New member | Arthritis Information

Hi, My hubby has just been given a diagnosis of suspected PMR so I was hoping I could join the discussions and get some info please.

After 18months of high CRP (over 100) and ESR (78) with all other tests showing nothing the Drs have made a diagnosis of PMR based on elimination. Hubby is aged 50.

Hubbys main symptom was extreme fatigue, - he lost all energy, and his concentration and short term memory have been severley affected. The confusing part is he has no muscle or joint pain at all!! He does have stiffness (which I realise was probably worse than we thought - he had just become used to it!).

The Dr started him on prednisone 25mg and within 24 hrs he was feeling an improvement. My understanding is that this implies that the PMR diagosis is correct? He will be having blood tests next week and will follow up with the Dr then.

Im wondering if anyone has heard of other PMR sufferers having no pain just the extreme fatigue?

Thanks.

Hi Pudding

Visit www.pmr-gca-northeast.co.uk

Read up and then come back and ask all the questions you like. Someone on this site will always answer you.

And Yes, I have heard of other PMR sufferes having no pain - but it is very rare.
I think another male member, Ragnar, did not have any pain. I cannot remember if he had PMR or GCA. He was a very active member and taught us how to reduce Pred very slowly. It might be worth your time to look in the archives for Ragnar's posts. He also pops in here from time to time to give us encouragement that this PMR will end one day!!

The positive relief your husband has got from the Pred is just another tick that it, maybe PMR. As there is not a positive test to diagnose PMR it is by elimination as you have found.
I hope he is feeling less fatigued every day and more alert.
Some days it pays to not push too hard as you can have a bummer the next. This disease that no one knows anything about ( until you get it) is very frustrating, for the patient and family.
Gentle hugs to you both, Lyn
Hi Pudding and Lyn,

I had pmr as well as GCA but didn´t have any bad pain. I was stiff and had fatigue. Now I have been off pred for 1 ½ years and feel fine except that I get tired easily when doing some physical excercise - but I am 72, so it could be age too. You can read "my story" including how I tapered on http://www.pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk/stories.php The forum also contains much valuable material!

Ragnar

Thanks for the replies. I have been reading the forum and looked at the recommended websites and they have given me lots of really helpful info thanks.

Hubby is not under a rheumatologist at the moment and from reading posts it appears it would be ideal if he was. We are located in Sydney, Australia - I would really appreciate it if any of the Sydney members could pass on a name of a recommended specialist. Obviously we would prefer to see one who is familiar with PMR.

Thanks