't want to give him the prednisone. I have a suggestion. What about asking the gp to order the blood work - at least the CRP and the ESR - before he takes the prednisone she would give him. Because the rheumy would probably want to see the results of those tests before your husband is on prednisone. Perhaps that would make EVERYBODY happy!! (Especially your husband!)
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Welcome @kbuzard, I don't have any medical background or training but I have had 2 occurrences of PMR and for both I was started on 20 mg of prednisone which I got full relief of the pain within an hour or so and stayed pain free until the following morning when it was time for my next daily dose. Here's some information on PMR and treatment options - Polymyalgia rheumatica: An updated review: https://www.ccjm.org/content/87/9/549
My own non medical opinion on massage, accupuncture, chiropractic visits and Kratom is that I don't think it will help. I do think that diet and lifestyle can make a difference but when it has flared and active I think it takes something more like prednisone which is the standard treatment.
You mentioned 2 rounds of steroids which helped and 2 Rx's of Tramadol for pain. Is the 2 rounds of steroids, 2 days worth of prednisone?