← Return to Can PMR come on more gradually?

Discussion

Can PMR come on more gradually?

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jul 4, 2023 | Replies (22)
Comment receiving replies
@becky72

Thank you for replying. I went back to my results. My CRP was 19.6 . He said he had no way of telling what caused this inflammation so could not go along with PMR diagnosis of primary doctor. He also said I would have to be in a flare for him to take proper blood work. I didn’t see a sed rate but he did a rheumatoid arthritis panel and they were all normal. My primary doctor had given me two short bursts of 20 prednisone which stopped it in its tracks almost immediately. I am using Tylenol now for stiffness and some pain. I can handle that but it is the fatigue which is overpowering. I waited 7 months for an appointment with him and he said there was nothing he could do.

Jump to this post

Replies to "Thank you for replying. I went back to my results. My CRP was 19.6 . He..."
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 30, 2023

I think if it were me, I would ask for a second opinion from another rheumatologist. Especially given that you mentioned the prednisone helped immediately. Here's another reference on the topic.

"Normal ESR and CRP should not stop to include PMR in differential diagnosis."
--- Polymyalgia rheumatica with normal values of both erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein concentration at the time of diagnosis: https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/58/5/921/5285558

VIEW AND REPLY
Teri | @tsc | Jul 2, 2023

Hi @becky72, I had severe fatigue after the onset of symptoms. I could manage a walk, but after that just sat around for the rest of the day, doing only what was necessary. Bloodwork showed I had anemia related to the PMR and GCA I was later diagnosed with. It is called anemia of chronic inflammation. Do you know if you're anemic?

VIEW AND REPLY