Any help from muscle relaxants?

@notacopy, Three weeks waiting to see a rheumatologist sounds like an eternity when you are in pain. I don't have any experience with muscle relaxers but I did see some information on muscle relaxation for PMR that might be helpful while you wait for other members to share their experience using muscle relaxers for PMR pain.

--- The Benefits of Progressive Muscle Relaxation and How to Do It: https://www.healthline.com/health/progressive-muscle-relaxation.

Have you been diagnosed with PMR?

Thanks so much! My orthopedist thought that PMR sounds right but wouldn't make a formal diagnosis. But I have done lots of research the last 6 wks. When I put my symptoms into Symptom Checker, PMR comes right up. I have every one of the symptoms! The final check will be if I respond quickly to steroids. It's agonizing waiting.
I have heard of the progressive muscle relaxing techniques although hadn't thought of them with regard to my present situation.
Thanks for this.

Can your orthopedist prescribe a short course of steroids to see if the symptoms go away? It might be worth a quick discussion with them. Also, there are other conditions that mimic PMR which adds to the problem of diagnosing the condition.
--- Diseases that mimic polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR): https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/diseases-that-mimic-polymyalgia-rheumatica

Hi and thanks for info. I had thought of each of these diseases that mimic PMR. None of them fit. And the orthopedist wouldn't prescribe a steroid until the disease is clinically diagnosed.

I started with an ortho because I thought my issues started with back pain/sciatic issues (which I do have). He took x-rays and blood tests. X-ray were all normal, but inflammation markers were high. About a week later, after increasing pain, he gave me an Rx for a 6-pack of methylprednisolone and a referral for a rheumatologist (minimum 2 months out). It started working in hours and felt great throughout the 6-day period. First day after the stiffness and pain returned and got worse over several days. So not wanting to wait 2 months, I went to my new PCP and my inflammation markers were even higher. At first they thought it was RA and gave me an RX for Meloxicam. It did nothing and pain got worse to the extent I was laid flat for a week and could barely get out of bed. Called my PCP and got an Rx for 20mg of prednisone. Within a few hours was feeling better and fairly normal within in a couple of days. They came to the conclusion it was PMR and I'm glad they did, as it was confirmed by my rheumy.

If possible, I would see if the ortho (or your PCP) could get you an Rx for a 6-pack and see how that goes. I don't relish being on prednisone, but it does work and am working on tapering cautiously.

Good luck!

Thank you! This is all very helpful. My ortho could not (or would not) prescribe steroids because he said it hadn't been clinically diagnosed. I also have sciatic issues which is why I first saw an ortho. I wish he'd been as helpful as yours! The pain is getting steadily worse and some morning I don't think I'll make it out of bed. Counting the hours till I see the rheumatologist. Maybe I'll try my PCP...

I would get in with your PCP ASAP. One of the things I learned personally and in this group, is that PMR comes on SUDDENLY! When I went to my ortho, on June 7th, it was for pain and stiffness on a 3/10 scale in the morning. It then built a bit over a week and wouldn't go away. We did the 6-pack a week later (June 13-18) and by the 21st I was back up to a 4/10 level. Saw my PCP on the 26th and was at 5/10 level in the morning and 4/10 in the evening. Started on the Meloxicam on the 27th and by July 3, no relief with a constant 7+/10 all day. Called PCP on the 3rd, but didn't get a return call until the 5th, when the 20mg prednisone was started. As I said, pain eased in hours and except for couple of "baby flares" when reducing my pred, all has been good since.

Another thing I learned on this site is that since we are researching so much trying to find answers, we may know more about this "curse" than many doctors. I was lucky that mine figured it out fairly quickly. But I believe we need to be more persistent with our providers to listen to us.

From what I've read/researched, is PMR diagnosis is difficult as it does not present any outward clues. We have inflammation in our joints, but there is no swelling and blood test inflammation markers may be normal. I'm not sure why my ortho decided to check mine, but am glad he did and my PCP was able to use that.

Good luck!

Thanks. I've requested a 6 day course to get me through till the 27th when I see a rheumatologist.

FYI: I was tried on a muscle relaxant prior to my PMR diagnosis at my request. Did nothing. Fortunately my PCP considered PMR, ordered the correct blood tests, and started me on prednisone while I waited the 3 months for the rheumatology appointment.

I'm counting the days until I see the rheumatologist. The muscle relaxant is doing very little to help. I have asked my PCP to order the tests helpful in diagnosing PMR so that I can at least get on a steroid soon! This is all so frustrating. I appreciate all the helpful comments from others.