Diagnosed with RA last year. Hip pain makes walking hard

I guess I meant to ask the question.. should I go back on prednisone to get over this hump?
Also my dr is not sure if I have PMR or RA.

Why not try a biologic? They really helped me get over a hump. I have a condition that is like Lupus and at times like RA, then it will go radio silent and then flare up. What I have is Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease. Now that I am 75 it is so much better than when I was in my 40's. I have used Prednisone, and the malaria medication used for Lupus. I finally got off of both medications after 15 years. The reason I mention where I am is that I have come through the worst symptoms you are mentioning and now at 75 I am managing symptoms that I can handle, I am not in the bed and going to the doctors several times a month. There is an upside to the condition playing itself out....

How were you diagnosed?

To determine PMR or all doctor has to do is take your Sedimentation rate also known as ESR. That will tell him if you have PMR. If it is, you have to increase your prednisone rheumatoid there are some some very good drugs which you should be on.

@marilynredder2367
Which drugs have you found are good?

Prednisone and Actemra.

@marilynredder2367. Thanks for responding so quickly! I really don't want to start prednisone again if possible. I have terrible anxiety and rarely sleep - prednisone made it even worse if you can imagine that. Would you be able to be on Actemra alone? Any side affects? Are you taking supplements? Sorry so many questions

I’m on both. Problem with the prednisone is that after so many years, my adrenals are asleep permanently and won’t function without a steroid, but I feel control of GCA is with Actemra.

I woke up one morning and felt sore. Like I had completed a hard workout, lots of squats., etc. The next day I felt like I was hit by a truck. Saw a rheumatologist. She said PMR. She put me on prednisone and I felt fine. After 10 months, she had me taper off. But in the meantime, she started me on methotrexate and folic acid, which I am presently on. When I went off prednisone, the pain start to come back. Not as bad, but some days are better than others. It’s my shoulders and one hip. She now thinks i have RA.
I walk with a slight limp most days. I might be making it sound like I’m worse off than I am. I can walk the dog some days and not others. I was able to play tennis. Not so much right now.
I’m looking for another rheumatologist but it’s hard to get an appointment.
Thanks for your reply.
🙂

I need the pred for adrenals. So no couldn’t be on actemraa alone but some people are. I am on the usual supplements nothing unusual or different.