Appt. with new rheumy | Arthritis Information
I had my first appt. with my new rheumy since my old one moved out and I must say I liked him alot more. My old rheumy, a woman, was always making comments that she doubted my PMR dx. She thought I was too young at 53 and the fact that I only had symptoms in one arm not both, even though I had all the other symptoms that go along with PMR and both thighs were involved. My blood work was always normal but you can still have PMR with normal SED rates.
Anyway, my new rheumy is on board 100% with my diagnosis and that makes me more comfortable. I did ask about staying on mtx and he too wants me to continue with it. Obviously here in the states the rheumatological society suggests it for steroid tapering and that is what the docs here follow so I will remain on it for now since I don't have any bad side effects and my blood work continues to show my liver is tolerating it.
I have tapered to 9mg from 10mg and everything is going well.
Alot of you have commented about the colder weather affecting your PMR. Have you considered that it may be osteoarthritis. It is very normal as we age to develop this and the colder temps will definately affect it. I have arthritis pretty much in my entire spine and when I first started on steroids alot of my symptoms cleared up but I never got total relief in my shoulders or neck. Some of the lumbar area improved though.
If the flu like feeling returns or my thighs or left arm are affected I know it is PMR symptoms but the increase with pain in the shoulders or lumbar/hip area I put down as osteoarthritis. I do know that I don't want to increase my prednisone at the first sign of a little pain because I still have pain all the time. For the osteoarthritis pain I use tylenol and tramadol, a non-narcotic pain med, and this works quite well. Also, I've found that cold packs work better for me than heat when I have a very sore spot.
Maybe you could ask your rheumatologist about the possibility of osteoarthritis and how to distinguish the differences between the two regarding pain.
Hi russellcat,
I do have osteoarthritis in my hands. I've talked to my rheumy and the pain that I have now is definitely PMR related. It's in my shoulders and hips, just as when I first was diagnosed. However, the pain isn't nearly as bad as in the beginning. The prednisone is definitely helping in that respect. I'm pretty sure that what's happening pain-wise is because of my rather quick taper to 10 mg. I know better than to taper that fast...I just sometimes get so sick of my moon face and bruised arms. Now my opthamologist tells me that I have cataracts that appear to be getting worse more quickly due to the prednisone and also borderline glaucoma. I'm planning to stay at 10 mg. for awhile before I taper again. I seem to have a hard time getting below 10 mg.
Glad you like your new rheumy and that your taper is going well!
Jannie
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com