1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)
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PMR: Please suggest important first questions to ask rheumatologist

Posted by terryartist @terryartist, Apr 7 4:17pm

I was diagnosed 3 months ago by my GP after 2 months of pain. I am on 15 mg prednisone which initially took most of my pain away. Now I find everything creeping back but still not nearly as bad as it was. Fatigue is really crazy as well as hand and foot cramping. I do not know what is prednisone… what is because I am trying to do to much, I just am very afraid of pain returning full on. I want to make this first meeting as informative and productive as possible . What are some important questions that I may not have thought about but should be asking? Thank you !

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terryartist | @terryartist | Apr 19 9:07am
In reply to @csimmonds "These are great questions to ask. It has been over a year since my diagnosis and..." + (show)
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These are great questions to ask. It has been over a year since my diagnosis and I still have many questions. My rheumatologist provided no information and didn't seem to appreciate being asked questions. I got very brief answers. I have looked to others and this group for information. (may need to switch doctors) I am tapering off prednisone and doing fairly well I think. Some pain but it goes away. Still need Tylenol. I am going to use these questions as I move forward. I still don't know if there is a definitive diagnosis for PMR. Is it mainly from symptoms and some lab?

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@csimmonds got me it was a combo of symptoms and high inflation markers in my blood. My rheumatologist said he was certain I have PMR. Good luck with your tapering off!

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Mary Kelly Dunn | @mlz | Apr 26 1:32pm

I have PMR. At my first visit my rheumatologist provided a great deal of info. She told me: what PMR is, what the disease course could be (remission, exacerbation, or both over time), how it is treated: prednisone as short a term as possible and how to taper, newer biologic (Kevzara), a drug that reduces Interlukin 6, a cytokine that causes inflammation in small blood vessels and that cannot be given until tested for TB and Hepatitis B, what to use for pain: NOT Nsaids, use time release acetaminophen "for arthritis", when to return, when to get bloodwork. Ask how to contact with questions or problems (there might be a patient portal). Your rheumatologist should give you a physical exam and you will be asked to complete forms about your health history, your family's health history, your current medications, your other providers. Also since PMR is associated sometimes with giant cell arteritis (GCA) your rheumatologist will tell you what to do if you have symptoms of this...headache, pain in your temples and jaw, vision changes especially loss of vision. Having GCA is a medical emergency. Go to the emergency room. I'm sure there could be more questions. Maybe have a family member go with you to take notes...someone you live with so they will understand your illness.

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