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Is it PMR?
As I've shared in the past, I have had terrible pain in my arms and legs (shoulders & hips) for over 10 years. I was relieved when I got my PMR diagnosis a year ago thinking there would be a way to control my pain. It also thought it gave me some credibility about my pain - it isn't all in my head, and it isn't fibromyalgia.
Mid November I went to the beach with my husband. I had had some problems with trigger finger on my middle finger on the right hand, but used my cane to walk anyway. On the second day both hands became swollen and I couldn't make a fist with the right. I thought for sure I had irritated my "mild" carpal tunnel. Eight weeks later, I finally was referred for an MRI on the hand. I was SHOCKED by the results.
My diagnosis changed in an instant to Seronegative Rhumatoid Arthritis. It is RA that doesn't show up on any bloodwork. We never would have figured it out if my hand hadn't blown up. Same treatments as PMR. So I guess now I'm in the wrong group.
Thank you all for your encouragement, knowledge and love in this group. I wish you all a pain free and happy New Year.
Terri
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Don't feel like you are in the wrong group. If you were diagnosed with PMR and treated with long term Prednisone you have more in common with this group than not.
I have multiple autoimmune conditions including PMR. For some reason, I feel more at home with people who have PMR just because of my long term Prednisone use.
I was involved with a seronegative inflammatory arthritis group before I was diagnosed with PMR. I never felt like I belonged in that group because those folks were rarely treated with prednisone for long periods of time. They were mostly treated with TNF-inhibitors while I was on prednisone for years. I was welcomed into the inflammatory arthritis group but I had a hard time defending prednisone.
If you are currently on Prednisone ... it might not be so easy to taper off.
"Your doctor may have you use a TNF inhibitor in combination with other drugs, such as methotrexate, prednisone, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), leflunomide (Arava), or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)."
https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/tnf-inhibitor-inflammation
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Other than the treatment approach to inflammatory arthritis with the use of TNF inhibitors, everything else is the same. The pain is similar no matter what autoimmune disorder people have. None of these autoimmune disorders are an exclusive group based on a diagnosis. Nothing prevents a person diagnosed with PMR from also having inflammatory arthritis.
My personal belief is there should be more emphasis on treating the chronic inflammation and less emphasis on treating a diagnosis. A diagnosis is often wrong.
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2 ReactionsThank you for your words, I rarely feel as though I belong in groups. I appreciate you.
My Rheumy lives in Phoenix, I’m in Central Oregon. She is retired and is only here every 4 months. The other traveling doctor is here when she isn’t. He triggered my medical PTSD and I refuse to see him again as he messed with my head for weeks after my appointment with him.
The “good doc” is starting me on leflunomide and is putting me back on 5 mg prednisone. I have blood tests in seven days and every 30 days after that until she gets back. She told me the other jerk has to follow me while she’s gone, but I won’t go see him.
Meanwhile, I can’t take NSAID’s for pain, only a fever reducer - Tylenol. Nothing short of 20mg prednisone has helped the pain in the past. Maybe cortisone shots in my hands, shoulders and hips will help?
Terri