Do I have PMR | Arthritis Information

Hell, folks. This is my first day online with you. I have had a cluster of symptoms for four months and yet, despite seeing several doctors, I have no diagnosis or treatment. Several medical tests have proven negative. I have had a "sed" test, which was negative, but I question its relability. Here are my symptoms: aching body with pain fluctuating from day to day, general feeling of malaise, weakness, tingling and numb fingers, pressure in my head fluctuating throughout the day, hoarseness. The pain in my musles covers neck, shoulders, upper back, arms, and thighs, as well as other parts to lesser extent. Any opinions about whether I might have PMR. Responses will be very much appreciated. Thanks, all.

Sean, None of us are doctors but it sounds to me that you likely have PMR. Blood tests are not always conclusive. If you haven't included a rheumatologist in your doctor visits, suggest you see one ASAP. If you are having jaw pains and headaches and maybe vision problems (you mentioned pressure in your head), you might be having GCA, giant cell arteritis, which is related to PMR and can be very serious and you should be on a high dose of prednisone right now!

Hope this helps.

Sean,

Is it hard to lift your arms above your head? That's one of the hallmarks of PMR shoulder-girdle pain. When I first got it, I couldn't get a t-shirt off, it hurt so bad to try to get my arms in position to do so. Had to "roll" out of bed; couldn't just sit up. You could always ask your dr. for a trial dose of prednisone. He could give you 10-20 to take for a couple of weeks. Taking it for that short of time, you could just quit with no problems if it didn't work. But if you felt major relief within 1-4 days, that would be a great indicator that you PMR.

Reni
With my second bout of PMR my sedrate was normal ...so it could well be PMR especially if the pain is bilateral.Sean, welcome to our group. The others here have given you good advice. I have PMR diagnosed by a rheumatologist after extensive tests to rule out other causes of my symptoms. I have had a normal sed rate (ESR) and normal CR protein all along (these are both inflammatory markers). If you google "polymyalgia rheumatica normal ESR" you should find masses of literature on this phenomena. Up to 20% of people can have normal ESR, esp men, esp younger patients. As to a diagnosis, you need a battery of blood test to eliminate other things. So you need a decent rheumatologist right now. However, in the meantime, your doc should prescribe you a weeks worth of prednisone as a trial. Say 20mg a day. One of the diagnostic criteria is a fast response to low-dose prednisone. Just interested Sean, how old are you? Here's hoping you get a diagnosis one way or another very soon. Sean, Chico,

Hi, again. I see I neglected to put mg after the 10-20 pred. I typed in my earlier post. That should be 10-20 mg pred. a day for a weekor so. Sorry. Thanks for catching that Chico!

Reni
Welcome Sean from another newbie. I was diagnosed last sept. Don't
accept a dx from anyone not a rheumatologist. I was told that first we
eliminate other similar conditions like RA then try prednisone to see if there
is quick releif. The discription of of your symptoms sounds right on. Blood
work can be a helpful indication of general inflammation but is not specific
to pmr. I actually have a positive rheumatoid factor, but no symptoms so
the tests are not definitive.
Hope you get a diagnosis soon and find some relief.

Geralyn

Sean,

Chico says it all. I tried the pred for just a few days and it was shocking. I stopped and saw my doctor a week later and decided to take it for 6 months then taper down. I started at 10mg, which isn't too bad for me. I lost a couple of pounds my first month and have been doing well since. PMR is diagnosed by exclusion mainly. So try the pred if you can and get the blood tests.

Take care and keep us informed...we all care and want to help. This forum is really a great community of wonderful people suffering from a little known horrid disease.

Kathy