I was just wondering who suffers or suffered with joint pain? With muscle pain? Both? Which was worse? Thanks for your help.i was diagnosed a year ago..and i suffer sometimes with muscle pain. when i first got pmr, i couldnt use my arms..sometimes, that happens even now..and i am on 5 mg of pred..(nothing like before..but if i am tired..or had some stress........)
if you are still questioning your diagnosis..get a second opinion..this disease is still a mystery to many drs.
hope you feel better..
cathi
pksmdrag,
I suffered from what felt like joint pain (it may have been muscle pain, but so close to the joints, it felt more like joint pain). I did have muscle pain, too, but the joint pain was the worst for me. The hips hurt so bad I could hardly walk up or down stairs, and I could only walk for about a half block before major pain set in. I have been free of PMR for a couple of years now, after having it for 5 years. Most of that 5 years was pain, since the docs at first couldn't figure out what was wrong, then one refused to believe the diagnosis of PMR (this was a rheumatologist even), and then I just got fed up and didn't see another doc for a year. Finally was on prednisone for a year after having had PMR for 2 years. Bummer. But finally quit the pred., went on plaquenil for 6 months, and then quit all meds because I was just tired of having taken so many for so long. Am glad to be rid of the PMR; still trying to get back to my pre-PMR exercise level, and don't know if I ever will. But then, I'm not any younger either.
Thank you CathiB and Reni for your replies. I was diagnosed back in Feb. 08 with PMR. I was 43 years old at the time. I had swollen joints and could hardly move. I was retaining about 10 pounds of extra fluid (prednisone took care of that in a week). I've never been totally convinced that I have the right diagnosis. I just don't feel that I really have muscle pain that most mention. Today I am on 5 mg prednisone and 400 mg Plaquenil (I only started the Plaquenil 3 months ago.) I've been at 5 mg for almost 6 weeks and it isn't working out. I have more swelling in all my joints (knuckles, wrists, shoulders, elbows, knees, feet, hips, and spine.) I can only see swelling in the knuckles and wrists. Its hard to squat due to the fluid there. My feet hurt so much to walk but I still try to walk our dog 1.75 miles to 3 miles most days of the week. When fatigue hits it hits hard and I don't walk at all. I'm not sure if I have inflammation in my spine or not, but it bothers me. I am not scheduled to see my rheumatologist until the beginning of April, but I might end up trying to change that appointment. I hate to go back up on the prednisone (I did that before from 5 back up to 7). Its just a psychological thing! The discomfort may get the best of me. I started having trouble opening some things long before any swelling set in. I don't know. Sometimes I just get frustrated (like everyone else). I get tired of being sick. I get tired of hurting. I'm glad my kids are teenagers and can help out. I'm sure you have experienced this - you look ok, but you feel awful and you can't go around and tell everyone that. Anyway, I don't think I will get a second opinion yet since I feel my rheumatologist is treating me and is watching my hands closely. Thanks for all of your support. It certainly helps.