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Any difficulty in diagnosis of PMR?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jul 1, 2023 | Replies (51)Comment receiving replies
I am going on 3 years. Saw my GP, a pain management doctor, a neurologist, and a neurosurgeon. All had different opinions. Started in my hip and thighs, progressed to shoulders arms, then to hands. Survived on massive doses of ibuprofen (no side effects from that yet.) It was gradually getting better when I saw a new GP who right away said probably PMR. But when my blood tests came back negative he said couldn't be. Now it has recurred in my hips, but not nearly as bad. Back on the ibuprofen. I do have hope it will finally go away. I am sure PMR is what I have and the most doctors don't understand the symptoms. If I am not better soon I will demand steroids. Thanks to this site I finally understand what I am dealing with.
Replies to "I am going on 3 years. Saw my GP, a pain management doctor, a neurologist, and..."
Trust me you have PMR so I suggest you insist on the correct tteatment !
"Pain not relieved by Nsaids" is what I have always read as a primary symptom of pmr. . In that case, the ibuprofen should not be working That's how I was first diagnosed. My pain was relieved almost immediately with my first dose of 10 mg prednisone after taking Advil and Naproxen with no success. My husband is a primary care physician and he was finally able to diagnose my condition. I also had a 5 lb weight loss of from 138 to 132 which was a complete surprise. I was not trying to lose weight. I actually need the extra pounds to be my correct weight. I have flare ups a few times a year and it seems to be getting more frequent and more debilitating in the 4 years since first diagnosed. Now I seem to be more fatigued, dizzy, and lethargic along with joint pains and stiffness and it lasts longer. However, I do tend to hold back on starting prednisone until I get so frustrated that I'm feeling so bad.
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Hi @gailg, I think the results of blood tests don't always cone back with high inflammation markers with PMR. I had full blown symptoms about six months, but my blood work was fairly normal (My CRP was slightly elevated but my PCP did not pursue it). The PMR symptoms stayed with me, and I eventually developed symptoms of Giant Cell Arteritis. Then my inflammation markers were off the chart.
The chapter on PMR and GCA in Cecil and Goldman's Textbook of Medicine, suggests physicians give patients with PMR symptoms a trial dose of prednisone if their bloodwork is normal. If the symptoms go away, it's PMR. If not, it's probably something else.
I hope that helps.