Hi. I just found this site, and was interested to read
the symptoms other people have with PMR. I was
diagnosed over 4 years ago at age 52. A 2 week trial
dose of prednisone made me feel normal after hurting
for several months. My primary care doc sent me to a
rheumatologist who told me "Your sed rate isn't high
enough (it was 40 at the time), you're not old enough,
and I don't want you taking prednisone." That was it,
and he sent me home. I hurt for another year, our
insurance changed, and I was sent to a new
rheumatologist. He agreed with the original diagnosis
of PMR, and put me back on prednisone. Insurance
changed, another rheumy, who put me on plaquenil after
a year of prednisone, and 36 pounds weight gain(in the
meantime, she left her practice and went into
research). I got frustrated with it all in mid April
and quit all meds. My new rheumy is a dear, and is
giving me some time to try to lose weight. About 17
pounds so far, and that may have to be good. At my last
visit, my sed rate was up to 62, and since it had been
climbing over the past 9 months, he really wants me to
go back on prednisone. Another blood test next week,
and I will probably agree. I am tired of hurting, and
it is worse in some ways than at the first. Was
interesting to note that several of you have had the
bottom of your feet hurt. That started for me about 9
months ago. I thought this was supposed to be a
self-limiting disease, but this is going on 5 years
now, and seems worse now than at the beginning. Am
hoping that since I've been eating better, and have
started walking with a neighbor - 3-5 miles a day
several days a week - that the weight will stabilize or
maybe even drop. I remember how hungry I always was
while on prednisone. Will have to ignore that now. My
husband says it is better for me not to hurt than to be
thin. Isn't he sweet? I can empathize with those who
say they have had to curtail activities so much since
getting PMR. Me, too, although there are some things I
refuse to give up entirely. Still do gardening (with
raised beds), and try to exercise to some extent most
days, even if I hurt. Sorry this is so long. Just had
to vent. Thanks.
What made my doctor finally say (after three months of different tests) that I had PMR was by taking a biopsy in the left temple. It seems as if nobody else on this forum has done that to get a diagnosis. I have read that this is the best test in a diagnosis. Try this for instance http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/polymyalgia/index.htm
In this site http://www.arthritis.ca/types%20of%20arthritis/polymyalgia%2 0rheumatica/default.asp?s=1 different kinds of exercise is mentioned. I am happy to have stayed on the weight I had when I started taking prednisone over a year ago. Then I had gone down 6-7 kg which is about 14 lb. I take walks and also use my bike.
No one has done the artery biopsy, since I don't haveRDSwede:
What were your symptoms with Giant Cell Arteritis?
I have been plagued with horrific jaw/temple pain when in a flare-up. The M.D. has mentioned doing a biopsy. What was it like?
Thanks-Rosey