Ok, I have this new idea. Since I am frustrated with the doc telling me she
has a hard tine with the dx cause of my age, and since so many of us are in
our 50's... I am looking for a doc in the Boston are who treats LOTS of PMR
patients in their 50's. My online searches for rheumys in Boston and their
specilties not paying off... Any ideas on how to do this search - or is it just a
crazy idea? pgr555,
Hmmm.... I had not thought to try that, although I'm not sure how you'd find out if they treat LOTS of patients in their 50's unless you'd call each one individually and ask. I asked my rheumy last year if he saw lots of PMR patients, and he said yes. I just neglected to ask how many were in the 50's. He doesn't go by the age thing with PMR, and did say once when I told him about all the younger ones on this forum that the medical service is doing the patients a "great disservice" by sticking to that diagnostic list that includes the advanced age for proper diagnosis. Good luck with your search.
Reni
pgr555,
When I was diagnosed I did some research and found this at:
arthritis.about.com/od/pmr/a/
Although it does say the average onset is 70, it also says that white women over the age of 50 are most at risk. The way the information is stated the average person would think that they are at risk at around age 50...go figure????
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Who Is at Risk of Developing Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis?
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I see my rheumy on Sept 4th and I'll make sure to ask about age of patients with PMR. I'm in the Portland OR area so that won't help you too much. I can imagine how frustrated you must be.
Take care,
Kathy
Hi again...
Just one more thought. I don't know too many 70+ year olds, but I know if I was 20 years older I might not be very computer literate and probably wouldn't be online. I have one aunt who does email but she doesn't do too much other than that. Maybe there are lots of older ones being diagnosed with PMR???? I will definitely ask my rheumy about the ages of her patients with PMR.
Anyway, it was just a thought
Take care all!!!!!
Thank you all! yes i agree about the computer thing - I know a number of
Hi Reni,
I'm in Beaverton and will be seeing Anita Goel at St. Vincents. She was recommended by my PCP. I found this blurb about her on the Providence website:
Anita Goel, M.D.
Director, Subspecialty Education in Rheumatology, Providence St. Vincent Internal Medicine Residency Program
Assistant Professor, Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases, Oregon Health & Sciences University
Private Practice, Rheumatology, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
I don't know anyone who has ever used a Rheumy so had no point of reference. My PCP says she has been in the area for a long time and they have heard very good things about her. I hope she is good. If I decide I don't like her I might check out your rheumy. Thanks for the info. My Internal Medicine Doc is in Lake Oswego, her name is Laura Nepveu and she also treats a friend of mine with Fibromyalgia who recommended her to me. She is wonderful but not a rheumy.
I over-did it today helping my sister pack up my nieces house for a move. My niece is in the hospital and has to be out of her apartment within a week and my sister is burning the candle at both ends. I've had a bad headache all afternoon in the back and top of my head (not normal for me at all). Also aching a bit in the shoulders and arms. Does Pred make you feel fuzzy headed? I feel like I've been in a fog for a couple of days now.
I'm VERY happy to hear that you are doing much better. 5 years is a long time but it's good to know there is an end to this.
Take care! Kathy
HI, Kathy!