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← Return to PMR with normal blood markers
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1. I am confused by the results.
2This test shows no muscle disease present. 2.1 Question Do I have pmr and Dr. are you looking in other areas? 2.2 If so what are you looking for? 2.3 I am taking 20 mg of Prednisone a day, if Pmr is not indicated by the tests do I need to stop taking it and do I go cold turkey or taper off? 2.4 Doc when ever I take the Prednisone seems to be helping with the pain stay with it even though PMR has been eliminated as a diagnosis?
3. Now a Question to the group. This test indicated no muscle disease, PMR is a muscle disease, now what any suggestions from the group ? I am clueless at this point.
Thank you for reading my rant and hope I come across as stupid.
Replies to "1. I am confused by the results. 2This test shows no muscle disease present. 2.1 Question..."
I understand pmr is not a muscle disease but of the tendons.
I don't think anyone knows for sure what PMR is. It is "associated" with GCA which is a type of vasculitis. There is "large vessel vasculitis" or LVV. However, PMR might be something different ...possibly "small vessel vasculitis" which interrupts the blood supply to muscles and connective tissue.
The area of inflammation tends to be widespread and affects "many muscles" and that is how PMR gets its name. The area of inflammation isn't seen in the muscles though. The test you had (MyoMarker 3 Profile) I think tests for muscle inflammation which is called myositis.
PMR is not the same as myositis. The area that has inflammation as seen in PMR is in the synovium which is connective tissue that lines the inside of the joint capsule and is filled with fluid. That kind of inflammation is called synovitis. Maybe the following link explains it better than I can.
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncprheum0520#:~:text=Studies%20of%20patients%20with%20PMR,synovitis%20of%20the%20large%20joints.
The exact cause of PMR is unknown. The difficulty in making a diagnosis is that many types of inflammatory arthritis cause inflammation in the same area as PMR. The question most often is whether a patient has PMR or inflammatory arthritis. In my case ... my rheumatologist says I have both.
Not a rant and NO to cold turkey.
PMR is an autoimmune disease. You need a diagnosis before you can have effective treatment. Have you been to a rheumatologist? My best...glad you are here.💞
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@everettcatlin, Diagnosing PMR is a process of eliminating other possible conditions and no specific test for PMR. That and there are quite a few other conditions that mimic PMR symptoms.
"Diagnosis. There's no specific test to diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica. Your doctor will make a diagnosis after listening to you talk about the history of your symptoms and by carrying out a physical examination. You'll also have blood tests to check for any inflammation in your body, and to rule out other conditions."
--- Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) | Causes, symptoms, treatments: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/polymyalgia-rheumatica-pmr/.
--- Diseases that mimic polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR): https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/diseases-that-mimic-polymyalgia-rheumatica