hello I am new and very worried. | Arthritis Information

 

About a year ago i noticed a burning feeling in my upper right arm.  It didnt really bother me and didn't happen that often and I thought it was muscular.   I also noticed that when I laid on my tummy in bed.. my right shoulder would hurt if it was resting on the pillow.   I did mention this to the doctor on a routine visit and she said it sounded muscular.

 

Anyway,.. about three weeks ago I got a bad back.   It often happens to me.  One twist the wrong way or if I  pick something heavy up or just reach too far back to put my seat belt on then I am suffering.  Anyway this back pain came and it was quite sore in the back of my neck.  Once this went I noticed the pain in my arm was there almost most of the day... and then around my elbows were aching.  Then  my forarms.. when I say aching .. I mean in side.. like the muscle.   Then the palm of my hands below my thumbs started and ontop of my hands between the index and fore finger.   I thought this was carpel tunnel.  I went to the doctors who has booked me in for a xray on my hands.   

 

The next morning When I woke up.. I noticed it was in my bottom.. and the back of  my thighs... now this is only when i sit down.. its fine when i walk about.     Back to the doctors I went and she said she thinks I have Polymyalgia.  Im 42 years old!!!  Ive read it only happens to over 50 year olds.   She has booked me in for tests tomorrow. 

 

Will the blood tests show this Polymyalgia if I have it?

 

I was wondering what you thought of my symptoms.. my neck at times is very sore and im thinking trapped nerve.  Everytime I suggest to her its my back she says she dont think it is. 

 

IM very worried that its something else. 

 

First of all, since you are in the UK, have you found this site:

 

 

The first is a support site run by the UK charity for PMR and GCA, the second will lead you to a forum for PMR and GCA patients much like this one where you will find oceans of advice, sympathy and support from other people with the same problems.

 

Your symptoms are very similar to what I had - I had it for years whilst doctors said "can't be anything wrong, your bloods are normal". Eventually it wasn't just a bad back, sore biceps when I held the phone or carried something - it hit me like a ton of bricks! I could barely get out of bed. Still took 6 months for a doctor to offer me 15mg prednisolone a day as a trial - and within hours the symptoms were miles better.

 

Your doctor seems to be going on the clinical picture - which is good. Often younger patients don't have the abnormal blood values (the ESR and CRP which are signs of inflammation in your body but which can also be high with other things).  The UK support site has guidelines for diagnosis and treatment - and you will see that a dose of 15 - 20 mg/day of prednisolone typically makes the symptoms much better within 24-48 hours - not 100%, but dramatically. Some doctors take that as pretty much a confirmation - others don't.

 

However - those two sites will give you a load of support and sympathy and information. But for now - stop worrying - I know it is easy to say, but worrying will not help you as that can just make it all feel worse. You have a doctor who is taking you seriously about your complaints of discomfort and pain. That is a very good start. If it's PMR, it is not curable but it is manageable and liveable with, albeit you are unlikely to be back to pre-whatever it is levels of energy and what you can do. It doesn't kill and it isn't progressive - it's unlikely to condemn you to a life in a wheelchair and get worse and worse.

 

Get on over to those other sites and get the information you need to stand up for yourself and be your own advocate. between this site and the others you will get all sorts of help and I'll see you over at the patient experience UK site where you will receive a warm welcome - not that we want any more friends as they only appear when they might have PMR

MrsE... thankyou so much.. Im going to look at them sites now.  I have health anxiety too so I know I am stressing.   Ive been up since 3.30am worrying about a headache I have that might be Giant Cell.   Ive stressed over many many things but not as much as this.  But .. your message has helped.  I will try to calm down.   I am at the doctors today for the blood tests.  They wont be back till monday or tuesday and I hate the fact I have to wait that long.

Hi NickyUK, I hope you are feeling better and your mind is more at ease. Just wanted to say that for a long time before I was diagnosed, I thought I had a back and neck problem, too.  I even went to a spinal orthopedist (surgeon) and I was very frustrated that he didn't seem to recognize any of my symptoms as relating to what my x-rays showed.  (As it turned out, I did have some spinal problems, but fairly common ones and none that needed surgery). After I got diagnosed with PMR it made sense, and I was thankful that he didn't rush to an immediate judgment about what I had.

I think you will find a lot of support at this group, so stay tuned.  It's a good place to vent and get feedback!

freesia
freesia2011-03-08 10:41:38Have your doc prescribe you 30 mg of prednisone for a few days.If the symptoms go away it will confirm PMR. You can then go lower with the prednisone and see what mgs you can start at. Don't test with 15 mgs .That did not take my pain away. Test it with at least 30mg for 3 days.First piece of advice is ignore haylee the spammer.

Second piece of advice is listen to Mrs. E and the others, they are giving you good advice!Hi Nicky, try not to worry. There are at least 2 senior members on this forum who will answer your questions in detail and/or refer you to links where you can get more knowledge.  They also provide good support. Keep posting. hi nicky, i too was very worried and anxious.coming on here and reading about everyone else really helps.any question you have will be answered.it is scary,but remember you are not alone.take care and well x
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