Is everyone here diagnosed with PMR seeing a rheumatologist?

I go to a rheumatologist. This Mayo support group has really helped me taper. I purposely did it slowly. I have finally got off prednisone after exactly one year. I often went down by reducing only 1/2 mg at a time especially when I was down to 5 and under. Do not rush a taper. I also had to figure out what was PMR and what was other old age health issues. I had steroid shots in my lower back and a steroid shot in my ankle for tarsal tunnel syndrome. I was also diagnosed with TMJ and got a mouthgard. I had numerous tests which helped decide if my discomfort was actually PMR or something else. It was a terrible year, but seeing some light at the end if the tunnel now.

Hello Cah, my spine was causing pain down my legs but I also had pain in the buttocks, shoulders, arms, hands. Everywhere. Prednisone stopped all the pain except in my legs, so more prednisone was added. After the MRI it showed my spine was causing the leg pains not the PMR. My PMR was under control with a much lower dose of pred. and earlier than thought.
I too fully believe the covid vaccine triggered my PMR, along with a case of shingles. Never in my life have I had an immune problem until I received those shots. I will never trust our government with my health again. I was very leery about getting the shots to begin with but fell in with millions of others that I was protecting my loved ones to get them. One shot, one booster and never again.

I have had only one Rheumatologist and although I like him I am not sure on the quality of his doctoring. I keep up to date with forums like this one and keep an eye on medical publications. I have a subscription to the UK Lancet. I don't understand everything in it but have gained a lot of insight on PMR. As in most things, I steer toward natural treatments and adjusting my diet, which is where I have gained the most recovery. After trying to go down to 2mg, unsuccessfully and had to go up to 3mg, I am now stuck on 2 1/2 mg of prednisone and will keep it there until I have got the vegetable garden back into shape. I now see my doctor once a year, or by request as needed.

Yes, I am seeing a Rheumatologist.
My PCP referred me to a Rheumatologist after two months of not being able to diagnose me. I kept telling my PCP my symphoms; could hardly get out of a chair, my shoulders hurt, painful to raise my arms to wash hair or retrieve a glass/dish from the cupboard. My first appt. with Rheumatologist he did blood work and told me that it appears I have Polymyalgia. Of course, SED rate the CRP test were high and out of the range. Started on prednisone at 15mg for 30 days and then 12.50mg for 30 days and then 10mg for 30 days. During the time of 15mg and 10mg I had blood work three times. After being on 10mg for 30 days then I reduced dosage by 1 mg per 30days. I had to stay on 6mg for 60+ days which is very disappointing and went to 5mg for 20 days and realized the dosage is too low, so I am trying 5.50 mg to see how that works. Hoping to keep reducing dosage by 1/2mg every 21 days until I reach 4 mg. Was diagnosed in May 2022 and today is May 2023; I have had 8 blood test for SED and 8 blood test for CRP. Since I am having issues with lowering CPR I am having blood test every 4 weeks (SED & CRP). My SED rate has been in range since June 2022. I can't understand why my CPR remains out of range and having issues with lower dosage of prednisone at 5-6 mg. I mentioned to my DR that it was important to me to do blood work every month to see where I am at since I want to get off prednisone ASAP.
I hope this information helps you. I had first and second shot of covid vaccine in Feb/March 2021 and booster in October 2021. I started not feeling well in November 2022. I am certain the vaccine is the root cause of my Polymyalgia. I did get a flu shot in November 2022 and that is when my CRP levels rose again and I do not plan on getting a flu shot ever again. I currently only take a light dose of hormones...no high blood pressure....no cholestrol pills. Pretty frustrating!!!!

Hi Loyal....
Wondering what dosage did you start prednisone? Also, when you started the prednisone what levels were your SED and CRP bloodwork at? How often do you do blood work?
I am a female and I have a male friend that was off of prednisone at 14 months of treatment.
His SED rate was at 100 and not sure what his CRP was. His starting dose for prednisone was 40mg. He mentioned to me that he did not change his diet. I changed my diet and was eating salmon almost daily and now I have since stopped since I think it is adding too much fat to my diet and also farmed salmon is not good to eat. Sometimes I can get wild salmon but for the time being I am going to stop eating salmon to see if my blood levels improve. I am hoping one day I can say...I am finally off of prednisone. Wondering do you live on the east coast or west coast? Any chance from California? Congratulations!!!

Loyal...
Also, when you were taking 5mg and then 4.50mg....how many days each dosage?
Going forward when you reduced only by 1/2 mg at a time...how many days would you be on that particular dosage before reducing again by 1/2mg????

artur. Help me out here please. Does PCP cause a firestorm in your legs?
I’m a bit new here and not sure of the symptoms.
Thank you

I have seen an analysis of farmed North Atlantic salmon
that indicated it is higher in inflammatory Omega-6
fatty acids. Harder to find wild caught but probably worthwhile in season or frozen. I eat it weekly and at
favorite restaurant.

My PCP also diagnosed PMR immediately and I was on 15mg of Prednisone within an hour or so of the consultation. Blood tests later confirmed the diagnosis. I tapered much like you describe and have been in full remission for a while now though am not complacent at all! . Where I live it is a very long journey to a rheumatologist plus a long waiting period for an appointment, but I felt no need to do that. I am lucky and grateful to have none of the complications many here have had and wish you all improving health and well-being.

thank you for sharing - that is enouraging!