I have been possibly diagnosed with PMR. They have ordered more blood tests before making a definate diagnosis. I am 38, my sed rate was 158, I have achy muscles but for the most part I am just a little sore, if anything. In the past two years I have had a total of only 12-15 days when I haven't been able to move. The doc originally thought I had fibromyalgia, then changed her mind when she saw my sed rate. I flat out refuse to take prednisone, especially since I am quite comfortable most of the time anyway. That is why I am looking for other alternatives.
Also, has anyone gotten over this? How long does it generally last?
I am so happy to have found this forum!!!!
LAURALEE, I AM SORRY TO TELL YOU THAT YOU NEVER GET OVER ARTHRITIS. IT MAY GO INTO A REMISSION NOW AND THEN BUT IT STAYS WITH YOU FOREVER. THERE IS NO CURE BUT THEY HAVE COME A LONG WAY WITH MEDS THAT CAN HELP TO ALEVIATE SOME OF THE PAIN AND DEFORMITY IT CAN CAUSE. I HAVE ONLY TAKEN PREDNIZONE A FEW TIMES BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE THE WEIGHT GAIN. I ALREADY HAVE TO MUCH WEIGHT SO MY RHUEMY AND I HAVE TRIED OTHER THINGS. I HOPE YOU REMAIN IN AS GOOD AS SHAPE AS YOU ARE NOW. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WAY THE PREDNIZONE WORKS, THEN TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT OTHER TREATMENTS AVAILABLE TO YOU. GOOD LUCK, I HOPE YOU FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. MELODY
Hi, Lauralee -
I was diagnosed with PMR approx 6 weeks ago, and went on low dose prednisone at that time. Initially I didn't want to take a corticosteroid either, but I was so stiff and sore it was difficult to keep up with work on my hobby farm, and I'm glad I started prednisone because I feel great and am really enjoying every day. I tried at 10 mg, went up to 15 mg/day and am now starting to reduce the dose. I have more energy than usual, so am more active than usual, and am actually losing a little weight on prednisone. Steroids do increase the appetite, but I know that and am careful about my calorie intake. According to my doctor, the risk of side effects at this dosage are very low.
It seems each case is different, but according to most of what I've read, PMR lasts an average of 2 years. I've seen where some folks have been able to go off medication within 6 months. Others are on low-dose prednisone for years. PMR has come back for quite a few members of this board, but keep in mind that those who had PMR and recovered fully have no reason to be here!
Ruth
Thank you for the replies!
I just got back from the doctor's office. They wanted to run some additional blood tests and didn't have enough blood left over from my appointment last week to do it, so they took some more. I asked them to repeat the sed rate test to see if we get the same result.
Ruth - I am so glad you are feeling better and the prednisone is working so well for you!
Regards
Sheila
Hi Lauralee,
I have been reading off and on the postings on this board for a couple of mths now. What I see here is a great number of people that are on a huge number of drugs. Arthritis seems to go along with a great number of drugs.
I suffer from RA as well as OA and have muscle involvement. I have had some form of Arthritis for 15 yrs now. Slowly and steadily I have been going downhill until 3 yrs ago.
My future saw me in a wheelchair as it was progressing quickly, I am too young for transplants and I am unable to take most meds. Being of professional medical background and knowing professional medical people that are open minded we searched out other ways of helping me heal.
I read of those who are on so many meds. They go from one to another, sometimes dropping off some but most times adding on more. My friends and I have found ways to help our bodies balance and heal.
There is one thing here is that we find we are improving steadily and we are becoming stronger and have more energy, we have less pain, we will lick our disease and even thou we will always have the pretense for the disease we will not let it take our bodies over.
I too have a ranch, it is hard work but very gratifiying. With what I do each day I look up the heaven's and thank Him for putting me on my straight road to regaining my health. Traditional is effective but I have not seen one person saying that their dr can hold them on a drug and be effective for along time. This is why new drugs are being made each yr. Arthtitis is big business, so is cancer.
There is a way you can change your inner bodies and become less acidic, arthritis loves acid........ give your cells more energy..... arthritis likes to have cells that are couch potatoes, if you can get to the root of your problem instead of treating the symptoms then and only then can you heal.
Believe me or not but I am well, gone from not walking many steps at all to functioning at my ranch. Each mth gets better and better.
Anyone can contact me at mysteryarabpt@cyberlink.bc.ca I love to talk, I love to give info. ONce you have my info and how my friends and I are coping then YOU decide what to do.
I will sign off with giving you what I take daily...... ganoderma/rooibus tea (4 cups a day for balancing the immune system and helping the digestive system), Oxygen Elements (for cellular respiration, extra minerals for buffering acid body, amino acids for healing cells), Silica ( for soft tissue esp lungs, muscles, tendons ligaments), homeopathic formulas for arthritis, menopause and anti inflammatory.
That is all, nothing more, nothing less, remember I have very little and some times no pain, I improve each mth. I gotta love it!!!!! Do take care and hope to hear from some readers for my info.
Remember HEALTH IS BALANCE Peggy
The nurse called with the results of my additional blood tests. My sed rate is now 6. The first test result was apparently a mistake. They also checked my ANA and my rheumatiod factor and both were negative. So, she changed my diagnosis from polymyalgia to fibromyalgia. In two weeks I will give them more blood to re-check the sed rate just to be sure the lower number is the right one. My c reactive protein level was normal.
I wish you all well and I hope you get relief from this condition!
peggy - I have always had a problem with doctors who do nothing more than throw drugs, and lots of them, at anyone who comes through their door. They have been trained to do that and they have been brainwashed by the pharmaceutical reps who encourage indiscriminate use of drugs. Most doctors I have had contact with look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I don't want their pills, what I want are alternatives. That said, I know that medicines have their place and are extremely necessary in certain situations. I just prefer not to take them. I now begin my journey to find what will work for me to control the fibromyalgia. It may take awhile, but I have complete confidence I can do it.
P.S. I agree with your statement that health is balance.