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Do I have polymyalgia rheumatica?
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Aug 5, 2023 | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for your feedback, everyone -- it's much appreciated! My doctor called this morning to confirm a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica, based on my blood test results. I'm just about to go pick up a prescription of prednisone to start treatment. I'm a little anxious about taking prednisone, especially as I already have osteoporosis, but I've been doing some research on diet and making a list of things to eat that will give me more calcium and vitamin D. I am also cutting red meat, processed foods, and margarine out of my diet. I don't have a rheumatologist at this time, and it would probably take months to get to see one. I'm also looking at exercise -- I love walking, gardening, swimming and I also attend Tai chi classes twice a week, although I've hardly been doing anything the past couple of weeks because of the pain, and the fact that too much exercise seemed to make me feel worse the next day. Thanks again for the info you have provided me with. This might be a long journey, but once the pain and stiffness have settled down, I look forward to getting my life back. I'm also wondering if physical therapy would help -- has anyone tried this as well?
Replies to "Thanks for your feedback, everyone -- it's much appreciated! My doctor called this morning to confirm..."
For your piece of mind get your doctor to order a bone density scan, their are medications he can prescribe.
Best to you on this journey. Take it slowly!
Hi @charlotte61, since you've been doing TaiChi you might want to check out Dr. Loren Fishman's work and his Twelve Poses vs Osteoporosis, which you can find on YouTube.
I have osteoporosis, diagnosed after my GCA diagnosis. I have been taking alendronate for two years, (not wild about that). I started on 40 mg of Prednisone, then tapered off it in about a year and a half. My second DEXA scan was much like the first so the Prednisone didn't do more damage. I've been doing Dr. Fishman's yoga nearly everyday for ten months.
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Hi Charlotte, I am sorry that you have received this diagnosis but at least you now know what has been causing your awful pain. When you begin prednisone you will probably experience a amazing decrease/end of your joint pain. You didn’t mention how many mg you will be taking. For me the 25mg was not enough at first so my dr. increased it to 30, which worked like a charm. After a while I started to taper (under the dr. supervision.) A couple of things to consider. I am now taking a bunch of daily supplements: 1000 calcium (divided), 2000 vit D, vit K(to help the calcium get into bones), Pepcid (dr. said it will prevent stomach bleeds from Prednisone). I have been diagnosed with osteopenia and my last dexa scan results look like it is trending towards osteoporosis. Dr. advised me to begin taking fozamax, so I am. Like you, I am an exerciser, walking several miles daily, yoga 2x per week and lots of golf. I would definitely keep up your exercise but just not too strenuously (listen to your body). As far as PT, you could wait a bit to see if your pain diminishes after taking prednisone. If you still have body aches, there might be something else going on and PT may help. Believe me, I was not a fan of taking prednisone, but not being able to get out of bed without excruciating pain made me a believer. As many others have said in this support group, quality of life is so important. Be patient and let us know how you are doing.
Liz Ward
PS. I too am now pretty strict about diet. Pretty much Mediterranean diet with little/no red meat, no salt or sugar, no white flour or processed foods. I do believe it has helped off set some of prednisone’s side effects (bloating and weight gain) plus keeping inflammatory foods out of my system.