1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Is everyone here diagnosed with PMR seeing a rheumatologist?

Posted by traynor4 @traynor4, Apr 22, 2022

My GP has not suggested seeing a rheumatologist. I am wondering if everyone that has been diagnosed with PMR is seeing a rheumatologist? Also, how often does everyone get bloodwork done? I am getting a little frustrated with my Dr.
Thank you!

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npostusa | @npostusa | Jun 19, 2023

Yes to seeing a rheumatologist - I have seen mine since I was diagnosed with PMR. Mine started about 10 days after my second vaccine, however, I thought I was fighting a severe case of Lyme that hit my spine. The good news is there was no Lyme, but the bad issue is that PMR stopped me in my tracks until I started taking prednisone. After the hospital it was 40mg for a while, and after two years I am down to 2mg. The roughest thing for me is adjusting the prednisone, There is almost a flare up every time I adjust. Some drops were a bit easier, but typically I would not feel great for a week or two after transitioning. It is almost like I have to go through stuff in order to reduce. Anyway, long story short, my rheumatologist has really helped me get through this. One last thing, I really did not have a lot of issues with prednisone because I was taking a thing called duloxetine which helped mellow out some of the stress of the steroid. Hope this helped.

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ste44 | @ste44 | Jun 20, 2023

Yes I see my family doctor and the rheumatologist he recommended.

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grammy82 | @grammy82 | Jun 20, 2023
In reply to @npostusa "Yes to seeing a rheumatologist - I have seen mine since I was diagnosed with PMR...." + (show)
@npostusa

Yes to seeing a rheumatologist - I have seen mine since I was diagnosed with PMR. Mine started about 10 days after my second vaccine, however, I thought I was fighting a severe case of Lyme that hit my spine. The good news is there was no Lyme, but the bad issue is that PMR stopped me in my tracks until I started taking prednisone. After the hospital it was 40mg for a while, and after two years I am down to 2mg. The roughest thing for me is adjusting the prednisone, There is almost a flare up every time I adjust. Some drops were a bit easier, but typically I would not feel great for a week or two after transitioning. It is almost like I have to go through stuff in order to reduce. Anyway, long story short, my rheumatologist has really helped me get through this. One last thing, I really did not have a lot of issues with prednisone because I was taking a thing called duloxetine which helped mellow out some of the stress of the steroid. Hope this helped.

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@npostusa
Hi, I just wondered how fast you were tapering. It took me three years to finally get to 10mg~!!! Since then, I only taper by half a milligram each month. Sometimes I will feel 'different' or just not so good for 2-3 days, and when I got to around 6-7, I was so tired. Dead dog tired, no putting one foot in front of the other~!! I'm at three now and holding since I'm taking a trip...but so far, no flares. It is getting better now, but I don't do that much anyway...just try to enjoy myself...and if my body says rest; I listen.
The tortoise wins this race for sure, not the rabbit.💞

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