pmr and anemia | Arthritis Information

75 yr old male diagnosed with PMR 3 days ago.

Lab= sed rate 89 and hemoglobin 11.7 (was 13.5 before symptoms started 2 weeks ago))

Is this anemia consistent with the diagnosis? I know "mild anemia" is described but no mentioning of when the level is worrisome for another problem other than PMR.

Started on 15 mg prednisone and symptoms better by at least 50%! Early AM's still somewhat "hairy" from pains in shoulders and pelvis and hands.

Does anyone know what their Hemoglobin was at the onset and has it come up when the inflammation is under control?

Thanks in advance

Hi moishe, in my case anaemia was also low, and further tests were done to eliminate other conditions, including leukemia.

My CRP and white cell count were also high and I had lost a lot of weight.

From memory my sed rate was 114 and hemoglobin 9.0. Normal for me is around 13.5 and I am currently at that level.

As soon as the pain was controlled with our friend / foe, Pred, the blood levels gradually come back to normal limits. My Sed Rate and CRP go up and down when I reduce Pred and have a flare... pain ect returns. My haemoglobin has not gone down again!

Mornings hopefully are going to get better as you progress, my tip to help is :

to have breakfast in bed and take Pred with food, snuggle down for a few hours and then get up.

Keep asking anything , most of us had never heard of PMR before we were hit with it!!

Lyn

thanks, Lyn

Your post was encouraging.I am on my 4th day of prednisone (15mg now-was 10 mg first 2 days) and after about 3 hrs the pains and stiffness start to diminish by about 50% at mid afternoon.The eve's are ok but early in the AM in bed the pains are full blown.

I wonder if my doc will increase the dose slightly if only 50% benefit continues.

Thanks again for the prompt reply from the land of OZ!

[QUOTE=moishe]as 13.5 before symptoms started 2 weeks ago)) Yep anemia goes along with it.. On my visits to the rheumatologist I usually stop by and donate blood afterwards as it is a long trip from where I live..Last month I knew I was feeling worse but after going to the rheumatologist I went ahead and went to Carter Blood Care to donate my pint of blood like I always do.. I guess I do listen to my body b/c they would not take it since my hgB and Hct were low...The next day my rheumatologist called and told me not to decrease my Prednisone b/c my ESR and CRP were elevated again. When my ESR and CRP go up and my PMR acts up I feel like I am coming down with the flu. My face gets flushed and my upper lip area starts to have a warm or hot sensation to it.. That has been my clue so far.. Today though I am hurting all over...my bones and muscles are killing me today for some reason...It turned cold here yesterday morning. Maybe that has something to do with it.. My rheumatologist says it has to do with the atmospheric pressure.Can you still donate blood when taking prednisone etc. and suffering from PMR? I admit I'd already mentally crossed myself off the list when I was diagnosed.

I know that different rules apply in different countries - here in Germany I've been excluded since around 2000 since the Red Cross service began to think that we Brits were all infected with BSE, but I was an occasional donor in Britain when I was over. Does anyone know the rules in Britain?

Thanks and best reards,

C.

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