Is everyone here diagnosed with PMR seeing a rheumatologist?

I am just seeing my internist, who was quick to suspect PMR. order blood tests and put me on steroids. Steroids worked on hip weakness and shoulder pain in fewer than 24 hours. Blood test showed very high sed rate. So no rheumatologist.

I have an appointment with a rheumatologist tomorrow. I am going to write down some questions to ask so I don't forget them. I am nervous about this appointment.

I would like to find a good rheumatologist.
The waiting lists are long and I have a good PCP and Naturalpathic Dr who are helping me. Do I need one?

In my case I waited 8 months to get an appointment with a rheumatologist that I could only see after a referral from my doctor. My pc doctor had the diagnosis correct from the start but not up on the proper treatment. I was given an open Rx for prednisone, told to start at 15mg a day and adjust my dosage until the pain was gone then maintain it there. I ended up at 40 mg a day. 6 week waits to see my pc doctor who was under the idea as long as my pain was under control all was fine. See you in 6 or 8 weeks. When I saw my rheumatologist she was shocked at the course of treatment I was given. She actually took me on as a patient, where my pc doctor only wanted a confirmation. The rheumatologist ordered blood tests and an MRI ( which my pc doctor actually got mad that I was scheduled for an MRI, said it wasn’t needed) my rheumatologist started me immediately on lowering my prednisone to where I will finally be off it completely and on MTX for the long term. The MRI showed spine related problems that were masked by the prednisone and were causing PMR signatures. With my spine problems now under control she is working on my PMR. I believe it is now under control at 7.5mg pred. a day which she will lower again next visit and raise the MTX to replace the prednisone. Long term outlook is the MTX will completely replace the prednisone and then gradually reduce the MTX.
Yes, I am Canadian. Yes, our once world renown excellent health care is in shatters and getting worse. Politicians tell us our health system is on the brink of collapse. Canadians are telling them it has collapsed.
I want the same health care program our politicians have.

I've had PMR for 6-1/2 years and have seen 4 rheumys over that time. The first one subscribed to "curing" me in 2 years and moved elsewhere after my 2nd appointment, leaving me a train wreck. Rheumy #2 was convinced it was rheumatoid arthritis and after a year of fighting finally agreed.....and retired. Rheumy #3 was excellent and agreed with taking the slow road on reducing the prednisone dose. I saw him every 6 months but he also retired just a year ago. Rheumy #4 was pretty laid back and said I had a good handle on my treatment. I've also seen him every 6 months, basically to get his blessing and renew the prescription for another year. Now he's moving on so I get to meet Rheumy #5 in another month. The best thing I did was educate myself about PMR because I haven't had 2 rheumys that approached my treatment the same way. Only when I could talk about my PMR on their level and have info to back up my reasoning for taking a slow reduction schedule with prednisone, then they would pretty much let me deal with it and tell me to come back before 6 months if I ran into problems.

My regular doctor immediately diagnosed PMR and has handled my care since diagnosis. We started at 40 mg for 3 weeks (immediate relief of all symptoms, bloodwork showed inflammation markers reduced to normal), 30 mg for 2 weeks, 5 weeks at 20 mg (I was traveling so decided not to change while I was away), 15 mg for 2 weeks, 10 mg for 8 weeks (through holidays), 7.5 mg for 4 weeks, 5 mg for 4 weeks and currently at 4 mg for 8 weeks.
Usually as a taper, I feel some pain and stiffness when I first decrease but it gets better. The last 2 decreases from 7.5 mg to 5 mg and 5 mg to 4 mg have been more difficult. So I have stayed at 4 mg and am seeing my doctor next week to discuss future tapering. I am definitely going to take it slowly. I am going to suggest 0.5 mg per month at the most.

Yes, you should see a rheumatologists.

Was the MRI of your whole body or just spine?
If spine only how was it determined to do the spine area only. It’s very frustrating that doctors don’t want to do MRI’s; they want to take a slower approach and for me, I would rather get to the bottom of the real cause. I think Covid vaccine caused my Polymyalgia.

In regard to diet. Do you think consuming farm raised salmon has higher inflammation in it VS
Wild Salmon????

My PCP referred me to a rheumatologist. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia a year ago and started out on 15 mg and one year later I am on 6 mg cause everytime I went to 5mg I would have a flare up. Very discouraged. Since my CRP test are rising again, I am doing blood work every 4 weeks. It’s frustrating that doctors are hesitant to run blood test monthly. I am the patient and I feel doctors are worried about the insurance companies questioning their request for bloodwork and imaging.